A fluoride-releasing dental composition includes a polymeric compound selected from (meth)acrylate polymers, (meth)acrylate copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, and mixtures and combinations thereof; and a cariostatically effective amount of a fluoride compound. A dental appliance made from the fluoride-releasing dental composition.

An orthodontic bracket may include a housing portion having a first channel extending from a first end to a second end through the housing portion. The first channel is configured to slidably receive an archwire therethrough. The bracket also include a body portion configured to be received within the housing portion. The housing portion is configured to rotatably mount to the body portion about a first axis and a second axis. The first axis may be in an apico-coronal direction of the tooth. The second axis may be in a buccopalatal direction of the tooth. The bracket further includes a base portion configured to attach to a surface of the tooth. The body portion is configured to slidably mount on the base portion along the apico-coronal direction of the tooth.

The invention relates to a bracket for correcting the position of a tooth, comprising a bracket base of a bracket body, which bracket base can be fastened to a tooth, and which bracket body has a slot, extending in the mesiodistal direction, and also a fourth slot portion that narrows by a predetermined amount (α) in a predetermined region, so as preferably to form a snug fit for an inserted archwire, wherein the fourth slot portion is designed running in the longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the bracket base.

The present disclosure relates to an orthodontic system and a method of using the same to perform orthodontics. In one example, an orthodontic system is presented. The orthodontic system includes a tube having at least one sidewall and two opening ends, and a luting agent. The luting agent is disposed on at least a portion of one or more of the at least one sidewall of the tube and a portion of a surface of a tooth onto which the tube is directly attached or adhered. The two opening ends of the tube remain substantially open so that a wire can move along the tube.

The invention relates to a bracket for correcting the position of a tooth, comprising a bracket base of a bracket body, which bracket base can be fastened to a tooth, and which bracket body has a slot, extending in the mesiodistal direction, and also a fourth slot portion that narrows by a predetermined amount in a predetermined region, so as preferably to form a snug fit for an inserted archwire, wherein the fourth slot portion is designed running in the longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the bracket base.

A method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by digital light processing, said method comprises measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, wherein measuring dentition data is performed using a CT scanner or intra-oral scanner, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model on a computer, designing a 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure, importing the 3D CAD bracket structure model into a Digital Light Processing (DLP) machine, directly producing the bracket by layer manufacturing.

A method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by digital light processing, said method comprises measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, wherein measuring dentition data is performed using a CT scanner or intra-oral scanner, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model on a computer, designing a 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure, importing the 3D CAD bracket structure model into a Digital Light Processing (DLP) machine, directly producing the bracket by layer manufacturing.

Systems and methods for moving a tooth using a light, continuous force are disclosed. In examples, a bracket has a surface which is mounted to a tooth, and a pair of wings defining a slot having oppositely disposed upper and lower surfaces that converge at an apex. A wire runs through the slot at a distance from the apex. And a tensioning device presses the wire against a surface of the slot, the system is configured so that the wire gradually moves toward the apex of the slot.

The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self-ligating orthodontic bracket system that includes a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of a bracket. Embodiments of the orthodontic bracket system disclosed herein include a bracket body containing the archwire slot as well as tie wings for attaching various orthodontic devices (e.g., elastomeric bands) to the bracket. The rotatable member is rotatable in a first direction (e.g., counter clockwise) relative to a body of the bracket for securing or locking the archwire within the slot, and for rotating in an opposite direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) relative to the bracket body for unsecuring or unlocking the archwire so that it is substantially unrestrained from exiting the slot. Other embodiments include an orthodontic appliance and method of producing and using the same, and preferably employed in a lingual orthodontic system, that includes friction reducing features between an interior of an archwire slot portion of the appliance and an archwire placed within the archwire slot.

Systems and methods for moving a tooth using a light, continuous force are disclosed. In examples, a bracket has a surface which is mounted to a tooth, and a pair of wings defining a slot having oppositely disposed upper and lower surfaces that converge at an apex. A wire runs through the slot at a distance from the apex. And a tensioning device presses the wire against a surface of the slot, the system is configured so that the wire gradually moves toward the apex of the slot.