3m Innovative Properties Company

Top-service Für Lingualtechnik Gmbh

Hans-Christian Krueger

Ruedger Rubbert

Ming-Lai Lai

Calvin N Corpus

An orthodontic appliance includes a body () and at least one clip () connected to the body for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot (). The body and each clip have matching, generally oval-shaped external profiles that present a compact, low-profile configuration. Each clip includes at least one prong () that engages a tab for helping to retain the clip in connected relationship to the body. Each tab is connected to the body by a protrusion that has a top surface coplanar with a bottom wall of the archwire slot.

Low profile self-ligating orthodontic appliance with clip

A system to manufacture orthodontic appliances, program product, and associated methods are provided. An embodiment of a system can include a virtual orthodontic appliance design computer having orthodontic appliance design program product provided to design a virtual dimensional representation of an orthodontic appliance including bracket bodies and bracket pads, and a mold apparatus positioned to form each bracket body and bracket pad. The system also includes a data processing computer including computer-aided manufacturing program product provided to derive electrical discharge device control instructions including a virtual dimensional representation of a bracket slot in the bracket, and an electrical discharge machining apparatus. The electrical discharge machining apparatus can include a controller including control program product to derive a control signal carrying the electrical discharge device control instructions and an electrical discharge device.

Growing community of inventors

Berlin, Germany

Hans-Christian Krueger