Orthodontic Brackets Including a Ceramic or Polymer Bracket Base and a Metal Insert Having a Selectively Removable Labial Web Cover

Convertible orthodontic brackets () of the present invention include a bracket base () formed of a ceramic and/or polymeric material () and a metal insert () defining an arch wire hole or tube received within a slot of the bracket base. The metal insert () includes a gingival sidewall (), an occlusal sidewall (), a lingual bottom wall ( ), and a selectively removable labial web cover () extending between gingival and occlusal sidewalls (). The metal insert () may be formed as a single, integral piece of metal, preferably by machining. The metal insert () may be formed using stronger metals which are unsuitable for use in metal injection molding processes. 1. A convertible orthodontic bracket comprising:a bracket base including a slot and being formed of a ceramic and/or polymeric material; anda metal insert received within the slot of the bracket base, the metal insert defining an arch wire hole bounded by a lingual bottom wall, a gingival to sidewall, and an occlusal sidewall of the metal insert, the metal insert further including a removable labial web cover extending between the gingival and occlusal sidewalls over a labial surface of the arch wire hole, wherein the lingual bottom wall, the gingival and occlusal sidewalls, and the removable labial web cover comprise an integral single piece of metal.2. An orthodontic bracket as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bracket base comprises a ceramic.3. An orthodontic bracket as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bracket base comprises a polymeric material.4. An orthodontic bracket as recited in claim 1 , wherein the metal insert comprises at least one of 17-4 or 17-7 class stainless steel.5. An orthodontic bracket as recited in claim 1 , wherein the metal insert is formed by machining.6. An orthodontic bracket as recited in claim 1 , wherein the labial web cover includes:a first connecting web region of reduced cross-sectional thickness extending between the gingival sidewall on one side of the first connecting web region ...

Coordinated Metal And Ceramic Orthodontic Bracket Systems

Coordinated metal and ceramic orthodontic bracket systems () allow a practitioner to insert one or more ceramic brackets () into a metal bracket system (), replacing selected metal brackets (′) with ceramic brackets (), and vice-versa. Thus, both a ceramic bracket system () and a metal bracket system () are provided, in which corresponding brackets of each system include substantially identical “in-out” slot floor cross-sectional thicknesses so that corresponding brackets are interchangeable with each other, without any need for compensating bends or later treatment to correct unintended buccal-lingual tooth movement. 1. A coordinated metal and ceramic orthodontic bracket system configured for interchangeable placement of individual brackets into a bracket system for placement on a single dental arch , comprising: a ceramic bracket bonding pad;', 'a ceramic base extending labially away from the bonding pad; and', 'an arch wire slot formed within the ceramic base;', 'wherein the ceramic bracket has a buccal-lingual slot floor cross-sectional thickness defined from a tooth attachment surface of the ceramic bracket bonding pad to a lingual floor of the arch wire slot; and, 'a ceramic orthodontic bracket system comprising a plurality of orthodontic brackets formed of ceramic, each ceramic bracket being configured for placement on a selected tooth of a dental arch, each ceramic orthodontic bracket including a metal bracket bonding pad;', 'a metal base extending labially from the metal bracket bonding pad; and', 'an arch wire slot formed within the metal base;, 'a metal orthodontic bracket system comprising a plurality of orthodontic brackets formed of metal, each metal bracket being configured for placement on a selected tooth of the dental arch, each metal orthodontic bracket includingwherein a buccal-lingual slot floor cross-sectional thickness of each metal bracket defined from a tooth attachment surface of the metal bracket bonding pad to a lingual floor of the arch ...

Orthodontic bracket axis indicator

An orthodontic bracket axis indicator for use with an orthodontic bracket including a long slot intersecting with an archwire slot having a base surface and first and second opposed slot surfaces extending from the base surface includes an insert having first and second elongate cross members having first and second top surfaces, respectively, and arranged generally perpendicular to each other such that, when viewed from above, the insert has a generally cruciform shape. First and second grooves extend along the first and second top surfaces of the first and second cross members, respectively, and are each configured to receive an orthodontic tool. The first cross member is configured to be received by the archwire slot and the second cross member is configured to be received by the long slot in order to provide an interference fit between the insert and the orthodontic bracket.

