A bonding guide for placement of an orthodontic apparatus comprises a tray with a tray surface that is configured to be positioned relative to an occlusal surface of at least one tooth in a dentition of a patient. The bonding guide includes a pin with at least one finger at a free end of the pin. The at least one finger is configured to engage an orthodontic apparatus. A hinge is connected to the pin and moves to position the pin relative to the tray. The pin is movable about the hinge between an open position and a closed position when the pin is in the closed position. The pin defines a predetermined treatment location of an orthodontic apparatus relative to a tooth.

An orthodontic device and, in particular, an orthodontic bracket that is slidable along a wire without external forces is provided. The device may include a first and second gear, each of which are independently movable between a locked position in which the gear is prevented from rotation, and a released configuration in which the gear extends into the channel to engage a wire received within the channel and is rotatable to move the device along the wire. The first gear may be rotatable to move the device in a first direction while the second gear may be rotatable to move the device in a second direction opposite the first direction. Thus, the first and second gears have the ability to move along the wire in short or long distances, as desired.

An orthodontic device and, in particular, an orthodontic bracket that is slidable along a wire without external forces is provided. The device may include a first and second gear, each of which are independently movable between a locked position in which the gear is prevented from rotation, and a released configuration in which the gear extends into the channel to engage a wire received within the channel and is rotatable to move the device along the wire. The first gear may be rotatable to move the device in a first direction while the second gear may be rotatable to move the device in a second direction opposite the first direction. Thus, the first and second gears have the ability to move along the wire in short or long distances, as desired.

An unimpeded distalizing jig, comprising a pair of tooth bond pads, an intra dental arch telescoping assembly, comprising a rod-like insertion and a tubular shell, which constrains the rod-like insertion to move with respect to the tubular shell along an elongated axis, which may be a radial path; and a force generating structure configured to supply an off-axis distalizing force to the intra dental arch telescoping assembly, such that the distalizing force is provided to the posterior tooth substantially without applying an anteriorizing force on the anterior tooth. The force generating structure may be an elastic band fixed by a hook to the tubular shell on one side, and to a molar on an opposing dental arch on the other side.

An unimpeded distalizing jig, comprising a pair of tooth bond pads, an intra dental arch telescoping assembly, comprising a rod-like insertion and a tubular shell, which constrains the rod-like insertion to move with respect to the tubular shell along an elongated axis, which may be a radial path; and a force generating structure configured to supply an off-axis distalizing force to the intra dental arch telescoping assembly, such that the distalizing force is provided to the posterior tooth substantially without applying an anteriorizing force on the anterior tooth. The force generating structure may be an elastic band fixed by a hook to the tubular shell on one side, and to a molar on an opposing dental arch on the other side.

A tooth-positioning appliance for closing spaces has at least two appliance segments, each segment having a thin elastomeric shell with recesses for removably engaging a set of teeth, and tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging bonded attachments protruding from the teeth. One of the appliance segments includes a flat receptacle extending horizontally on the thin shell of the appliance segment, and the other appliance segment has a thin elongated tab extending laterally from the second appliance segment spanning the space to be closed, and in sliding engagement with the flat receptacle of the other appliance segment. An activating element is connected between the appliance segments to exert a force to change the size of the space between the sets of teeth as the tab slides with respect to the flat receptacle.

A tooth-positioning appliance for closing spaces has at least two appliance segments, each segment having a thin elastomeric shell with recesses for removably engaging a set of teeth, and tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging bonded attachments protruding from the teeth. One of the appliance segments includes a flat receptacle extending horizontally on the thin shell of the appliance segment, and the other appliance segment has a thin elongated tab extending laterally from the second appliance segment spanning the space to be closed, and in sliding engagement with the flat receptacle of the other appliance segment. An activating element is connected between the appliance segments to exert a force to change the size of the space between the sets of teeth as the tab slides with respect to the flat receptacle.

An orthodontic appliance can include an archwire, ties, and multiple orthodontic brackets. The archwire can include multiple male fasteners and interproximal loops. Each male fastener may be inserted into an orthodontic bracket and tied into place. The male fastener may not be able to slide relative to the orthodontic bracket after it is tied to the orthodontic bracket.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a positioning tray for brackets of dental braces, wherein the positioning tray has a positioning aid and one or more associated brackets, wherein the positioning aid is formed as one piece with the associated bracket(s), comprising the following steps: obtaining original data which describe the present geometry of one or more teeth of at least one jaw of a patient; obtaining target data which describe the geometry of the one or more teeth of the at least one jaw of the patient after treatment with dental braces; calculating tray configuration data which describe the geometry of brackets with respect to the present geometry of the one or more teeth of the at least one jaw of the patient and the positioning aid arising from the original data and the target data, wherein the calculation of the tray configuration data is carried out such that using the described brackets of this type, the positioning aid is connected such that it can be used in order to position the brackets with respect to the teeth of the patient such that the bracket(s) can be connected to the surface of the teeth of the patient, and that, together with an ideal curve (basis for planning), previously determined and to be connected to (one of) the bracket(s), a correction of a malocclusion can be carried out; producing, on the basis of the tray configuration data, a corresponding positioning tray through a generative or ablative manufacturing method. The invention further relates to a corresponding device, a computer-readable storage medium and a corresponding positioning tray.

The orthodontic bracket includes a base and a bracket body extending from the base. The bracket body includes a lower labial surface on which a first indicia is displayed and a plurality of tie-wings extending from corner portions of the base on which a second indicia is displayed. The labial surfaces face the patients lips, once positioned on the patient's tooth. The first indicia can be a number corresponding to a specific tooth in a patient's mouth to which the bracket is designed to attach. The second indicia can be a dot positioned on a tie-wing associated with a specific quadrant of the patient's mouth.