Orthodontic bracket

Abstract

An orthodontic edgewise arch bracket locking mechanism is described. The bracket locking mechanism includes a conventional edgewise arch bracket body with four occlusal tie wings, a handle and a locking hook. In addition, the arch bracket includes a slot designed to hold a conventional arch wire. The handle, locking hook and two of the tie wings are pivotally positioned in an over-center arrangement so that when the free end of the locking hook is positioned adjacent to the other tie wings and the handle is moved to a position parallel to the bracket body, the free end of the locking hook engages the other tie wings in a cam-like action that snaps it securely against the bracket body holding an arch wire firmly within the bracket slot. The bracket locking mechanism may be opened by moving the handle to a position perpendicular to the bracket body thereby releasing the locking hook.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.