FLUORIDE RELEASING BITE PLATE

The present disclosure relates to biteplates for use with various orthodontic remodeling devices, wherein the bite plate releases fluoride during use, thus encouraging remineralization on enamel. Additionally, bite plates with a colorant or color-changing matrix that serve as indicators for fluoride concentration are also described. 1) A fluoride-releasing bite plate comprising:a) an intraoral bite plate comprising a fluoride-releasing material and a color indicator;b) said intraoral bite plate having a substantially U-shaped surface for contacting an occlusal surface of teeth;c) said U-shaped bite plate having an outside edge having upper and lower rims to contact an upper and lower facial surfaces of teeth and gums;d) said U-shaped bite plate having an inside edge having optional upper and lower rims to contact at least a portion of an upper and lower lingual surfaces of teeth and gums;e) said U-shaped bite plate also having a connector for reversibly coupling said bite plate to a separate extraoral orthodontic remodeling device.2) The fluoride-releasing bite plate of claim 1 , wherein said orthodontic remodeling device vibrates at a single frequency between 1-400 Hz and at a force between 0.1-5 Newtons.3) The fluoride-releasing bite plate of claim 1 , wherein said orthodontic remodeling device vibrates at a single frequency of 30 Hz and at a force of 0.2 Newtons.4) The fluoride-releasing bite plate of claim 1 , wherein said orthodontic remodeling device is held in place during usage by teeth clamping on the bite plate and lacks other head attachment means.5) The fluoride-releasing bite plate of claim 1 , wherein said fluoride-releasing material is stannous fluoride or sodium fluoride or silver fluoride.6) The fluoride-releasing bite plate of claim 1 , wherein said fluoride-releasing material is micronized fluoride-containing filler in a polymeric substrate.7) The fluoride-releasing bite plate of claim 1 , wherein said bite plate comprising a polymer selected from ...

CLASS II/III CORRECTOR ACCOMODATING BITE PLATES

Improved bite plates for use with orthodontic vibratory devices and devices offering other treatment modalities. The bite plates are specifically designed to be used with Class II and II correctors, such as the Herbst appliance. Such bite plates can be used with a variety of treatment modalities, including laser, IR, micropulse, vibration, and combinations thereof. 1) An orthodontic remodeling device comprising an extra-oral driver and a bite plate , said bite plate comprising:i) an inner core in an U-shape to contact occlusal surfaces of a patient's incisors, cuspids and premolars;ii) said inner core covered with a flexible biocompatible polymer;iii) said flexible biocompatible polymer shaped to have an outside edge having upper and lower rims to contact upper and lower facial surfaces of said patient's incisors, but not premolars or molars; and,iv) wherein the bite plate has a connector at a median line thereon for reversibly coupling to said driver.2) The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1 , wherein said bite plate has upper and lower rims to contact upper and lower lingual surfaces of said patient's incisors and cuspids.3) The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1 , wherein said bite plate has upper and lower rims to contact upper and lower lingual surfaces of said patient's incisors claim 1 , cuspids and first premolar.4) The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1 , wherein said bite plate has upper and lower rims to contact upper and lower lingual surfaces of said patient's incisors claim 1 , cuspids claim 1 , and premolars.5) The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1 , wherein said bite plate has upper and lower rims to contact upper and lower lingual surfaces of said patient's incisors claim 1 , cuspids claim 1 , premolars and one or more molars.6) The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1 , wherein said biocompatible polymer comprises medical grade silicone and said inner core comprises polycarbonate.7) The orthodontic remodeling device of ...

