US20070134611A1 - Shape memory self-ligating orthodontic brackets - Google Patents
Shape memory self-ligating orthodontic brackets Download PDFInfo
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- US20070134611A1 US20070134611A1 US11/705,521 US70552107A US2007134611A1 US 20070134611 A1 US20070134611 A1 US 20070134611A1 US 70552107 A US70552107 A US 70552107A US 2007134611 A1 US2007134611 A1 US 2007134611A1
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- tie wing
- ligating orthodontic
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
- A61C7/12—Brackets; Arch wires; Combinations thereof; Accessories therefor
- A61C7/28—Securing arch wire to bracket
- A61C7/30—Securing arch wire to bracket by resilient means; Dispensers therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
- A61C7/12—Brackets; Arch wires; Combinations thereof; Accessories therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
- A61C7/12—Brackets; Arch wires; Combinations thereof; Accessories therefor
- A61C7/14—Brackets; Fixing brackets to teeth
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
- A61C7/12—Brackets; Arch wires; Combinations thereof; Accessories therefor
- A61C7/14—Brackets; Fixing brackets to teeth
- A61C7/16—Brackets; Fixing brackets to teeth specially adapted to be cemented to teeth
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
- A61C7/12—Brackets; Arch wires; Combinations thereof; Accessories therefor
- A61C7/28—Securing arch wire to bracket
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C2201/00—Material properties
- A61C2201/007—Material properties using shape memory effect
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- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
Abstract
Self-ligating orthodontic brackets, each of which is formed of materials exhibiting shape memory and includes a base from which extend at least one tie wing. The tie wing includes a pair or tie wing posts which are normally spaced to retain an archwire within the guide slot. At least one of each pair of opposing tie wings is flexible and/or yieldable relative to the other to permit insertion and/or removal of the archwire relative to the guide slot. Portions of the brackets may be coated to reduce friction between the archwire slot and the archwire and to promote aesthetics and overall bracket appearance.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/882,165 to Nicholson, filed Jul. 2, 2004, entitled “Shape Memory Self-Ligating Orthodontic Brackets,” the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention is generally directed to orthodontic brackets that are used to align teeth and that include at least one tie wing having a pair of tie wing posts to selectively and guidingly receive an archwire within an archwire guide slot defined between the tie wing posts. More specifically, the invention is directed to self-ligating orthodontic brackets at least partially formed from shape memory metallic or non-metallic materials.
- 2. Brief Description of Related Art
- Generally, there are two basic styles of orthodontic brackets. A first style is known as a single wing wherein a single tie wing extends upwardly from a bracket base. The tie wing includes a pair of opposing tie wing posts that are spaced to define an archwire guide slot therebetween. An example of a self-ligating single wing style bracket is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,385 to Tepper.
- Twin brackets are the second style of brackets and have been developed to increase ease of bracket use and placement. Twin brackets include a pair of opposing tie wings which are spaced from one another with each tie wing defining an archwire guide slot therebetween. An example of such a twin bracket is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,361 to Sachdeva et al., wherein the bracket is formed of titanium so as to be very hard and rigid. An example teaching away from a spaced pair of tie wings is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,289 to Watanabe, wherein the brackets are formed of shape memory alloys or resins.
- A variation of the twin bracket style has been developed to make the twin brackets self-ligating in order to avoid the necessity to tie-off the archwire used with the brackets. Such self-ligating twin brackets use supplemental hooks or latches which are mounted adjacent to each pair of tie wings for securely engaging or clamping an archwire. Unfortunately, the additional structures not only increase bracket costs and size, but also decrease bracket aesthetics and provide additional structures for trapping food and bacteria. Thus, the additional structures associated with conventional self-ligating brackets cause problems for both patients and orthodontists during treatments. An example of such a bracket is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,612 to Georgakis et al.
- Orthodontists are faced with many treatment difficulties as they bond orthodontic brackets to a patient's teeth and move them from crooked and irregular malocclusion positions to their ideal positions. The ideal alignment of teeth demands that they must be straight and aesthetically pleasing, but the teeth must also fit together correctly into normal occlusion and look and function in a superior clinical manner. There are a number of major challenges that orthodontists must overcome to produce this superior clinical result.
- There is often limited access to areas of the teeth where brackets must be placed to achieve normal orthodontic movement and produce superior treatment results. Useful areas are small with access thereto very restricted, in which case, large brackets are not used successfully; whereas, smaller and compact size brackets can be placed in small areas and have enjoyed exceptional popularity among orthodontists.
- Ideal bracket placement on a patient's teeth is also necessary to produce ideal tooth alignment and achieve exceptional orthodontic results. To accomplish this necessary goal of ideal placement, brackets must often fit into small spaces between crooked and rotated teeth. For example, a recessed point, vertical scribe line, or horizontal groove located in the approximate center of a bracket permits an orthodontist to use a measuring device, such as a Boone Gauge, to precisely position the bracket on a tooth in an exact desired position. In addition, color-coded recessed markings on the brackets assist the orthodontist visually to align and orient the bracket correctly on the teeth.
- Complete archwire engagement of the brackets on the teeth during various stages of orthodontic treatment is important, but may not be possible. Many times, due to crooked alignment and closeness of the teeth, only some of the posts of the tie wings of the brackets can be engaged at the same time. This can result in an uncontrolled and unsatisfactory tooth movement. A smaller bracket size permits more tie wing posts to be engaged and subsequently improves tooth movement.
- The tooth movement process that is required to straighten teeth is very dynamic and constantly changing. The orthodontist must have brackets that will accommodate the dynamics of tooth movement and not require replacement with new ones when a certain movement is required due to the difficulty of a patient's case. Further, attachments such as Kobayashi hooks, removeable hook pins, uprighting springs, metal ligatures, directional force elastics, elastomeric ties, or elastomeric power chains are often used during various stages of orthodontic treatment. An orthodontist places these attachments to tie wing posts or in vertical slots to satisfactorily accomplish different aspects of a treatment.
- Friction occurs as a normal part of tooth movement as a bracket and tooth slide along an archwire. This process is known as the sliding mechanics of orthodontics. More points of contact between the archwire and a bracket slot during this process causes greater friction, which results in slower tooth movement and makes the treatment take longer. Larger brackets have increased friction resistance to tooth movement, and thus treatment involving larger brackets is lengthy and more complicated to complete.
- The aesthetic demands of an orthodontic patient are many and must be addressed to make a treatment acceptable to the patient. Smaller and less noticeable brackets are more aesthetic than larger brackets, and the bracket aesthetics can be further improved. The single wing and double wing brackets allow the orthodontists to attach colorful elastics, elastomeric ties, and elastomeric power chains to the brackets that are pleasing to the patient.
- A further major challenge to orthodontic treatment is the cleanliness of the brackets and areas where they are bonded or banded to the teeth. It is difficult for patients to clean areas adjacent to brackets and tooth surfaces. Bracket elements function as plaque traps that increase the chance of permanent stains, tooth decay, and gum disease. The use of larger brackets makes it much more difficult for patients to keep their braces clean. The smaller bracket designs are much easier for patients to clean and greatly reduces the amount of trapped food. Thus, smaller brackets are less likely to cause stains, tooth decay, or gum disease.
- During the course of orthodontic treatment, archwires are placed and removed from the archwire slot as a normal part of treatment. Since most orthodontic brackets are made of stainless steel, both the bracket and archwire slots are rigid and inflexible. Once an archwire is placed in an archwire slot, the archwire must be tied or ligated in place to prevent the archwire from coming out of the bracket and injuring the patient. The process of tying and untying every bracket to secure the archwire is a tedious and laborious procedure that must be repeated each time a new archwire is placed or removed. This process is time consuming and uncomfortable for the patient and inefficient for the orthodontist. Self-ligating brackets have the advantage of using various mechanisms to secure archwires in the archwire slots without the need for metal or elastic ligatures. However, the current self-ligating brackets are bulky and cumbersome to use in the small confines of the oral cavity.
