The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 01, 2017
Filed:
Nov. 12, 2009
Rodolfo Rodriguez, Mira Loma, CA (US);
Albert Ruiz-vela, Alta Loma, CA (US);
Farrokh Farzin-nia, Inglewood, CA (US);
William W. Wood, Pasadena, CA (US);
Rodolfo Rodriguez, Mira Loma, CA (US);
Albert Ruiz-Vela, Alta Loma, CA (US);
Farrokh Farzin-Nia, Inglewood, CA (US);
William W. Wood, Pasadena, CA (US);
Ormco Corporation, Orange, CA (US);
Abstract
An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth. The orthodontic bracket including a ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body including an archwire slot that is configured to receive the archwire therein. The CIM bracket body including a polycrystalline ceramic. A coating of alumina or silicon dioxide is in continuous and direct contact with at least the surfaces of the archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket is characterized by unexpectedly high torque strength. The ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body may include a polycrystalline ceramic having a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 μm to about 6 μm such that the orthodontic bracket is also characterized by unexpectedly high fracture toughness. A method of making the orthodontic bracket includes injection molding a bracket using a ceramic powder, sintering the molded bracket, and coating the ceramic injection molded bracket.