Apparatus for removing ceramic orthodontic brackets and an associated method
AssigneeUniversity of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
InventorsRoy D. Marangoni, Jeffery L. Rickabaugh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for removing an adhesively bonded ceramic orthodontic bracket from a tooth to which it is secured includes a body portion which has a handle and a head portion. Bracket engaging jaws are disposed within the head portion. The jaws may be opened and closed to engage and disengage the bracket. A laser generator creates a laser beam which passes through a guide tube and through a discharge end of the guide tube which is positioned in spaced relationship with respect to the bracket. An associated method is provided.
Claims21
Apparatus for removing a ceramic orthodontic bracket secured to a patient's tooth comprising
- a body portion having a handle and a head portion,
- bracket engaging means for engaging and removing the orthodontic bracket
- said bracket engaging and removing means being disposed within said head portion,
- operating means for opening and closing said bracket engaging and removing means whereby a force can be applied to the apparatus facilitating removal of the orthodontic brackets,
- laser generating means for generating a laser beam,
- guide means operatively associated with said body means and said laser generating means, for delivery of said laser beam from said laser generating means to the orthodontic bracket,
- said guide means having a discharge opening adjacent to said bracket engaging and removing means, and
- switch means for activating said laser generating means.
A method of removing an orthodontic ceramic bracket from a patient's tooth comprising
- providing a body portion having a handle and head portion, bracket engaging means and laser beam guide means having a discharge end adjacent to said bracket engaging means,
- engaging said bracket with said bracket engaging means to position said discharge end in spaced relationship with respect to said bracket,
- applying and directing a laser beam of predetermined duration and energy intensity through said guide means and onto said bracket, and
- subsequently removing said bracket from said tooth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.