Self ligating orthodontic brackets include a bracket base and a ligation cover which interacts with the base in order to provide ligation of at least one arch wire associated with the base. The orthodontic brackets may include one or more of the following improved features: (1) a film hinge about which a ligation cover may rotate; (2) a bearing spring or other flexible feature associated with the ligation cover to provide active ligation; (3) a ligation cover that has sufficient flexibility and resilience to facilitate locking and unlocking relative to the base; (4) a spring or spring-like feature that provides resistance to rotation of the ligation cover relative to the base; (5) a bracket base and ligation cover formed from different types of plastic materials; (6) two or more initially open arch wire slots that can be ligated by a single ligation cover; or (7) a safety locking feature that holds the ligation cover more tightly to the bracket in response to increased arch wire pressure. The orthodontic brackets may comprise one or more different materials, such as plastic, metal or ceramic and may be manufactured as a single piece or in multiple pieces that are later joined together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Related Applications
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/9 14,737, filed Aug. 29, 2001, now abandoned, in the names of Norbert Abels and Claus H. Backes, and entitled "ORTHODONTIC BRACKET", which is a national phase application filed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.371 of PCT application No. PCT/EP01/08489, filed Jul. 23, 2001. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/784,525, filed Feb. 15, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,383 in the names of Norbert Abels and Claus H. Backes, and entitled "AN ORTHODONTIC BRACKET". For purposes of disclosure, the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference.
2. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to orthodontic brackets, more particularly to self-ligating orthodontic brackets that include a bracket base, at least one slot or other feature for receiving an arch wire, and a ligation cover.
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.
An orthodontic bracket assembly has a bracket having base with a mounting portion for attachment to a patient's tooth, and a plurality of arms forming a bracket slot to receive a rectangular archwire. A clip can be removably inserted into the bracket slot along the axis of the bracket slot and archwire, and is retained by the bracket slot. The assembled bracket slot and clip form a rectangular channel to removably secure the archwire in the bracket slot. Two of the archwire surfaces are engaged by the clip and the remaining two archwire surfaces are engaged by walls of the bracket slot.
An orthodontic bracket system including a plurality of interchangeable ligation covers so as to allow the patient and practitioner to create a desired aesthetic look. The inventive orthodontic bracket system includes a bracket base, at least one arch wire slot formed in the bracket base adapted to receive an arch wire therein, a first interchangeable ligation cover that when releasably assembled to the bracket base can be selectively moved relative to the bracket base between an open non-ligating position relative to the arch wire slot and a closed, ligating position relative to the arch wire slot, and a second interchangeable ligation cover of a different color and/or formed of a different material relative to the first cover. The interchangeable ligation covers can be removed and replaced with another cover of a different color and/or different material to create a different aesthetic appearance.