- In the 1980's, nickel-titanium was introduced to orthodontics in the form of archwires named Nitinol™. The flexibility, shape-memory effect, and super-elasticity of Nitinol™ archwires offered a new wire that could be deflected to engage misaligned teeth and would return to its original form, thereby straightening the teeth. The flexibility, shape memory effect, and superelastic nickel-titanium material has not, however, been used to construct a flexible bracket that looks and is shaped like the traditional stainless steel brackets.
- This invention is directed to orthodontic brackets, wherein each bracket comprising a unitary body structure including a base from which extends at least one tie wing having a pair of tie wing posts. Each tie wing post includes a head portion and a body portion, and each pair of opposing tie wing posts defines an archwire guide slot therebetween that is usually of a dimension between approximately 0.018″ to 0.022″ to slidingly receive an archwire. The head portion of each tie wing post has an inner flange which is spaced closely adjacent to, or in contact with, an inner flange of an opposing tie wing post in a normal position so as to prevent unplanned removal of an archwire seated within the archwire guide slot between the tie wing posts. The head portion of each tie wing post further includes an outwardly extending flange which may be used for securing archwires with ligating wires or for adding other attachments that may be required during a patient's treatment.
- In the present invention, an orthodontic bracket includes at least one tie wing post that is formed of a shape memory material, such as a metallic alloy, including nickel-titanium, or a non-metallic material, including resin and polymer type materials, so that at least one tie wing of the bracket exhibits some degree of flexibility and shape memory. Thus, at least one of the opposing tie wing posts may be flexed such that the head portions of the opposing tie wing posts may separate to a distance to permit the insertion and/or removal of an archwire relative to the archwire guide slot defined therebetween. The nickel-titanium alloy or other material exhibiting a shape memory causes the tie wing post or posts to return to a pre-determined position after an archwire is either inserted into or removed from the slot between the tie wing posts. In preferred embodiments, at least one of each of the opposing tie wing posts of at least one tie wing is formed of a shape memory material so that the at least one tie wing post may be flexed to permit insertion and/or removal of an archwire from the guide slot.
- In a twin bracket embodiment of the present invention, a pair of opposing tie wings are spaced from one another and extend from the front surface of a bracket base such that the archwire slots formed between the tie wing posts of each tie wing are generally axially aligned relative to one another. In other preferred embodiments of the invention, either a recessed point, scribe line, or horizontal groove is provided at or along the approximate center of each bracket base for purposes of precision alignment of the bracket with respect to a tooth using an instrument, such as Boone gauge.
- To reduce friction between an archwire and the orthodontic brackets of the present invention, at least a portion of the brackets, may be coated with a metallic material, a non-metallic material, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material, such as Teflon™, a thermosetting polymer, or other polymeric coatings with or without a coupling agent to form a smooth surface between the bracket and the archwire. To promote adherence of the coating, the brackets may be physically, chemically, or otherwise treated, such as by a blasting process, chemical etching, micro-etching, or the like. Archwires associated with the brackets of the present invention may also be similarly coated.
- As opposed to plastic or polymer coatings, the brackets of the present invention may be plated or electroplated with a metallic material, such as nickel, gold, copper, silver or the like, in order to reduce friction of the bracket surface to promote sliding of an archwire relative to the brackets during patient treatment and/or to enhance aesthetics.
- It is a primary object of the present invention to provide orthodontic brackets which are self-ligating and which are entirely or partially formed of a shape memory metallic material, including alloys, such as nickel-titanium, or a shape memory non-metallic materials, including resins and polymer type materials, so as to allow flexibility of at least one tie wing post when a bracket base is securely bonded to a tooth or welded to a band that is cemented to a tooth. Further, the shape memory material allows the components of the bracket to exhibit super elasticity so that at least one of the tie wing posts may be flexed to permit insertion and removal of an archwire therebetween and thereafter immediately recover to a predetermined configuration and position to retain the archwire in the slot defined between each pair of opposing tie wing posts.
- It is another object of the invention to provide self-ligating orthodontic brackets that are formed at least partially of a shape memory material and that includes a pair of tie wings, wherein at last one of pair of tie wings includes a recess or area of reduced thickness to facilitate flexing of the at least one pair of tie wings to permit insertion or removal of an archwire through an opening between the tie wings relative to an archwire guide slot, afterwhich the tie wings close relative to one another.
- It is also an object of the invention to provide self-ligating orthodontic brackets that are formed at least partially of a shape memory material and that include at least one tie wing that can be moved to permit insertion and/or removal of an archwire between tie wing posts and thereafter recover to a predetermined position. At least one tie wing post includes a flange which extends toward an opposing tie wing post to thereby normally retain an archwire within the archwire guide slot defined between the tie wing posts.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide nickel-titanium orthodontic brackets that include a pair of opposing tie wings, each of which defines an archwire slot therebetween. The tie wings are spaced relative to each other so that each bracket may be used in an initial position for treatment wherein an archwire may only pass through one tie wing and thereafter may be adjusted such that the archwire passes through the guide slots of both tie wings as treatment progresses.
- It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide nickel-titanium or other shape memory type orthodontic brackets which may be coated with metallic or non-metallic materials in such a manner as to reduce friction to thereby further facilitate the sliding movement of an archwire relative to the brackets during patient treatment and/or to enhance aesthetics.
- It is also an object of the present invention to enhance the aesthetic appearance of orthodontic brackets by providing nickel-titanium alloy or other shape memory material orthodontic brackets which may be coated in various colors to promote style depending on patient preferences.
- The flexibility of the nickel-titanium or other shape memory self-ligating brackets with their small compact design makes them easier to use in the small confines of a patient's mouth which will give the orthodontist additional treatment options of using ligatures, additional attachments, and/or auxiliaries to hold archwires in place in the bracket slots. Thus, these brackets solve the limitations of current self-ligating brackets.
- The small compact flexible tie wings of the brackets of the invention, with and without a coating, will permit orthodontists to overcome the many challenges they face during treatment and alignment of a patient's teeth. Thus, the orthodontic brackets of the present invention will make the patient's visits to the orthodontist to have their braces adjusted a much less complicated process and overall more comfortable and quicker, resulting in making the overall treatment experience a more pleasant one while achieving superior results for the patient.
