# US 7,214,057 B2 · Self-ligating orthodontic bracket > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,214,057 B2 - Document ID: US7214057B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/372,618 - Filed: 2006-03-10 - Published: 2006-09-14 - Granted: 2007-05-08 - Earliest claimed: 2005-03-10 - Assignees: Ceramic Sciences Incorporated - Inventors: John C. Voudouris - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7214057B2 ## CPC - A61C 7/287: {Sliding locks} - A61C 7/16: specially adapted to be cemented to teeth - A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00) ## Abstract An orthodontic bracket assembly and method of assembling an orthodontic bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may generally include a base defining an archwire slot and having a lingual surface attachable to a tooth, the base defining a recess extending from the lingual surface, an insert positionable in the recess, a slot being at least partially defined by the insert, and a locking member including a lingual portion receivable in the slot to support the locking member on the base, the lingual portion being movable in the slot between an open position, in which the locking member permits access to the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the locking member inhibits access to the archwire slot. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An orthodontic bracket assembly comprising: a base defining an archwire slot and having a lingual surface attachable to a tooth, the base defining a recess extending from the lingual surface; a locking member including a lingual portion positioned in the recess to support the locking member on the base, the lingual portion being movable in the recess between an open position, in which the locking member permits access to the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the locking member inhibits access to the archwire slot; and an insert positioned in the recess, the insert including a lingual wall at least partially covering the recess, the insert and the base cooperating to define a slot, the locking member being positioned in the slot to support the locking member on the base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the recess includes a slot having an open end and extending along an axis, the lingual portion being insertable through the open end and movable along the axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the lingual wall has an insert lingual surface attachable to the tooth, the insert lingual surface having a non-smooth configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The bracket assembly of claim 3, wherein the insert lingual surface includes projecting surface portions and defines associated recessed surface portions to provide the non-smooth configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The bracket assembly of claim 3, wherein the insert lingual surface includes one or more of projecting surface portions, retrusive undercuts, and metal mesh and defines associated recessed surface portions to provide the non-smooth configuration of the insert lingual surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the lingual wall has an insert lingual surface attachable to the tooth, the insert lingual surface being substantially smooth. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the lingual wall has an insert lingual surface attachable to the tooth, and wherein the insert lingual surface is substantially flush with adjacent portions of the lingual surface of the base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein the lingual wall of the insert has a concave shape to facilitate attachment to a tooth. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert has a substantially C-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert further includes a labial wall spaced from the lingual wall such that the insert defines the slot, the locking member being positioned in the slot to support the locking member on the base. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The bracket assembly of claim 10, wherein the labial wall defines an aperture, wherein the base defines an opening communicating with the recess and extending away from the lingual surface, the aperture being at least partially alignable with the opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The bracket assembly of claim 11, wherein the lingual portion of the locking member includes a first portion and a second portion extending labially of the first portion, the second portion projecting into the aperture. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The bracket assembly of claim 11, wherein the insert further includes a cover portion at least partially covering the aperture. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The bracket assembly of claim 13, wherein the insert is bonded to the base with a bonding substance, the cover portion inhibiting bonding substance from entering the slot. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the base defines an opening communicating with the recess and extending away from the lingual surface, and wherein the lingual portion of the locking member includes a first portion and a second portion extending labially of the first portion, the second portion projecting into the opening. ### Claim 16 A method of assembling an orthodontic bracket assembly, the bracket assembly including a base defining an archwire slot and having a lingual surface attachable to a tooth, an insert, and a locking member including a lingual portion, the method comprising the acts of: defining a recess in the lingual surface; securing the insert in the recess to thereby define a slot; and positioning the lingual portion of the locking member in the slot to support the locking member on the base such that the lingual portion is movable in the slot between an open position, in which the locking member permits access to the archwire slot and a closed position, in which the locking member inhibits access to the archwire slot. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein defining a recess includes machining the recess into the base. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the insert has an insert lingual surface, and wherein securing includes positioning the insert with the insert lingual surface substantially flush with adjacent portions of the lingual surface of the base. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the insert further includes a labial wall spaced from the lingual wall, wherein labial wall defines an aperture, wherein the lingual portion of the insert includes a first flat portion and a second portion extending labially of the flat portion, and wherein positioning includes positioning the lingual portion of the locking member in the slot with the second portion projecting into the aperture. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, and further comprising, before positioning, at least partially covering the aperture with a cover portion. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein securing the insert includes bonding the insert in the recess with bonding substance, and wherein covering includes inhibiting bonding substance from entering the slot. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, and further comprising, after securing, removing the cover portion. ### Claim 23 An orthodontic bracket assembly comprising: a base defining an archwire slot and having a lingual surface attachable to a tooth, the base defining a recess extending from the lingual surface; an insert secured in the recess, a slot being at least partially defined by the insert, the insert having an insert lingual surface attachable to the tooth, the insert lingual surface having a non-smooth configuration, the insert lingual surface being substantially flush with adjacent portions of the lingual surface of the base and having a concave shape to facilitate attachment to a tooth; and a locking member including a lingual portion positioned in the slot to support the locking member on the base, the lingual portion being movable in the slot between an open position, in which the locking member permits access to the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the locking member inhibits access to the archwire slot.