Pliers for making measurable torque bends in orthodontic archwires include upper and lower grips that are pivotally connected to each other. The upper grip is attached to a lower jaw having a first lower wing and a second lower wing. At least one slot is defined in an upper surface of each lower wing for receiving a portion of an archwire therein. The lower grip is attached to an upper jaw. The upper jaw includes a first upper wing and a second upper wing. A pivoting rod is pivotally connected to the first and second upper wings. A lever arm slidably engages a central portion of the pivoting rod. End portions of the pivoting rod extend through the upper wings and are connected to protractors. The lever arm includes at least one channel on a bottom surface for receiving a portion of the archwire between the lower wings.

Pliers for making measurable torque bends in orthodontic archwires include upper and lower grips that are pivotally connected to each other. The upper grip is attached to a lower jaw having a first lower wing and a second lower wing. At least one slot is defined in an upper surface of each lower wing for receiving a portion of an archwire therein. The lower grip is attached to an upper jaw. The upper jaw includes a first upper wing and a second upper wing. A pivoting rod is pivotally connected to the first and second upper wings. A lever arm slidably engages a central portion of the pivoting rod. End portions of the pivoting rod extend through the upper wings and are connected to protractors. The lever arm includes at least one channel on a bottom surface for receiving a portion of the archwire between the lower wings.

Systems and methods are disclosed to prevent interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model by acquiring the coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models and digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions using the acquired coordinates. The meshes representing the surfaces of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes calculating the depth of the overlapping portion between the two meshes to quantify the interference of the two physical tooth models.

Systems and methods are disclosed to prevent interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model by acquiring the coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models and digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions using the acquired coordinates. The meshes representing the surfaces of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes calculating the depth of the overlapping portion between the two meshes to quantify the interference of the two physical tooth models.

The present invention relates to an orthodontic gripping device having a body made of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, or solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III. The body has first and second, spaced apart arm portions connected to each other. Each arm portion includes a jaw portion having an inner, arch wire-gripping, surface. The inner gripping surfaces are disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with a station defined therebetween for receiving the arch wire. At least a portion of the station is sized smaller than the arch wire. The arm portions are resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other to admit the arch wire into the station. Once seated in the station, the arch wire is tightly held by inner gripping surfaces so as to resist displacement of the gripping device relative to the arch wire.

The present invention relates to an orthodontic gripping device having a body made of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, or solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III. The body has first and second, spaced apart arm portions connected to each other. Each arm portion includes a jaw portion having an inner, arch wire-gripping, surface. The inner gripping surfaces are disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with a station defined therebetween for receiving the arch wire. At least a portion of the station is sized smaller than the arch wire. The arm portions are resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other to admit the arch wire into the station. Once seated in the station, the arch wire is tightly held by inner gripping surfaces so as to resist displacement of the gripping device relative to the arch wire.

The present invention relates to an orthodontic gripping device having a body made of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, or solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III. The body has first and second, spaced apart arm portions connected to each other. Each arm portion includes a jaw portion having an inner, arch wire-gripping, surface. The inner gripping surfaces are disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with a station defined therebetween for receiving the arch wire. At least a portion of the station is sized smaller than the arch wire. The arm portions are resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other to admit the arch wire into the station. Once seated in the station, the arch wire is tightly held by inner gripping surfaces so as to resist displacement of the gripping device relative to the arch wire.

The present invention relates to an orthodontic gripping device having a body made of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, or solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III. The body has first and second, spaced apart arm portions connected to each other. Each arm portion includes a jaw portion having an inner, arch wire-gripping, surface. The inner gripping surfaces are disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with a station defined therebetween for receiving the arch wire. At least a portion of the station is sized smaller than the arch wire. The arm portions are resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other to admit the arch wire into the station. Once seated in the station, the arch wire is tightly held by inner gripping surfaces so as to resist displacement of the gripping device relative to the arch wire.

A particularly simple orthodontic bracket manufactured using cutting and bending technology, proposed for a number of different indications, includes a base plate having an adhesive side and a visible side, and an element for the guided retention of a treatment arch wire. The bracket is made in one piece and has, as a guiding element, a longitudinal guiding bulge extending mesio-distally and shaped out of the plane of the base plate. A treatment arch wire can be guided through beneath the guide bulge, such that it lies against the base plate.

A particularly simple orthodontic bracket manufactured using cutting and bending technology, proposed for a number of different indications, includes a base plate having an adhesive side and a visible side, and an element for the guided retention of a treatment arch wire. The bracket is made in one piece and has, as a guiding element, a longitudinal guiding bulge extending mesio-distally and shaped out of the plane of the base plate. A treatment arch wire can be guided through beneath the guide bulge, such that it lies against the base plate.