- A better understanding of the invention will be had with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
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FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a twin bracket embodiment of an orthodontic bracket of the present invention; -
FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of the twin bracket ofFIG. 1 , showing both opposing tie wings being unflexed before insertion of an archwire relative to a guide slot defined between a pair of opposing tie wing posts of each of the tie wings of the bracket; -
FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of the twin bracket ofFIG. 1 , showing both opposing tie wing posts flexing to permit insertion of an archwire therebetween; -
FIG. 2C is a side elevational view of the twin bracket ofFIG. 2A with an archwire seated within the archwire guide slot after the tie wings have returned back to their initial positions shown inFIG. 2A ; -
FIG. 3A is a view similar to 2A, except only one tie wing post of each tie wing is formed of a shape memory material and except one inner flange of the pair of tie wing posts is larger than the opposing inner flange; -
FIG. 3B is a side elevational view of the twin bracket ofFIG. 3A showing only one tie wing post of each tie wing being flexed to permit insertion of an archwire within the guide slot between the opposing tie wing posts of each tie wing; -
FIG. 3C is a side elevational view of the twin bracket ofFIG. 3A showing the archwire seated in the slot between the tie wing posts after the tie wing posts have returned back to their initial positions shown inFIG. 3A ; -
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the twin bracket shown inFIGS. 3A-3C where only one tie wing post includes an inner flange; -
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another twin bracket embodiment of an orthodontic bracket according to the invention; -
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a further twin bracket embodiment of an orthodontic bracket in accordance with the invention; -
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an additional twin bracket embodiment of an orthodontic bracket in accordance with the invention; -
FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of a single wing bracket embodiment of an orthodontic bracket according to the invention, showing an identification recess on one tie wing; -
FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of a modified form of the bracket shown inFIG. 8A ; -
FIG. 9 is a top elevational view of the bracket ofFIG. 8A ; -
FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of a single wing Lewis-type bracket embodiment of an orthodontic bracket according to the invention, showing an identification recess on one tie wing; -
FIG. 10B is a front perspective view of a modified form of the Lewis-type bracket shown inFIG. 10A ; -
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the Lewis-type bracket ofFIG. 10A , showing both opposing tie wing posts being unflexed before insertion of an archwire relative to a guide slot defined between opposing tie wing posts of the bracket; -
FIG. 12A is a front perspective view of a single wing Lang-type bracket embodiment of an orthodontic bracket according to the invention; -
FIG. 12B is a front perspective view of a modified form of the Lang-type bracket shown inFIG. 12A ; -
FIG. 13 is a top elevational view of the Lang-type bracket ofFIG. 12A ; -
FIG. 14A is a front perspective view of a single wing Creekmore-type bracket embodiment of an orthodontic bracket according to the invention; -
FIG. 14B is a front perspective view of a modified form of the Creekmore-type bracket shown inFIG. 14A ; -
FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the Creekmore-type bracket ofFIG. 14A , showing both opposing tie wing posts being unflexed before insertion of an archwire relative to a guide slot defined between opposing tie wing posts of the bracket; -
FIG. 16A is a front perspective view of the twin bracket ofFIG. 1 having a central recess, a vertical scribe line, a hook, and identification recesses on one tie wing post of each tie wing; -
FIG. 16B is a front perspective view of a modified form of the twin bracket ofFIG. 16A having a central recess, a vertical scribe line, and an identification recess on one tie wing; -
FIG. 17A is a front perspective view of a modified form of the twin bracket ofFIG. 1 having a central recess, a vertical scribe line, a hook, and an identification recess on one tie wing; -
FIG. 17B is a front perspective view of a modified form of the twin bracket ofFIG. 17A having a central recess, a vertical scribe line and an identification recess on one tie wing post of each tie wing; -
FIG. 18A is a front perspective view of a modified form of the twin bracket ofFIG. 1 having a central recess, a vertical scribe line, a vertical slot, and an identification recess on one tie wing post of one tie wing of the bracket; -
FIG. 18B is a front perspective view of a modified form of the twin bracket ofFIG. 18A having a central recess, a vertical scribe line, a vertical slot, and an identification recess on one tie wing; -
FIG. 18C is a side elevational view of the twin bracket ofFIG. 18A ; -
FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a modified form of the twin bracket ofFIG. 18A having a vertical scribe line, a vertical slot, and an identification recess on one tie wing post of one tie wing of the bracket; -
FIG. 20A is a front perspective view of a hybrid bracket embodiment of the invention having an identification recess on one tie wing of the bracket; -
FIG. 20B is a front perspective view of a modified form of the hybrid bracket ofFIG. 20A ; -
FIG. 20C is another top perspective view of the hybrid bracket ofFIG. 20A ; -
FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of the twin bracket ofFIG. 1 showing a mesh base; -
FIG. 22A is a front perspective view of a torque-in-base configuration of the twin bracket ofFIG. 1 having a vertical scribe line, a hook, and an identification recess on one tie wing; -
FIG. 22B is a front perspective view of a modified form of the torque-in-base twin bracket ofFIG. 22A ; -
FIG. 22C is a side elevational view of the torque-in-base twin bracket ofFIG. 22A ; -
FIG. 23A is a front perspective view of a torque-in-slot configuration of the twin bracket ofFIG. 1 having a vertical scribe line, a hook, and an identification recess on one tie wing; -
FIG. 23B is a front perspective view of a modified form of the torque-in-slot twin bracket ofFIG. 23A ; and -
FIG. 23C is a side elevational view of the torque-in-slot twin bracket ofFIG. 23A . - With reference to
FIGS. 1-2C , 16A, and 21, a twin bracket embodiment oforthodontic bracket 10 of the present invention comprises a unitary body structure including a contouredbase 12 having afront surface 13 and a reartooth engaging surface 14. Therear surface 14 is generally slightly concavely contoured so as to match the surface contour of a patient's tooth. - The
rear surface 14 has a bonding pad with amesh 15, as shown inFIG. 21 , such that thebracket 10 may be bonded securely to a patient's tooth or welded to a band cemented to the tooth. Themesh 15 is preferably a 80-100 gauge mesh. As an alternative to themesh 15, therear surface 14 may include a plurality of grooves or mechanical undercuts to ensure thebracket 10 can be securely bonded to a patient's tooth. Further, a bonding strength of the bond between themesh 15, grooves, and/or undercuts and a tooth may be enhanced by a micro-etching process. - The
orthodontic bracket 10 further includes a pair of spaced opposingtie wings central recess 17 which is formed generally centrally of thefront surface 13 of thebracket base 12. Therecess 17 is used to facilitate alignment of thebracket 10 relative to a patient's tooth using an instrument such as a Boone gauge. Further, a linear groove, such as avertical scribe line 42, may be also provided in thefront surface 13 of thebracket base 12 for facilitating alignment, such as shown inFIG. 16A . Further, both therecess 17 and thevertical scribe line 42 can be used with other embodiments of the invention. - The
bracket 10 may also include auxiliary attachments, such as Kobayashi hooks, removeable hook pins, ligature wires, directional force elastics, elastomeric ligatures, elastomeric power chains, and uprighting springs, which are often used during various stages of orthodontic treatment. These attachments can be secured to various parts of a bracket, including slots, such as vertical slots, and tie wings. As shown inFIG. 16A , thebracket 10 includes ahook 44 which is secured to thetie wing 20. Auxiliary attachments, such as thehook 44, can be used with other embodiments of the invention. - The
