# US 12,765,971 B2 · Self-ligating orthodontic bracket > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,765,971 B2 - Document ID: US12765971B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/922,610 - Filed: 2021-04-23 - Published: 2023-06-01 - Granted: 2026-10-20 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-04 - Assignees: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company - Applicants: Solventum Intellectual Properties Company - Inventors: Ming-Lai Lai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12765971B2 ## CPC - A61C 7/287: {Sliding locks} - A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00) ## Abstract The present disclosure provides high strength, self-ligating appliances with orthodontically desirable dimensions. The appliances of the present disclosure incorporate a door slidably engaged to a channel in the body; one that can be opened or closed depending on the equilibrium position of an integral protrusion on the door. Cooperating grooves and rails on the body and the door can guide the door between the open and closed positions and mitigate against unintentional detachment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An orthodontic appliance comprising: a base having a bonding surface, a body extending outwardly from the base, the body including a mesial-distally extending archwire slot having a bottom wall and an occlusal-gingivally extending channel offset from a central axis of the body, a mesial door support section and a distal door support section formed on the body and separated by the channel, wherein the mesial door support section has a greater volume than the distal door support section; a door slidably coupled to the body and moveable between an open state, in which an archwire is positionable within the archwire slot, and a closed state, in which the archwire is retained within the archwire slot, wherein, in the closed state, the door extends over and covers the mesial door support section and the distal door support section, and a portion of the door is positioned above a central portion of the archwire slot and above at least a portion of each of the mesial and distal door support sections, wherein the door is slidable along a direction that is oblique to the bottom wall of the archwire slot, wherein a lingual surface of the door includes at least one groove extending through at least a portion of an occlusal-gingival height of the door, and wherein, in the closed state, a portion of the groove is positioned over the archwire slot, and wherein a beam is deflectable in a direction toward a bottom of the channel to allow the door to transition between the open state and the closed state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the door includes a strut extending from a lingual surface and dividing the lingual surface into first and second side surfaces on either side of the strut, wherein the strut is slidably received in the channel, and wherein an area of a first side surface is greater than an area of a second side surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the door has a lingual surface that includes coplanar mesial and distal surfaces, wherein the bottom wall forms an acute angle with the mesial and distal surfaces, and wherein the lingual surface includes a leading edge region that has planar contacting surfaces that are substantially parallel to the bottom wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The orthodontic appliance of claim 2, wherein the channel further comprises a latch oriented generally perpendicular to the channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The orthodontic appliance of claim 2, wherein the strut includes at least one channel extending along a mesial or distal side of the strut, and wherein the body includes at least one guide rail that is slidably engaged in the at least one channel of the strut. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the door opens in a generally gingival direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the body includes a hook protruding from a gingival region of the body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The orthodontic appliance of claim 7, wherein the hook includes a distally extending portion that protrudes to an end point, with the end point residing substantially adjacent the central axis of the body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The orthodontic appliance of claim 8, wherein the end point of the hook does not extend to a mesial edge of the channel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the door includes a strut, the channel includes a latch, and wherein the latch is disposed between an occlusal leading projection of the strut and a gingival trailing projection of the strut when the orthodontic appliance is assembled. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein a mesial edge of the mesial door support section is generally parallel to a distal edge of the distal door support section, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the channel is substantially parallel to the distal edge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein a mesial edge of the channel is displaced from the central axis of the body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the mesial door support section includes a first maximum width and the distal door support section includes a second maximum width, and wherein the first maximum width is at least 1.25 times greater than the second maximum width. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The orthodontic appliance of claim 13, wherein the first maximum width is at least 1.75 times greater than the second maximum width. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The orthodontic appliance of claim 14, wherein the mesial door support section includes a mesial edge and a distal edge adjacent the channel, and wherein the maximum width is measured between the mesial edge and the distal edge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the door includes a strut, wherein a lingual surface of the door includes a mesial groove and a distal groove on opposing sides of the strut, and wherein a mesial-distal width of the mesial groove is at least 1.25 times greater than a mesial-distal width of the distal groove. ### Claim 17 An orthodontic appliance comprising: a base having a bonding surface; a body extending outwardly from the base, the body including a mesial-distally extending archwire slot and an occlusal-gingivally extending channel offset from a central axis of the body; and a door slidably coupled to the body and movable between an open state and a closed state, wherein the door includes a strut having an occlusal leading projection, a gingival trailing projection, and a protrusion disposed between the occlusal leading projection and the gingival trailing projection, and wherein the strut is slidably received in the channel; wherein, in the closed state, the door extends over and covers a plurality of door support sections formed on the body, and a portion of the door is positioned above a central portion of the archwire slot and above at least a portion of the plurality of door support sections, and wherein the door is slidable along a direction that is oblique to a bottom wall of the archwire slot, and wherein a beam is deflectable in a direction toward a bottom of the channel to allow the door to transition between the open state and the closed state. ### Claim 18 An orthodontic appliance comprising: a base having a bonding surface; a body extending outwardly from the base, the body including a mesial-distally extending archwire slot and an occlusal-gingivally extending channel offset from a central axis of the body; and a door slidably coupled to the body and movable between an open state and a closed state, wherein a lingual surface of the door includes at least one groove extending along at least a portion of an occlusal-gingival height of the door, and wherein, in the closed state, a portion of the groove is positioned over the archwire slot; wherein, in the closed state, the door extends over and covers a plurality of door support sections formed on the body, and a portion of the door is positioned above a central portion of the archwire slot and above at least a portion of the plurality of door support sections, and wherein the door is slidable along a direction that is oblique to a bottom wall of the archwire slot, and wherein a beam is deflectable in a direction toward a bottom of the channel to allow the door to transition between the open state and the closed state. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The orthodontic appliance of claim 18, wherein the door is slidable along the channel that extends in an occlusal-gingival direction, and wherein the bottom wall extends in a mesial-distal direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The orthodontic appliance of claim 18, wherein the channel further comprises a latch oriented generally perpendicular to the channel.