Rmo, Inc.

Jeffrey A Peterson

Steven A Franseen

Steve A Franseen

An improved edgewise orthodontic bracket is disclosed. In one embodiment, a bracket (10) comprises a single pair of opposing T-shaped tie wings (12, 14) which define an archwire slot (18) therebetween. Notches (20) are provided on each of the mesial and distal sides of the center leg (28) of each T-shaped tie wing (12, 14) for selectively receiving a ligating device. The notches (20) are defined in the gingival/occlusal edges of the tie wings (12, 14) and comprise sloped portions (24) that extend labially towards the archwire slot (18). Convex sidewall portions (42) and convex floor portions (44) are provided in the archwire slot (18) adjacent to the notches (20). An auxiliary slot (70) may be centrally disposed under the center legs (28) of the opposing T-shaped tie wings (12, 14). Alternatively, twin auxiliary slots (80) may be disposed under the convex archwire slot floor portions (44). An integral T-shaped hook (50) may be provided as a cantilevered extension from the center leg (28) of one of the T-shaped tie wings (12, 14) for use in attachment of traction devices.

Edgewise orthodontic bracket

Rails (38) project from a mesial edge (40) and a distal edge (42) of a base (28) of an orthodontic appliance (30) forming a gap between the base (28) and a surface (32) of a tooth (34). At least one post (44) projects from the base (28) between the rails (38). The rails (38) and post (44) are dimensioned to substantially preclude post/tooth contact and reduce the likelihood of appliance detachment from a curved tooth surface. The posts (44) are formed to resist shear forces associated with mastication and to facilitate the smooth flow of bonding material about the posts (44) when the base (28) is pressed against a tooth surface (32) during bonding.

Orthodontic appliance mounting base

An edgewise bracket (10) is provided with notches (34, 36, 38 and 40) in wing tips (24, 25, 26 and 27), respectively. The notches (24, 25, 26 and 27) are generally concave and have a mesiodistal width slightly greater or slightly less than the thickness of an archwire retaining device (32) depending on whether the device (32) is a metallic wire or an elastomeric ligature. The archwire retaining device (32) is inserted into the notches (34, 36, 38, and 40) to retain an archwire (30) within a slot (28) which has a depth greater than a thickness of the archwire (30). The device (32) has selectively reduced undesired frictional contact with the archwire (30), and, therefore, frictional interference between the device (32) and the archwire (30), and the archwire (30) and the bracket (10) is reduced or eliminated.

Orthodontic bracket and method

An improved orthodontic bracket (44) has a slot (46) therein for receiving an archwire. The slot (46) has oppositely facing sidewalls (48 and 50) and a base (52). The base (52) has a protrusion (54) thereon thus forming a continuously curving surface including the sidewalls (48 and 50), the base (52) and the protrusion (54). An archwire placed in the slot (46) will rest upon the protrusion (54) rather than the base (52) or the sidewalls (48 and 50). Therefore, the archwire may be placed at a uniform depth regardless of the shape of the wire and stress is reduced in the slot (46).

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Aurora, CO, United States of America

Jeffrey A Peterson