bracket 10 may also include one or more color-coded identification recesses 46, as shown inFIG. 16A . Theidentification recess 46 is a small depression which is often filled with a colored material. The identification recess enables an orthodontist to determine how thebracket 10 should be positioned on a patient's tooth. For example, a yellow identification recess may indicate the portion of thebracket 10 which should be placed on the distal gingival edge of a tooth. Further, theidentification recess 46 can be used with other embodiments of the invention. - Each of the
tie wings base portion 18 from which extend a pair oftie wing posts tie wing posts upper head portion parallel posts archwire guide slot 26 of approximately 0.018 to 0.022 inch therebetween to slidingly engage anarchwire 30. - The shape memory brackets of the present invention are self-ligating. That is, at least one of the posts of one tie wing is formed of a shape memory material. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-2C , both of the opposing pair oftie wings tie wings FIG. 2B , to permit insertion or removal of thearchwire 30 relative to theguide slot 26. In preferred embodiments, brackets of the present invention are formed of a shape memory material, such as a nickel-titanium material, both along thebase 12 and thetie wings posts FIG. 2A , thehead portions FIG. 2B , to permit the insertion or removal of thearchwire 30. Once force is removed, theposts FIG. 2C . Shape memory materials, such as metallic materials, including alloys, and non-metallic materials, including resins and polymer-type materials, that exhibit a shape memory may be used. - To securely retain an
archwire 30 within theguide slot 26, eachhead portion tie wing post FIG. 2A , includes an inner opposingflange inner flanges archwire 30. In some embodiments, theflanges inner flanges FIGS. 2A-2C . - Each
head portion tie wing post tie wing flange head portions inner flanges - As opposed to each
tie wing tie wings front surface 13 of thebracket base 12. - An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIGS. 3A-3C . In this embodiment, only one tie wing post or a portion of one tie wing post of each pair oftie wing posts 22′ and 23′ of opposing pair oftie wings 20′ and 21′ is formed of a shape memory material so as to be flexed from a predetermined or rest position, as shown onFIG. 3A , to a spaced position, as shown by the arrow inFIG. 3B , to permit insertion or removal of thearchwire 30 relative to anarchwire slot 26′. Thereafter, the tie wing post or portion of the tie wing post will return to the predetermined or rest position, as shown in aFIG. 3C . Thebracket 10′ of this embodiment is otherwise the same as thebracket 10 previously described. Accordingly, thebracket 10′ includes abracket base 12′ and a pair of opposingtie wings 20′ and 21′. Each of thetie wings 20′ and 21′ includestie wing posts 22′ and 23′ havinghead portions 24′ and 25′, respectively. Further each of thehead portions 24′ and 25′ include an inner opposingflange 31′ and 32′, respectively, and anouter flange 34′ and 35′, respectively. - The
inner flanges 31′ and 32′ define an opening “D,” as previously defined. Also, the inner flanges one of theinner flanges 31′ and 32′ may be larger than an opposing inner flange, as shown inFIGS. 3A-3C . - A modification of the twin orthodontic bracket shown in
FIGS. 3A-3C is shown inFIG. 4 . In this embodiment, only onetie wing post 22′ of each pair of opposingtie wing posts 22′ and 23′ of each of thetie wings 20′ and 21′ includes aninner flange 31′ which defines the opening “D,” as previously defined. As shown, there is no inner flange associated withtie wing post 23′. The functioning of thebracket 10′ is otherwise the same as described with respect toFIGS. 3A-3C . - As illustrated in
FIG. 5 , to further promote the flexing of a tie wing and/or wings, grooves, such as shown at 37, may be provided adjacent to the inner portion of each of thetie wing posts 22A and 23A. This facilitates a flexing of thetie wings bracket 10A of this embodiment is shown as being smaller than that of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 , such that the opposing pair oftie wings bracket 10A includes abase 12A andtie wings archwire guide slots 26A therebetween. The provision of agroove 37 to promote flexing may also be used in other embodiments of the invention. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , to achieve additional flexing of the tie wing and/or tie wings, the thickness of thetie wing posts 22C and 23C may be reduced in an area, such as shown at 38. Thebracket 10C of this embodiment is shown as being smaller than that of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 such that the opposing pair oftie wings bracket 10C includes abase 12C andtie wings archwire guide 26C therebetween. The provision of reduced thickness of thetie wing posts 22C and 23C to achieve additional flexing may also be used in other embodiments of the invention. - As an alternative to the embodiment of the twin bracket shown in
FIG. 7 , another embodiment to promote flexing of a tie wing and/or tie wings is shown inFIG. 16B . Instead of the thickness of the tie wing posts being reduced in a limited area, a bracket 10D includes a pair of opposing tie wings 20D and 21D, each having a pair oftie wing posts 22D and 23D, respectively, that each have an outerconcave surface 39. The concaveouter surface 39 of each of thetie wing posts 22D and 23D essentially provides areas of reduced thickness so as to provide additional flexing of the tie wings 20D and 21D. - Like the
bracket 10 shown inFIGS. 1-2C and 16A, the bracket 10D includes abase 12D and a pair of tie wings 20D and 21D defining archwire guide slots 26D therebetween. The -bracket 10D also includes acentral recess 17, avertical scribe line 42, and aidentification recess 46 located on one of the tie wings to aid in positioning the bracket 10D on a patient's tooth. The provision of aconcave surface 39 to promote flexing may also be used in other embodiments of the invention. - The bracket of the invention can also be designed to provide various torques, angulations, and in/out thickness variations, which are useful during orthodontic treatments. Torque-in-base and slot angulation, which are illustrated in
FIGS. 22A-22C , and torque-in-slot and slot angulation, which are illustrated inFIGS. 23A-23C , and in/out thickness variations, such as shown inFIG. 19 , are examples of a such bracket designs. Further, the provisions for providing torques, angulations, and in/out thicknesses can be used with the various embodiments of the present invention. - In a torque-in-base and slot angulation configuration shown in
FIGS. 22A-22C , atwin bracket 10″ includes a contouredbase 12″ and a pair of spaced opposingtie wings 20″ and 21″ which are shown as being spaced on opposite sides of acentral recess 17 which is formed generally centrally of thebracket base 12″. Thebracket 10″ also includes avertical scribe line 42, ahook 44, and a color-coded identification recess on each of thetie wings 20″ and 21″. - Each of the
tie wings 20″ and 21″ includes abase portion 18″ from which extend tie wings a pair oftie wing posts 22″ and 23″. Each of thetie wing posts 23″ and 24″ include anupper head portion 24″ and 25″, respectively. Each pair of the generallyparallel posts 22″ and 23″ define anarchwire guide slot 26″ to slidingly engage an archwire. - In a torque-in-base and slot angulation configuration, the heights, namely the distances between the
bracket base 12″ and thehead portions 24″ and 25″, and angles of each of thetie wing posts 22″ and 23″, respectively, are different. As shown inFIGS. 22A-22C ,tie wing post 22″ is higher thantie wing post 23″ so as to provide a torque to a patient's tooth when thebracket 10″ engages an archwire. -
FIG. 22B shows a modified form of thebracket 10″ shown inFIGS. 22A and 22C . The bracket configuration ofFIG. 22B promotes flexing of a tie wing and/or tie wings. Each of thetie wing posts 22″ and 23″ have an outerconcave surface 39 to provide additional flexing of thetie wings 20″ and 21″. - In a torque-in-slot and slot angulation configuration, the depths and angles, namely the distances between the base 12″ and the
head portions 24″ and 25″ of each of thetie wing posts 22″ and 23″, respectively, of portions of theguide slot 26″ are different. As shown inFIGS. 23A-23C , a portion of theguide slot 26″ adjacenttie wing post 23″ is deeper than a portion of theguide slot 26″ adjacent thetie wing post 22″ so as to provide a torque on a patient's tooth when thebracket 10″ engages an archwire. - Like
FIG. 22B ,FIG. 23B shows a modified form of thebracket 10″ shown inFIGS. 23A and 23C . The bracket configuration ofFIG. 23B promotes flexing of a tie wing and/or tie wings. Each of thetie wing posts 22″ and 23″ have an outerconcave surface 39 to provide additional flexing of thetie wings 20″ and 21″. - Whether utilizing a torque-in-base or torque-in-slot configuration, an angle of the archwire guide slot can be adjusted to accommodate different tooth variations. Since the angulation is in the archwire guide slot, a use of a rhomboidal design of the bracket exterior is useful to ensure that the archwire guide slot aligns with a guide slot of an adjacent bracket.
