Electromechanical systems, methods, orthodontic brackets, and tools for adjusting orthodontic prescriptions of orthodontic brackets with adjustable archwire passages

A method of adjusting an orthodontic bracket that includes an archwire slot while the orthodontic bracket is operatively attached to a patient's tooth, the method comprising:

• operatively engaging the orthodontic bracket with an engagement structure of an electronic orthodontic adjustment tool;
• electronically determining a present orientation of the archwire slot relative to a reference orientation at a given point in time;
• displaying a displayed orientation of the archwire slot with the electronic orthodontic adjustment tool, wherein the displayed orientation is based, at least in part, on the present orientation;
• and
• adjusting the orientation of the archwire slot relative to the reference orientation based, at least in part, on the displaying.

An orthodontic bracket, comprising:

• a base configured to be operatively affixed to a tooth that is present within a patient's mouth;
• a body that is configured to be selectively repositioned relative to the base and at least partially defines an archwire slot that is shaped to receive an archwire;
• a retention structure configured to be selectively transitioned between:
• (i) a locked configuration in which an orientation of the archwire slot relative to a reference orientation is at least substantially fixed;
• and
• (ii) an unlocked configuration in which the retention structure permits the orientation of the archwire slot relative to the reference orientation to be adjusted;
• an orientation-determining structure configured to determine the orientation of the archwire slot relative to the reference orientation;
• and
• a transmitter configured to generate an orientation indication signal that is indicative of the orientation of the archwire slot relative to the reference orientation.