Orthodontic arch wire having a non-symmetrical trapezoidal cross-section

An orthodontic arch wire bracket configured to be secured to the tooth of a patient, said bracket comprising at least three slot surfaces which form a bracket slot for supporting a portion of an orthodontic arch wire, wherein:

• said at least three slot surfaces comprise a first surface which is substantially flat, a second surface which is substantially flat, and a substantially flat, substantially vertical surface which connects said first and second surfaces;
• said second surface converges towards said first surface in the direction of said substantially vertical surface;
• and
• said substantially vertical surface is substantially perpendicular with respect to said first surface.

An orthodontic appliance comprising a series of brackets configured to be secured to the teeth of a patient, said brackets having slots for supporting an orthodontic arch wire, and an orthodontic arch wire extending through said slots, wherein:

• said arch wire is arch-shaped and comprises posterior segments and an anterior segment connecting said posterior segments;
• at least one portion of said arch wire has a uniform, non-circular cross-section substantially throughout its entire length;
• said uniform, non-circular cross-section of said at least one arch wire portion has a first side which is substantially flat, a second side which is substantially flat and which converges towards said first side in the direction of an inner arch surface of said arch wire, and a pair of substantially flat, substantially vertical sides which connect said first and second sides and which form said inner arch surface of said arch wire and an outer arch surface of said arch wire, respectively;
• and
• at least the substantially vertical side forming said inner arch surface is substantially perpendicular with respect to said first side of said uniform, non-circular cross-section of said at least one arch wire portion.

An orthodontic appliance comprising a series of brackets configured to be secured to the teeth of a patient, said brackets having slots for supporting an orthodontic arch wire, and an orthodontic arch wire extending through said slots, wherein:

• each of said slots is formed by at least three slot surfaces;
• said at least three slots surfaces comprise a first surface which is substantially flat, a second surface which is substantially flat, and a substantially flat, substantially vertical surface which connects said first and second surfaces;
• said first surface is substantially parallel with respect to said second surface;
• said vertical surface is substantially perpendicular with respect to said first and second surfaces;
• said arch wire is arch-shaped and comprises posterior segments and an anterior segment connecting said posterior segments;
• said arch wire has a uniform, non-circular cross-section substantially throughout its entire length;
• said uniform, non-circular cross-section of said arch wire has a first side which is substantially flat, a second side which is substantially flat and which converges towards said first side in the direction of an inner arch surface of said arch wire, and a pair of substantially flat, substantially vertical sides which connect said first and second sides and which form said inner arch surface of said arch wire and an outer arch surface of said arch wire, respectively.