- In a variation of in/out thickness, the heights, namely the distances between a bracket base and an archwire guide slot, and angles vary to compensate for different tooth sizes. For example, the height of a bracket 10G shown in
FIG. 19 is larger than thebracket 10 shown inFIG. 1 so that the bracket 10G has a different in/out thickness than thebracket 10 ofFIG. 1 . - With reference to
FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, abracket 10B is formed of the same shape memory material and has a pair of opposingtie wings base 12B. However, thetie wings bracket base 12B and extend upwardly from a position more closely spaced to agingival edge 40 of thebracket base 12B. This structure permits correct bonding of brackets on short or gingivally displaced teeth. In this embodiment, a horizontalrecess alignment guide 40 is shown, as opposed to therecess 17, shown inFIG. 1 . In this embodiment, either one or both of the opposingtie wings - Another twin bracket embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIGS. 17A and 17B . Similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-2C and 16A, abracket 10E, as shown inFIG. 17A , includes a contouredbase 12E having afront surface 13E and a rear tooth engaging surface 14E. The rear surface 14E is generally slightly concavely contoured so as to match the surface contour of a patient's tooth. - The
orthodontic bracket 10E further includes a pair of spaced opposingtie wings 20E and 21E which are shown as being spaced on opposite sides of acentral recess 17, which is formed generally centrally of thefront surface 13E of thebracket base 12E. Unlike the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-2C and 16A, thebracket 10E also includes aplatform 50 which is secured to thebase 12E and extends between thetie wings 20E and 21E. Each of thetie wings 20E and 21E includes abase portion 18E attached theplatform 50. Preferably, the width of theplatform 50 is the same as the width of thebase portion 18E of each of thetie wings 20E and 21E. - The
tie wings 20E and 21E each include a pair oftie wing posts 22E and 23E. Each of thetie wing posts 22E and 23E include anupper head portion parallel posts 22E and 23E define anarchwire guide slot 26E therebetween to slidingly engage an archwire. - The
twin bracket 10E can also include auxiliary attachments and positioning aids. As shown inFIG. 17A ,.thebracket 10E includes ahook 44 and a color-codedidentification recess 46 located on one of thetie wings 20E and 21E. Thebracket 10E also includes acentral recess 17 and avertical scribe line 42. - A modified form of the twin bracket shown in
FIG. 17A is shown inFIG. 17B . Abracket 10E′ is designed to promote flexing of a tie wing and/or tie wings. Thebracket 10E′ includes abracket base 12E′ and a pair of opposingtie wings 20E′ and 21E′, each having a pair of tie wing posts 22E′ and 23E′ forming anarchwire guide slot 26E′ therebetween. Thebracket 10E′ is similar to thebracket 10E, except each of the tie wing posts 22E′ and 23E′ have an outerconcave surface 39 to provide additional flexing of thetie wings 20E′ and 21E′. Further, thebracket 10E′ includes an identification recess on each of thetie wings 20E′ and 21E′. - A further twin bracket embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIGS. 18A-18C . Similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-2C and 16A, abracket 10F, as shown inFIGS. 18A and 18C , includes a contouredbase 12F having afront surface 13F and a rear tooth engaging surface 14F. Theorthodontic bracket 10F further includes a pair of spaced opposingtie wings central recess 17, which is formed generally centrally of thefront surface 13F of thebracket base 12F. - Unlike the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-2C and 16A, thebracket 10F also includes aplatform 60 which is secured to thebase 12F and extends between thetie wings tie wings base portion 18F attached theplatform 60. Preferably, the width of theplatform 60 is the same as the width of thebase portion 18F of each of thetie wings twin bracket 10E shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B also utilizes aplatform 50, theplatform 60 ofbracket 10F is preferably higher than theplatform 50 of thebracket 10E and includes avertical slot 62 passing therethrough, as shown inFIG. 18C . - Like the
bracket 10 shown inFIGS. 1-2C and 16 and thebracket 10E shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B , thetie wings bracket 10F each include a pair oftie wing posts tie wing posts upper head portion parallel posts archwire guide slot 26F therebetween to slidingly engage an archwire. - The
twin bracket 10F can also include auxiliary attachments and positioning aids. As shown inFIG. 18A , thebracket 10F includes a color-codedindication recess 46 located on the head portion of one tie wing post of one of thetie wings bracket 10F also includes acentral recess 17 and avertical scribe line 42. - A modified form of the twin bracket shown in
FIG. 18A is shown inFIG. 18B . Abracket 10F′ is designed to promote flexing of a tie wing and/or tie wings. Thebracket 10F′ includes abracket base 12F′ and a pair of opposingtie wings 20F′ and 21F′, each having a pair oftie wing posts 22F′ and 23F′ forming anarchwire guide slot 26F′ therebetween. Thebracket 10F′ is similar to thebracket 10F, except each of thetie wing posts 22F′ and 23F′ have an outerconcave surface 39 to provide additional flexing of thetie wings 20F′ and 21F′. - Yet another twin bracket embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIG. 19 . Similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 18A and 18C , a bracket 10G, includes a contoured base 12G having a front surface 13G and a rear tooth engaging surface 14G. The orthodontic bracket 10G further includes a pair of spaced opposing tie wings 20G and 21G which are shown as being spaced on opposite sides of avertical scribe line 42. - The bracket 10G also includes a platform 70 which is secured to the base 12G and extends between the tie wings 20G and 21G. Preferably, the width of the platform 70 is the same as the width tie wings 20G and 21G, and the platform 70 includes a vertical slot 72 passing therethrough.
- Unlike the
bracket 10F, the tie wings 20G and 21G of the bracket 10G each include a pair oftie wing posts 22G and 23G which extend directly from the platform 70. The tie wings 20G and 21G do not include any base portion. Each of thetie wing posts 22G and 23G include an upper head portion 24G and 25G, respectively. Each pair of the generallyparallel posts 22G and 23G define an archwire guide slot 26G therebetween to slidingly engage an archwire. - Like the other embodiments of the invention, the twin bracket 10G can also include auxiliary attachments, color-coded identification recesses, and positioning aids. As shown in
FIG. 19 , the bracket 10G includes a color-codedidentification recess 46 located on the head portion of one tie wing post of one of the tie wings 20G and 21G. - With the structure of the twin embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to apply the bracket to extremely twisted or crooked teeth wherein only a single tie wing may be appropriately aligned with the tooth to receive an archwire. During treatment, the archwire may be seated within a single guide slot defined by one tie wing until such a time as a tooth can be moved to a position wherein the archwire may be aligned in the bracket slots of both tie wings. In this respect, the tie wings of the twin bracket embodiments of the invention define guide slots which are preferably axially aligned relative to one another along a line A-A as shown in
FIG. 1 . - In addition to a double tie wing configuration, the self-ligating bracket of the present invention may also be a single wing bracket. Further, many of the features set forth in the description of the twin bracket embodiments are applicable to the single wing and other embodiments of the present invention.
- With reference to
FIGS. 8A-9 , a single wingorthodontic bracket 110, as specifically shown inFIGS. 8A and 9 , comprises a unitary body structure including a contouredbase 112 having afront surface 113 and a reartooth engaging surface 114. Therear surface 114 is generally slightly concavely contoured so as to match the surface contour of a patient's tooth. Therear surface 114 has a bonding pad with a mesh so that thebracket 110 may be bonded securely to a patient's tooth or welded to a band cemented to the tooth. As previously described, the mesh is preferably of a 80-100 gauge mesh. As an alternative to the mesh, therear surface 114 may include a plurality of grooves and/or mechanical undercuts to ensure thebracket 110 can be secured to a patient's tooth. Further, a bond strength between the mesh, grooves, and/or undercuts and a tooth can be enhanced by a micro-etching process. - The
bracket 110 may also include auxiliary attachments, such as Kobayashi hooks, removeable hook pins, metal ligatures, directional force elastics, elastomeric ties, elastomeric power chains, and uprighting springs, which are often used during various stages of orthodontic treatment. These attachments can be secured to various parts of a bracket, including slots, such as vertical slots, and tie wings, and can be used with other embodiments of the invention. - The
