Orthodontic chain application tool

An applicator tool for use with an orthodontic loop chain to facilitate attaching, through the use of individual loops in the chain, an orthodontic archwire to orthodontic tooth appliances, where the chain is composed of a series of elastically deformable loops connected by breakaway isthmuses, said tool comprising

• a pair of pivotally connected arms,
• a pair of loop-gripping tips adapted for clamping an end loop in the chain in a manner permitting the end loop to be placed on a tooth appliance, to secure an archwire thereto,
• a chain dispenser mounted on one of the arms, adjacent the other end thereof,
• means defining a path along which the chain is intended to be advanced in a forward direction from said chain dispenser toward said tips, and
• means elastically encircling said tips forming a constriction zone in said path through which an end-adjacent loop in the chain is adapted to pass, by reversible loop elongation produced by the application of a downstream force on the chain which is substantially less than that required to break an isthmus in the chain.