COATED ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME

An orthodontic appliance includes a nano-pillar coating on an external surface that is visible during use of the orthodontic appliance. The nano-pillar coating may absorb 99% of the incident visible light; has a pillar-like structure with pillar structures having a point that widens to a base; has a negative index of refraction at wavelengths in the visible light spectrum; and/or does not include nano rods. An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body that includes an archwire slot, and a nano-pillar coating on an external surface of the bracket body. A movable member is movable between an opened position and a closed position, and the nano-pillar coating is on one or more external surfaces of the movable member. The bracket body is a ceramic and may be transparent or translucent. A method of making an orthodontic bracket includes forming a nano-pillar coating on at least a portion of the bracket body. 1. An orthodontic appliance comprising:a nano-pillar coating on one or more external surfaces that are visible during use of the orthodontic appliance.2. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the nano-pillar coating is configured to absorb 99% of the incident visible light.3. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the nano-pillar coating has a pillar-like structure that includes a plurality of pillar structures claim 1 , each pillar structure including a point that widens to a base.4. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the nano-pillar coating has a negative index of refraction at wavelengths in the visible light spectrum.5. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the nano-pillar coating does not include nano rods.6. An orthodontic bracket comprising:a bracket body that includes an archwire slot, anda nano-pillar coating on one or more external surfaces of the bracket body that are visible during use of the orthodontic bracket.7. The orthodontic bracket of claim 6 , wherein the nano-pillar coating is configured to absorb 99% of the ...

Coordinated metal and ceramic orthodontic bracket systems

Orthodontic brackets with pointed tie wings for improved ligation

Orthodontic brackets (100) formed by machining include tie wings (108) that are pointed at the free end (114) to assist the practitioner in installing ligatures. The bracket (100) includes a bracket body (104) including an arch wire slot (106) formed in the body (104), at least one gingival tie wing, and at least one occlusal tie wing. The free ends (112) of each tie wing (108) extend away from the slot (106). Advantageously, the free end (112) of each tie wing is machined so as to include a compound taper along a distal portion of the tie wing (108). The compound taper creates tapers in the tie wing cross-sectional thickness in both a lingual-buccal dimension (116, 118) as well as in a mesial-distal dimension (120, 122) towards a pointed tip (114) at the distal free end of the tie wing (108). The tapered, pointed free end (114) of the tie wing (108) creates a "purchase point" on which the practitioner can easily hook a standard elastomeric o-ring ligature.

Orthodontic attachment device and pin

An orthodontic attachment device (20) especially useful for coupling interarch and intra-arch appliances to an archwire includes an elongated wire (22) that extends alongside the archwire. The wire (22) is fixed to a crimpable connector (24) having a passageway (26) that receives the archwire. Wall portions (28) surrounding the passageway (26) are deformable in directions toward the passageway (26) in order to non-rotatably couple the device (20) to the archwire. In certain embodiments, a pin having an offset section is connected to the appliance at a location remote from the attachment device (20) in order to increase free play of the appliance when the patient's jaws are opened.

Coordinated metal and ceramic orthodontic bracket systems

Coordinated metal and ceramic orthodontic bracket systems (100) allow a practitioner to insert one or more ceramic brackets (102, 104, 106, 108) into a metal bracket system (1001), replacing selected metal brackets (102', 1041, 106', 108') with ceramic brackets (102, 104, 106, 108), and vice- versa. Thus, both a ceramic bracket system (100) and a metal bracket system (1001) are provided, in which corresponding brackets of each system include substantially identical "in-out" slot floor cross-sectional thicknesses so that corresponding brackets are interchangeable with each other, without any need for compensating bends or later treatment to correct unintended buccal-lingual tooth movement.

Orthodontic bracket system

A novel orthodontic bracket system comprised of orthodontic appliances, such as brackets or buccal tubes, with a vertical instead of conventional horizontal slot orientation. The occlusal-gingival slot orientation minimizes the risk of unintentional debonding of the bracket as a result of insertion and removal of the archwire. An archwire retention mechanism designed to guide, retain and/or seat the archwire. The archwire retention mechanism releases the archwire from the archwire slot whenever appropriate force is applied, or manipulation of physical properties of the material are altered by the operator.

Orthodontic bracket system

Attachment device for intra-oral orthodontic appliance

An orthodontic attachment device connects an intra-oral appliance to other orthodontic components in the oral cavity. The attachment device is particularly useful for telescoping-type interarch appliances that tend to reposition one dental arch relative to the other dental arch. The attachment device includes a first section that is non-rotatably connected to an archwire, and a second section that has an opening. The opening of the second section pivotally receives a coupler of the interarch appliance.

Fluoride releasing bite plate

The present disclosure relates to bite plates for use with various orthodontic remodeling devices. A bite plate that releases fluoride during use, thus encouraging remineralization on enamel is described. Additionally, bite plates with a colorant or color-changing matrix that serve as indicators for fluoride concentration are also described.