bracket 110 may also include one or more color-coded identification recesses 46. As set forth above, theidentification recess 46 is a small depression which is often filled with a colored material. The identification recess enables an orthodontist to determine how thebracket 110 should be positioned on a patient's tooth. Theidentification recess 46, as well as other positioning aids, such as a central recess and a vertical or horizontal scribe line, can be used with other embodiments of the invention. - The
orthodontic bracket 110 further includes a tie wing 120 having abase portion 18 from which extend a pair oftie wing posts 122 and 123. Alternatively, as opposed to the tie wing 120 including a base portion, such as illustrated at 118, it is possible that the tie wing 120 is formed such that theposts 122 and 123 extend upwardly from thefront surface 113 of thebracket base 112. Each of thetie wing posts 122 and 123 includes anupper head portion parallel posts 122 and 123 define anarchwire guide slot 126 of approximately 0.018 to 0.022 inch therebetween to slidingly engage an archwire. - As stated above, the shape memory brackets of the present invention are self-ligating. With regard to the single wing embodiments, at least one of the tie wing posts, or a portion thereof, is formed of a shape memory material. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 8A-9 , both of the opposingtie wing posts 122 and 123 of the tie wing 120 are formed of a material which allows the tie wing 120 to flex to permit insertion or removal of the archwire relative to theguide slot 126. - In preferred embodiments, brackets of the present invention are formed of a shape memory metallic material, including alloys, such as a nickel-titanium material, or from a shape memory non-metallic material, including resins and polymer materials, both along the
base 112 and the tie wing 120. This material exhibits super-elasticity and, therefore, shape memory, such that when theposts 122 and 123 are flexed from a predetermined or rest position, thehead portions posts 122 and 123 return to the original predetermined positions. - To securely retain an archwire within the
guide slot 126, eachhead portion tie wing post 122 and 123, respectively, includes an inner opposingflange inner flange flange inner flange - Each
head portion tie wing post 122 and 123, respectively, further includes an outer tie wing fLang-typee head portions inner flange - As an alternative to the embodiment of the single wing bracket shown in
FIGS. 8A and 8C , another embodiment to promote flexing of a tie wing is shown inFIG. 8B . Abracket 110′ includes a base 112′ and atie wing 1201 having a pair of opposingtie wing posts 122′ and 123′ that each have an outerconcave surface 39. Thus, thebracket 110′ is essentially the same as thebracket 110 but includestie wing posts 122′ and 1231 having concaveouter surfaces 39. The concaveouter surface 39 of each of thetie wing posts 122′ and 123′ essentially provides areas of reduced thickness so as to provide additional flexing of the tie wing 120′. - A Lewis-type single wing bracket embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIGS. 10A-11 . The Lewis-type configuration can also be used in a twin bracket. Abracket 210, as shown inFIGS. 10A and 11 , includes a contouredbase 212 and atie wing 220 having abase portion 218 from which extend a pair oftie wing posts tie wing posts upper head portion parallel posts archwire guide slot 226 to slidingly engage anarchwire 30. - The Lewis-
type bracket 210 also includes aplatform 240 which extends across a width of thebase 212 along an axial line A-A. Instead of thebase portion 218 of thetie wing 220 being directly attached to thebracket base 212, thebase portion 218 is secured to theplatform 240 so that thearchwire guide slot 226 is elevated from the bracket base 212 a distance equal to the combined heights of thetie wing base 218 and theplatform 240, not just the height of thetie wing base 218. - The width of the
platform 240 is greater than the width of thebracket base 212 along the line A-A. As a result, theplatform 240 forms atab 242 projecting from either side of the tiewing base portion 218 along the line A-A. Further, eachtab 242 is bent upwardly toward thehead portions tie wing posts - At least one of the
tie wing posts FIG. 11 , thehead portions archwire 30. Once force is removed, the post returns to the original predetermined position. - To securely retain the
archwire 30 within theguide slot 226, eachhead portion tie wing posts flange tie wing flange type bracket 210 also includes a color-codedidentification recess 46 located on one of the tie wings. - A modified form of the Lewis-type bracket is shown in
FIG. 10B . Abracket 210′ is designed to promote flexing of a tie wing. Thebracket 210′ includes abracket base 212′ and atie wing 220′ having a pair oftie wing posts 222′ and 223′ forming anarchwire guide slot 326′ therebetween. Thebracket 210′ also includes aplatform 240′ which extends across thebracket base 212′ to form an upwardlybent tab 242′ on either side of thetie wing 220′. Thebracket 210′ is similar to thebracket 210, except each of thetie wing posts 222′ and 223′ have an outerconcave surface 39 to provide additional flexing of thetie wing 220′. - A Lang-type single wing bracket embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIGS. 12A-13 . The Lang-type configuration can also be used in a twin bracket. Abracket 310, as shown inFIGS. 12A and 13 , includes a contouredbase 312 and atie wing 320 having abase portion 318 from which extend a pair oftie wing posts upper head portion parallel posts archwire guide slot 326 to slidingly engage an archwire, and at least one of thetie wing posts guide slot 326, eachhead portion tie wing posts flange tie wing flange - The
bracket 310 also includes aplatform 340 which extends across a width of thebase 312 along an axial line A-A. Instead of thebase portion 318 of thetie wing 320 being directly attached to thebracket base 312, thebase portion 318 is secured to theplatform 340 so that thearchwire guide slot 326. Further, the width of theplatform 340 is greater than the width of thebracket base 312 along the line A-A. As a result, theplatform 340 forms atab 342 projecting from either side of the tiewing base portion 318 along the line A-A. Eachtab 342 includes anopening 343 formed therein. - A modified form of the Lang-type bracket is shown in
FIG. 12B . Abracket 310′ is designed to promote flexing of a tie wing. Thebracket 310′ includes abracket base 312′ and atie wing 320′ having a pair oftie wing posts 322′ and 323′ forming anarchwire guide slot 326′ therebetween. Thebracket 310′ also includes aplatform 340′ which extends across thebracket base 312′ to form atab 342′ with anopening 343′ on either side of thetie wing 320′. Thebracket 310′ is similar to thebracket 310, except each of thetie wing posts 322′ and 323′ have an outerconcave surface 39 to provide additional flexing of thetie wing 320′. - A Creekmore-type single wing bracket embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIGS. 14A-15 . The Creekmore-type configuration can also be used with a twin bracket. Abracket 410, as shown inFIGS. 14A and 15 , includes a contouredbase 412 and atie wing 420 having a base portion 418 from which extend a pair oftie wing posts 422 and 423. Thebracket 410 also includes a curledtab 442 projecting from either side of thebracket base 312 along an axial line A-A of thebracket 410. - Each of the
tie wing posts 422 and 423 includes anupper head portion parallel posts 422 and 423 define anarchwire guide slot 426 to slidingly engage anarchwire 30. At least one of thetie wing posts 422 and 423, or a portion thereof, is preferably formed from a shape memory material, such that when the post is flexed from a predetermined or rest position, shown inFIG. 15 , thehead portions archwire 30. Once force is removed, the post returns to the original predetermined position. Further, to securely retain thearchwire 30 within theguide slot 426, eachhead portion tie wing posts 422 and 423, respectively, includes an inner opposingflange tie wing flange - A modified form of the Creekmore-type bracket is shown in
FIG. 14B . Abracket 410′ is designed to promote flexing of a tie wing. Thebracket 410′ includes abracket base 412′ and atie wing 420′ having a pair of tie wing posts 422′ and 423′ forming anarchwire guide slot 426′ therebetween. Thebracket 410′ also includes a curledtab 442′ on either side of thebracket base 412′. Thebracket 410′ is similar to thebracket 410, except each of the tie wing posts 422′ and 423′ have an outerconcave surface 39 to provide additional flexing of thetie wing 420′. - In addition to double tie wing configurations and single tie wing designs, the self-ligating bracket of the present invention may also be a hybrid bracket. A hybrid bracket appears to have two tie wings, but the two tie wing structures are actually part of a single unitary structure. Thus, a hybrid bracket imparts characteristics of both single wing and double wing bracket configurations. Further, many of the features set forth in the description of the twin bracket and single wing bracket embodiments are applicable to the hybrid embodiments of the present invention.
