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 can include a bracket configured to support an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic device can include a locking assembly coupled to the bracket and switchable between a plurality of operational modes. The plurality of operational modes can comprise a first sliding mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidable relative to the bracket and a second locked mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidably locked relative to the bracket.

An example method includes, based on an adjustment to a first displayed volume control, instructing the first playback device to adjust playback volume level; based on an adjustment to a second displayed volume control, instructing the second playback device to adjust playback volume level; after sending the commands, instructing the first and/or second playback device to process an audio stream into a first and/or second channel and to reproduce a respective one of the first and second channel, wherein the grouped first and second playback devices provide multi-channel sound; and based on an adjustment to a third displayed volume control, instructing the first and/or second playback device to adjust a group volume level for both the first and second playback devices.

An orthodontic bracket has a base configured for attachment to a tooth surface, a bracket element with an arch wire slot attached to one side of the base, and a clip for securing the arch wire in the slot. The bracket element has a wall portion extending upward along one side of the arch wire slot. This wall portion has three indentations in a line parallel to the mesiodistal direction. There is a channel running entirely through the bracket element underneath the arch wire slot. The clip is substantially U-shaped and has three parallel protrusions shaped to fit within the three indentations of the wall portion, and a locking element. The clip is securable to the bracket by placing the clip through the channel and engaging the locking element onto the bracket element, and placing the protrusions into the indentations of the bracket element.

An orthodontic bracket has a base configured for attachment to a tooth surface, a bracket element with an arch wire slot attached to one side of the base, and a clip for securing the arch wire in the slot. The bracket element has a wall portion extending upward along one side of the arch wire slot. This wall portion has three indentations in a line parallel to the mesiodistal direction. There is a channel running entirely through the bracket element underneath the arch wire slot. The clip is substantially U-shaped and has three parallel protrusions shaped to fit within the three indentations of the wall portion, and a locking element. The clip is securable to the bracket by placing the clip through the channel and engaging the locking element onto the bracket element, and placing the protrusions into the indentations of the bracket element.

An orthodontic appliance may include an archwire and multiple orthodontic brackets. The archwire may fit within a human mouth and contain multiple male connectors. Each orthodontic bracket may have a configuration that facilitates attaching the orthodontic bracket to a single tooth. Each orthodontic bracket may allow one of the male connectors to be locked into the orthodontic bracket with a snapping action. The male connector may be unable to slide with respect to the orthodontic bracket after being locked in the orthodontic bracket. A manual unlocking action may allow the male connector to disengage from the orthodontic bracket.

An orthodontic appliance may include an archwire and multiple orthodontic brackets. The archwire may fit within a human mouth and contain multiple male connectors. Each orthodontic bracket may have a configuration that facilitates attaching the orthodontic bracket to a single tooth. Each orthodontic bracket may allow one of the male connectors to be locked into the orthodontic bracket with a snapping action. The male connector may be unable to slide with respect to the orthodontic bracket after being locked in the orthodontic bracket. A manual unlocking action may allow the male connector to disengage from the orthodontic bracket.

An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body with a recess on a top surface of the bracket body and an archwire slot adapted to receive an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic bracket also includes a ligating member with a projection on its bottom surface. The ligating member is movably connected to the bracket body for retaining the orthodontic wire in the archwire slot when the ligating member is moved from an open position to a closed position. The orthodontic bracket also includes a discrete spring positioned in the recess on the bracket body such that a force is required to move the ligating member from the open position to the closed position.

An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body with a recess on a top surface of the bracket body and an archwire slot adapted to receive an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic bracket also includes a ligating member with a projection on its bottom surface. The ligating member is movably connected to the bracket body for retaining the orthodontic wire in the archwire slot when the ligating member is moved from an open position to a closed position. The orthodontic bracket also includes a discrete spring positioned in the recess on the bracket body such that a force is required to move the ligating member from the open position to the closed position.

Adjustable-prescription orthodontic brackets that include a bracket body, a repositionable core that defines an archwire slot, and a core positioning assembly. The bracket body defines a core receptacle into which the core is received and selectively moved within a plurality of prescriptive orientations. The core positioning assembly is selectively transitioned between a disengaged configuration, in which the core positioning assembly permits movement of the core relative to the bracket body within the plurality of prescriptive orientations, and an engaged configuration, in which the core positioning assembly retains the core at the selected prescriptive orientation. The core positioning assembly includes a core clamp with a core engagement surface configured to be selectively engaged with the core, and an actuator configured to selectively secure the core clamp in engagement with the core to retain the core at the selected prescriptive orientation.