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 invention relates to a sensor (1) for fastening to a multi-bracket appliance for the upper jaw (2), to a multi-bracket appliance for the lower jaw (3), to an aligner for the upper jaw (2′) and/or to an aligner for the lower jaw (3′), in order to measure the time span during which a force is applied to a pressure, tension and/or shear-force sensor (11) of the sensor (1), whereby the wearing duration of orthodontic elastics (4) for multi-bracket appliances (2, 3) and/or aligners (2′, 3′) can be monitored, the sensor (1) being a sensor that is independent of the multi-bracket appliance (2, 3) and the brackets (23) and including a timer, a microcontroller having a data memory, and an elastic holder (16) and/or elastic guide (17). The invention further relates to a system (5) for monitoring the wearing duration of orthodontic elastics, including the sensor (1), a multi-bracket apparatus or an aligner for the upper jaw (2, 2′) and the lower jaw (3, 3′), an elastic (4) and an external reading device. The invention further relates to a method for monitoring the wearing duration of orthodontic elastics and to the use of the sensor (1) and of the system (5).

An orthodontic appliance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an anchor configured to be positioned adjacent a patient's teeth, and an arm extending away from and coupled to the anchor. The arm can include a first end portion at the anchor and a second end portion configured to be coupled to a securing member adhered to a tooth of the patient. The second end portion can include a first region and a second region extending from the first region at an angle. When the appliance is positioned adjacent the patient's teeth and secured to the securing member, the first and second regions may inhibit the second end portion from translating and/or rotating relative to the securing member.

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.

An indirect orthodontic bonding (IDB) tray preloaded with one or more orthodontic brackets with uncured pre-pasted adhesive. The loaded IDB tray can be produced by an IDB tray manufacturer and distributed to an orthodontist in a container that prevents the adhesive from curing. The loaded IDB tray can be removed from the container when the patient is ready for treatment. The loaded IDB tray can be placed over the dental arch of the patient such that the one or more orthodontic brackets can bond, via curing of the adhesive, to the teeth of the patient.

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.

Self-activated orthodontic expander including a left frame and a right frame, where the left frame and right frame include, respectively, a left body and a right body, each having anchoring means for anchoring them to the teeth of a dental arch. The bodies have through holes oriented in a predetermined expansion direction, where the frames are slidably mounted along the expansion direction by guides inserted into the holes of the bodies. Elastic elements are arranged and acting between the frames. The guides are further constrained with each other by a bridge oriented orthogonally to the same guides and adapted to prevent the reciprocal movement of the guides.

A removable orthodontic assembly to be used in a user's mouth, including: a frame member configured to be removably positioned proximate a lingual portion of the user's teeth; a first connector member, wherein the first connector member comprises a first end extending proximate to a labial portion of the user's teeth and a second end engaging the frame member; and a labial bow configured to be removably positioned proximate to the labial portion of the user's teeth having a first end and a second end, wherein the labial bow is configured to removably engage the first connector member.

A removable orthodontic assembly to be used in a user's mouth, including: a frame member configured to be removably positioned proximate a lingual portion of the user's teeth; a first connector member, wherein the first connector member comprises a first end extending proximate to a labial portion of the user's teeth and a second end engaging the frame member; and a labial bow configured to be removably positioned proximate to the labial portion of the user's teeth having a first end and a second end, wherein the labial bow is configured to removably engage the first connector member.