- With reference to
FIGS. 20A-20C , a hybrid wingorthodontic bracket 510, as specifically shown inFIGS. 20A and 20C , comprises a unitary body structure including a contouredbase 512 having afront surface 513 and a reartooth engaging surface 514. Therear surface 514 is generally slightly concavely contoured so as to match the surface contour of a patient's tooth. - The
rear surface 514 has a bonding pad with a mesh so that thebracket 510 may be bonded securely to a patient's tooth or welded to a band cemented to the tooth. As previously described, the mesh is preferably a 80-100 gauge mesh. As an alternative to the mesh, therear surface 514 may include a plurality of grooves and/or mechanical undercuts to ensure thebracket 510 can be secured to a patient's tooth. Further, a bond strength between themesh 15, grooves, and/or mechanical undercuts and a tooth can be enhanced by a micro-etching process. - The
bracket 510 may also include auxiliary attachments, such as Kobayashi hooks, hooks, such ashook 44 shown inFIG. 20C , removeable hook pins, metal ligatures, directional force elastics, elastomeric ligature, elastomeric power chains, and uprighting springs, which are often used during various stages of orthodontic treatment. These attachments may be integrally formed with the bracket or removeable therefrom. Further, these attachments can be secured to various parts of a bracket, including slots, such as vertical slots, and tie wings, and can be used with other embodiments of the invention. Thebracket 510 may also include one or more color-coded identification recesses. As set forth above, the identification recess is a small depression which is often filled with a colored material. The identification recess enables an orthodontist to determine how thebracket 510 should be positioned on a patient's tooth. The identification recess, as well as other positioning aids, such as a central recess and a vertical or horizontal scribe line, can be used with other embodiments of the invention. - The
orthodontic bracket 510 further includes a singleelongated tie wing 520 having abase portion 518 from which extend two pair oftie wing posts bracket 510. Each pair of thetie wing posts upper head portion parallel posts archwire guide slot 526 of approximately 0.018 to 0.022 inch therebetween to slidingly engage an archwire. - As stated above, the shape memory brackets of the present invention are self-ligating. With regard to the single wing embodiments, at least one of the tie wing posts, or a portion thereof, is formed of a shape memory material. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 20A-20C , both of thetie wing posts tie wing 520 are formed of a material which allows thetie wing 520 to flex to permit insertion or removal of the archwire relative to theguide slot 526. - In preferred embodiments, brackets of the present invention are formed of a shape memory metallic material, including metallic alloys, such as a nickel-titanium material, and/or of a shape memory non-metallic material, including resins and polymer materials, both along the
base 512 and thetie wing 520. This material exhibits superelasticity and, therefore, shape memory, such that when theposts head portions posts - To securely retain an archwire within the
guide slot 526, thetie wing 520 includes inner opposingflanges 531 and 532, respectively. Theinner flanges 531 and 532 are spaced at a distance “D” of approximately 0.010-0.014 inch which is smaller than the diameter of the archwire. In some embodiments, theflanges 531 and 532 may actually touch one another such that the distance “D” is zero. Further, theinner flanges 531 and 532 may be the same or different sizes. - Each
head portion tie wing post tie wing flange head portions inner flanges 531 and 532, respectively, tapering downwardly and inwardly relative to one another. - As an alternative to the embodiment of the single wing bracket shown in
FIGS. 20A and 20C , another embodiment to promote flexing of a tie wing is shown inFIG. 20B . Abracket 510′ includes a base 512′ and atie wing 520′ having two pair of opposingtie wing posts 522′ and 523′ that each have an outerconcave surface 39. Thus, thebracket 510′ is essentially the same as thebracket 510 but includes asingle tie wing 520′ having two pairs oftie wing posts 522′ and 523′ with concaveouter surfaces 39. The concaveouter surface 39 of each of thetie wing posts 522′ and 523′ essentially provides areas of reduced thickness so as to provide additional flexing of thetie wing 520′. - As set forth above, the self-ligating brackets of the present invention can be twin brackets, single wing brackets, hybrid brackets, or any other type of bracket having any number of tie wings. The brackets of the invention can also include bracket bases and tie wings of any shape, thickness, material, or size, and the tie wings can be position in various locations and gingival offsets on the bracket bases. Further, the brackets of the present invention may be placed on various tooth surfaces, including the front surface and the rear surface of the tooth.
- Due to the shape memory material from which the brackets of the present invention are formed, very low friction surfaces are presented for guidingly engaging the archwire. The lower friction between the bracket and the archwire, the more smoothly and easily the archwire will function to move a patient's tooth to a desired position, thus facilitating patient treatment. In this respect, the present invention also provides for further decreasing the frictional surface resistance of the brackets by allowing the brackets to be coated with other materials. By way of example, except the bonding base pad or mesh, the surface of the brackets including the tie wings and base, especially in the area of the guide slots, may be plated or electroplated with metallic elements such as nickel, gold, copper, silver, or the like. As opposed to a plating with metallic material, the brackets, except the bonding base pad or mesh may be coated with different plastics including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) including Teflon™, thermosetting polymers or other polymers, with or without coupling agents which are specifically provided to create a smoother surface and thereby reduce friction.
- In accordance with the invention, the surface treatments may also include coloring agents. It may be desired to increase the aesthetic appearance of new orthodontic brackets by including coloring agents which would present hues of gold, tooth color, red, green, blue or other colors.
- To facilitate the coating process, the surface of the orthodontic bracket and the tie wings may be micro-etched, chemically etched, or mechanically pitted such as by blasting to create a surface roughness to facilitate bonding of a coating material.
- The orthodontic brackets of the present invention are preferably used with archwires which are also formed of a nickel-titanium material, such as Nitinol™, which is a superelastic metallic material which exhibits flexibility and has a shape memory.
- The flexibility of the nickel-titanium, or other material exhibiting shape memory, self-ligating brackets of the present invention and the small compact tie wing design of the invention make it easy for the brackets to be used in particularly difficult areas and small confines within a patient's mouth and may be used with or without the need for conventional elastic or metal ligatures to hold the archwire in place during patient treatment. Additionally, elastomeric colors, elastomeric ties, elastomeric power chains, directional elastics and/or various attachments may be added to the bracket to facilitate a smooth orthodontic treatment. The present invention promotes patient treatment by further facilitating an efficient mechanical movement between the archwire and the orthodontic brackets which will reduce patient treatment time and therefore increase patient comfort.
- The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of the embodiments encompassed within the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims (54)
1. A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising: a unitary body structure including a bracket base having front and rear surfaces and at least one tie wing, said at least one tie wing having a base portion extending from said front surface of said bracket base and at least one pair of opposing tie wing posts, said at least one pair of opposing tie wing posts defining an archwire guide slot therebetween of a first dimension to slidingly receive an archwire therein, each tie wing post of said at least one pair of opposing tie wing posts including a head portion, at least one head portion having an outwardly extending flange and at least one head portion having an inwardly extending flange, said inwardly extending flange being in a predetermined position relative to an opposing tie wing post to retain an archwire within said archwire guide slot, wherein at least a portion of the bracket being formed of a material such that at least one tie wing exhibits flexibility and shape memory effect allowing movement of said at least one tie wing to permit insertion or removal of an archwire relative to said archwire guide slot, afterwhich said at least one tie wing returns to the predetermined position.
2. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of spaced opposing tie wings, each of said opposing tie wings exhibits flexibility and shape memory effect.
3. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein each head portion of said at least one pair of opposing tie wing posts includes an inwardly extending flange.
4. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein said bracket base and said at least one tie wing are formed of a material which exhibits shape memory effect.
5. The self-ligating orthodontic brackets of claim 3 , wherein said material is a nickel-titanium material.
6. The self-ligating orthodontic brackets of claim 2 , wherein said material is a nickel-titanium material.
7. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein said material is a nickel-titanium material.
8. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , further comprising an area of reduced thickness adjacent to said base portion of at least one of said opposing tie wing posts of said at least one tie wing to facilitate flexing.
9. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said opposing tie wing posts has an area of reduced thickness to promote flexing of said at least one tie wing.
10. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , further comprising an alignment recess formed centrally in said front surface of said bracket base.
11. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , further comprising a horizontal alignment recess formed centrally in said front surface of said bracket base.
12. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , further comprising a vertical alignment recess formed centrally in said front surface of said bracket base.
13. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 2 , wherein said pair of spaced opposing tie wings are aligned with one another and spaced adjacent a gingival edge of said bracket base.
14. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 13 , further comprising an alignment recess formed centrally in said front surface of said bracket base.
15. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 13 further comprising a horizontal alignment recess formed centrally in said front surface of said bracket base.
16. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein said bracket base and said at least one tie wing are coated with a coating material selected from a group of materials consisting of metallic materials, non-metallic materials, and polymers.
17. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 16 , wherein said non-metallic polymers are thermosetting polymers.
18. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 16 , wherein said coating material includes a coloring agent.
19. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein at least one archwire guide slot is coated with a coating material selected from a group of materials exhibiting a low coefficient of friction consisting of metallic materials and non-metallic polymers.
20. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 19 , wherein said non-metallic polymers are thermosetting polymers.
21. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 19 , in which said coating material includes a coloring agent.
22. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 19 , wherein the coating material is a material applied by electroplating.
23. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein said material is selected from a group of materials exhibiting shape memory consisting of metallic materials and non-metallic materials.
24. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary attachment.
25. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24 , wherein the auxiliary attachment is selected from the group consisting of Kobayashi hooks, removeable hook pins, hooks, uprighting springs, pins, metal ligatures, directional force elastics, elastomeric ligatures, and elastomeric power chains.
26. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 2 , further comprising an auxiliary attachment.
27. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 26 , wherein the auxiliary attachment is selected from the group consisting of Kobayashi hooks, hooks, removeable hook pins, uprighting springs, pins, metal ligatures, directional force elastics, elastomeric ligatures, and elastomeric power chains.
28. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , further comprising at least one identification recess.
29. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 28 , wherein said at least one identification recess is color-coded.
30. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , further comprising a platform located between said bracket base and said base portion of said at least one tie wing.
31. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 30 , wherein the platform includes a vertical slot therethrough.
32. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31 , further comprising an area of reduced thickness adjacent to said base portion of at least one of said opposing tie wing posts of said at least one tie wing to facilitate flexing.
33. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 2 , further comprising a platform located between said bracket base and said base portion of said at least one tie wing, said platform including a vertical slot therethrough.
34. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 33 , further comprising an area of reduced thickness adjacent to said base portion of at least one of said opposing tie wing posts of said at least one tie wing to facilitate flexing.
35. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is a Lewis-type bracket.
36. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 35 , further comprising an area of reduced thickness adjacent to said base portion of at least one of said opposing tie wing posts of said at least one tie wing to facilitate flexing.
37. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is a Lang-type bracket.
38. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 37 , further comprising an area of reduced thickness adjacent to said base portion of at least one of said opposing tie wing posts of said at least one tie wing to facilitate flexing.
39. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is a Creekmore-type bracket.
40. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 39 , further comprising an area of reduced thickness adjacent to said base portion of at least one of said opposing tie wing posts of said at least one tie wing to facilitate flexing.
41. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is a hybrid bracket.
42. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 41 , further comprising an area of reduced thickness adjacent to said base portion of at least one of said opposing tie wing posts of said at least one tie wing to facilitate flexing.
43. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is of a torque-in-base configuration.
44. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 43 , wherein the bracket is of a slot angulation configuration.
45. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is of a torque-in-slot configuration.
46. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 45 , wherein the bracket is of a slot angulation configuration.
47. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 2 , wherein the bracket is a Lewis-type bracket.
48. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 47 , further comprising an area of reduced thickness adjacent to said base portion of at least one of said opposing tie wing posts of said at least one tie wing to facilitate flexing.
49. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 2 , wherein the bracket is a Lang-type bracket.
50. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 49 , further comprising an area of reduced thickness adjacent to said base portion of at least one of said opposing tie wing posts of said at least one tie wing to facilitate flexing.
51. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 2 , wherein the bracket is a Creekmore-type bracket.
52. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 51 , further comprising an area of reduced thickness adjacent to said base portion of at least one of said opposing tie wing posts of said at least one tie wing to facilitate flexing.
53. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 2 , wherein the bracket is of a torque-in-base configuration and of a slot angulation configuration.
54. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket-of claim 2 , wherein the bracket is of a torque-in-slot configuration and of a slot angulation configuration.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/705,521 US20070134611A1 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2007-02-13 | Shape memory self-ligating orthodontic brackets |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/882,165 US7175428B2 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2004-07-02 | Shape memory self-ligating orthodontic brackets |
US11/705,521 US20070134611A1 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2007-02-13 | Shape memory self-ligating orthodontic brackets |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/882,165 Continuation-In-Part US7175428B2 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2004-07-02 | Shape memory self-ligating orthodontic brackets |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070134611A1 true US20070134611A1 (en) | 2007-06-14 |
Family
ID=35514378
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/882,165 Expired - Fee Related US7175428B2 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2004-07-02 | Shape memory self-ligating orthodontic brackets |
US11/705,521 Abandoned US20070134611A1 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2007-02-13 | Shape memory self-ligating orthodontic brackets |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/882,165 Expired - Fee Related US7175428B2 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2004-07-02 | Shape memory self-ligating orthodontic brackets |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7175428B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1768598A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4779125B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100907346B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101014296B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2005270023B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0512905A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2511246C (en) |
HK (1) | HK1110493A1 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ552721A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006014378A2 (en) |
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Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090176183A1 (en) * | 2008-01-09 | 2009-07-09 | Tp Orthodontics, Inc. | Lubricious metal orthodontic appliance |
US8251696B2 (en) | 2008-08-13 | 2012-08-28 | Ormco Corporation | Aesthetic orthodontic bracket and method of making same |
US9717569B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2017-08-01 | Ormco Corporation | Surface treated polycrystalline ceramic orthodontic bracket and method of making same |
US20120270174A1 (en) * | 2009-09-25 | 2012-10-25 | Antoine Meley | Orthodontic working arch wire, and orthodontic treatment system including said arch wire |
US9629695B2 (en) * | 2009-09-25 | 2017-04-25 | Antoine Meley | Orthodontic working anatomic arch, and orthodontic treatment system including anatomic wire |
US20120052459A1 (en) * | 2010-08-27 | 2012-03-01 | Beijing Smart Technology Co., Ltd. | Monolithic metallic self-ligating bracket with locking catch devices |
EP2457535A1 (en) * | 2010-11-25 | 2012-05-30 | Enrique Solano Reina | Archwire bracket for orthodontics |
US9271810B2 (en) | 2010-11-25 | 2016-03-01 | José Enrique Solano Reina | Orthodontic archwire bracket |
US11510757B2 (en) | 2012-10-30 | 2022-11-29 | University Of Southern California | Orthodontic appliance with snap fitted, non-sliding archwire |
US11058520B2 (en) | 2012-10-30 | 2021-07-13 | University Of Southern California | Orthodontic appliance with snap fitted, non-sliding archwire |
US11129696B2 (en) | 2012-10-30 | 2021-09-28 | University Of Southern California | Orthodontic appliance with snap fitted, non-sliding archwire |
US11510758B2 (en) | 2012-10-30 | 2022-11-29 | University Of Southern California | Orthodontic appliance with snap fitted, non-sliding archwire |
US11517405B2 (en) | 2012-10-30 | 2022-12-06 | University Of Southern California | Orthodontic appliance with snap fitted, non-sliding archwire |
US11612459B2 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2023-03-28 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Indirect orthodontic bonding systems and methods for bracket placement |
US11911971B2 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2024-02-27 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Indirect orthodontic bonding systems and methods for bracket placement |
US10881489B2 (en) | 2017-01-31 | 2021-01-05 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Hybrid orthodontic archwires |
US11957536B2 (en) | 2017-01-31 | 2024-04-16 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Hybrid orthodontic archwires |
US11612458B1 (en) | 2017-03-31 | 2023-03-28 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Method of tongue preconditioning in preparation for lingual orthodontic treatment |
US11058517B2 (en) | 2017-04-21 | 2021-07-13 | Swift Health Systems Inc. | Indirect bonding trays, non-sliding orthodontic appliances, and registration systems for use thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BRPI0512905A (en) | 2008-04-15 |
NZ552721A (en) | 2010-09-30 |
EP1768598A4 (en) | 2008-09-03 |
JP4779125B2 (en) | 2011-09-28 |
KR20070035054A (en) | 2007-03-29 |
JP2008504903A (en) | 2008-02-21 |
US7175428B2 (en) | 2007-02-13 |
WO2006014378A2 (en) | 2006-02-09 |
HK1110493A1 (en) | 2008-07-18 |
CA2511246C (en) | 2009-04-21 |
CN101014296A (en) | 2007-08-08 |
CA2511246A1 (en) | 2006-01-02 |
AU2005270023B2 (en) | 2008-11-13 |
US20060003281A1 (en) | 2006-01-05 |
EP1768598A2 (en) | 2007-04-04 |
AU2005270023A1 (en) | 2006-02-09 |
CN101014296B (en) | 2011-06-15 |
WO2006014378A3 (en) | 2006-07-06 |
KR100907346B1 (en) | 2009-07-10 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |