Orthodontic bracket system and method
AssigneeSix Month Smiles Inc.
InventorRyan B. SWAIN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orthodontic bracket and method is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of orthodontic brackets that each include a main body portion having at least a first tunnel extending transversely therethrough. The main body portion is adapted to be bonded to the facial surface of a tooth such that the first tunnel extends approximately parallel to the facial surface. None of the brackets include an open faced slot. The method further includes bonding each of the plurality of brackets to separate teeth in an arch, and threading a first archwire through the first tunnel in each of the plurality of brackets.
Claims28
An orthodontic bracket comprising:
- a main body portion having at least a first tunnel extending transversely therethrough, wherein the first tunnel has a circular cross-section, wherein the main body portion is adapted to be bonded to the facial surface of a tooth such that the first tunnel extends approximately parallel to the facial surface, and
- a pair of opposing retention members extending from the main body portion.
An orthodontic bracket system for correcting the teeth in an arch that includes molars, premolars, canines, lateral incisors and central incisors, the system comprising:
- a plurality of brackets that each include a main body portion having at least a first tunnel extending transversely therethrough, wherein the first tunnel has a circular cross-section, wherein each bracket is bonded to the facial surface of a tooth in the arch, wherein the first tunnel of each bracket extends approximately parallel to the facial surface of the tooth to which the bracket is bonded,
- a first archwire extending through the first tunnels in each of the brackets, wherein the archwire has a circular cross-section.
An orthodontic bracket comprising:
- a main body portion having first and second tunnels extending transversely therethrough, wherein the main body portion is adapted to be bonded to the facial surface of an anterior tooth such that the first and second tunnels extend approximately parallel to the facial surface.
An orthodontic bracket system for correcting the teeth in an arch that includes molars, premolars, canines, lateral incisors and central incisors, the system comprising:
- a plurality of brackets that each include a main body portion having first and second tunnels extending transversely therethrough, wherein each bracket is bonded to the facial surface of a tooth in the arch, wherein the first and second tunnels of each bracket extend approximately parallel to the facial surface of the tooth to which the bracket is bonded,
- a first archwire extending through the first tunnels in each of the brackets.
A method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a plurality of orthodontic brackets, the brackets each comprising a main body portion having at least a first tunnel extending transversely therethrough, wherein the main body portion is adapted to be bonded to the facial surface of a tooth such that the first tunnel extends approximately parallel to the facial surface,
- (b) bonding each of the plurality of brackets to separate teeth in an arch,
- (c) either before or after step (b), converting the first tunnel on at least one of the brackets to an open faced slot to create a slotted bracket,
- (d) providing an archwire, and
- (e) inserting the archwire into the slot on the slotted bracket and then threading the archwire through the first tunnel on others of the plurality of brackets.
A method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a plurality of orthodontic brackets, the brackets each comprising a main body portion having at least a first tunnel extending transversely therethrough, wherein the main body portion is adapted to be bonded to the facial surface of a tooth such that the first tunnel extends approximately parallel to the facial surface, wherein none of the brackets include an open faced slot.
- (b) bonding each of the plurality of brackets to separate teeth in an arch, and
- (c) threading a first archwire through the first tunnel in each of the plurality of brackets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.