Orthodontic bracket

An orthodontic bracket kit comprising:

• at least one orthodontic bracket comprising:
• a base having a slot adapted to receive an archwire;
• and
• a first cover hingedly formed on the base so as to selectively rotate between an open position and a closed position, the cover covering at least a portion of the slot when in the closed position, the first cover being initially secured to the base by an integral hinge of reduced cross-section that can be severed so as to selectively separate the first cover from the base;
• and
• a second cover separate from the first cover and not initially attached to the base, the second cover having at least one locking element and being configured for attachment of the second cover to the base after separation of the first cover from the base.

An orthodontic bracket comprising:

• a base having a slot adapted to receive an archwire;
• a cover having a first end integrally secured to the base by a living hinge, the cover being selectively rotated between an open position and a closed position, the cover covering at least a portion of the slot when in the closed position;
• and
• a spring element having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the spring element being integrally secured to the cover by a living hinge, the second end of the spring element being integrally secured to the base by a living hinge;
• the base, cover, and spring element being integrally formed from plastic.

A one-piece, injection molded plastic orthodontic bracket comprising:

• a base having a slot adapted to receive an archwire;
• a cover hingedly attached to the base so as to selectively rotate between an open position and a closed position, the cover covering at least a portion of the slot when in the closed position;
• and
• a hinge element interposed between the base and cover comprising a region having a reduction in material cross-section compared to material cross-sections of the base and cover immediately adjacent to the hinge element;
• so as to form an integral living hinge that attaches the cover to the base, and that is not biased toward the closed position, and
• the cover, base and hinge element together being injection molded so that they comprise a one-piece plastic orthodontic bracket.

An orthodontic bracket comprising:

• a base having a slot adapted to receive an archwire;
• a cover hingedly attached to the base by a hinge so as to selectively rotate about the hinge between an open position and a closed position, the cover covering at least a portion of the slot when in the closed position;
• and
• a spring element extending between the cover and the base, wherein the spring element selectively biases the cover so as to remain in the closed position when in the closed position and so as to remain in the open position when in the open position,
• the spring element, base and cover being integrally molded together as a single piece of plastic such that no separate assembly is required in order to attach the spring element, base and cover together.

An orthodontic bracket comprising:

• a base having a slot adapted to receive an archwire;
• a cover hingedly attached to the base by a hinge so as to selectively rotate about the hinge between an open position and a closed position, the cover covering at least a portion of the slot when in the closed position;
• and
• a spring element cooperating with the cover and the base in a manner so that when the cover is in the open position the spring element biases the cover toward the open position,
• the base, cover and spring element being integrally formed together as a single piece.