Direct bonding bracket positioning and mounting tool

Claim 1

An orthodontic tool particularly for positioning and holding a direct bonding bracket as it is positioned while permitting adhering cement applied thereto to harden to secure the bracket to a tooth of a patient, said tool including: (a) a tweezer-type tool having upper and lower leg members attached at one end and as assembled there is a constructed bias so that the unconnected leg ends are movable toward and to each other; (b) an intermediate leg member carried between the upper and lower leg members and as constructed and assembled a bias is provided to urge the lower leg toward the intermediate leg, the ends of the lower leg and the intermediate leg disposed to cooperatively retain a direct bonded bracket positioned therebetween; (c) an extending jaw portion provided on the upper leg member and providing therewith a means for supporting the tool on the top of a patient's tooth as the bracket is positioned and the applied cement hardens securing the bonded bracket to the tooth; (d) a lower jaw end carried by and formed on the free end of the lower leg member, this jaw end being L-shaped and with the short portion of the L-shape extending toward the extending upper jaw, this short leg sufficient to slidably engage and enter a lower slot formed on the direct bonded bracket, and (e) adjusting means cooperatively carried by the upper and intermediate leg members whereby the intermediate leg end is positioned a selected distance from the underside of the extending upper jaw, whereby the upper and lower legs are moved by manual manipulation from each other and to open condition whereby the lower and intermediate jaw ends are sufficiently opened to place a direct bonding bracket therebetween and in a holding position whereat the legs are released to grip the bracket by the ends of the lower and intermediate legs and while gripped the adjustment means is moved as required to being the bracket to the desired position below the upper jaw.