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Crystalline alumina orthodontic bracket

Assignee: Ormco Corp
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Filing: 1985-06-12
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Granted: 1987-01-27
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Expires: 2005-06-12
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Abstract

Abstract There is disclosed an orthodontic bracket including a base member for attaching to a tooth and a body member extending from the base member. The body member includes walls that define an archwire groove. The walls are made of single crystal alumina. Preferably, the entire bracket is made of single crystal alumina, and most preferably, single crystal alpha-alumina or sapphire.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robin M. F. Jones
  • 👤 Robert D. DeLuca
  • 👤 Carlino Panzera

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 16:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49567; Y10T29/49568

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim 36 words
An orthodontic bracket comprising a base member for attaching to a tooth and a body member extending from the base member, said body member including walls defining an archwire groove, wherein said walls comprise crystalline alumina.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 36 words
An orthodontic bracket comprising a base member for attaching to a tooth and a body member extending from the base member, said body member including walls defining an archwire groove, wherein said walls comprise crystalline alumina.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein said bracket is made entirely of crystalline alumina.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein said crystalline alumina is crystalline alpha-alumina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 2, wherein said crystalline alumina is crystalline alpha-alumina.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 3 wherein said base member is made of transparent plastic material and said body member is entirely crystalline alpha-alumina.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 3 comprising a transparent plastic bracket having an archwire groove lined with crystalline alpha-alumina.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 52 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 comprising a base member including a surface intended for adhesive contact with a tooth, and a body member extending from said base member, wherein said surface comprises crystalline alumina and includes an undercut portion for enhancing the mechanical adhesion of said surface to an orthodontic cement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 13 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 7 wherein the crystalline alumina is crystalline alpha-alumina.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein the crystalline alumina has a modulus of rupture greater than 35,000 psi.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 2 wherein the crystalline alumina has a modulus of rupture greater than 35,000 psi.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 3 wherein the crystalline alpha-alumina has a modulus of rupture greater than 35,000 psi.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 19 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 4 wherein the crystalline alpha-alumina has a modulus of rupture greater than 35,000 psi.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 23 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein aid bracket has a rhomboidal configuration when viewed looking directly at the front of the bracket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 19 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 13 wherein both the base member and the body member have a rhomboidal configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 49 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 14 wherein the base member and the body member have the same rhomboidal configuration such that the overall rhomboidal configuration of the body member is superimposed on the rhomboidal configuration of the base member when the bracket is viewed looking directly at the front.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 15 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 13 wherein said bracket is made entirely of crystalline alpha-alumina.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 15 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 14 wherein said bracket is made entirely of crystalline alpha-alumina.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 15 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 15 wherein said bracket is made entirely of crystalline alumina.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 23 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 14 wherein the archwire groove is oriented essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the bracket.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 23 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 15 wherein the archwire groove is oriented essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the bracket.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 15 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 19 wherein said bracket is made entirely of crystalline alpha-alumina.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 15 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 20 wherein said bracket is made entirely of crystalline alpha-alumina.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 78 words
A crystalline alpha-alumina orthodontic bracket including a base member for attaching to a tooth and a body member including walls defining an archwire groove and further including two pairs of tie wings, wherein said base member and said body member have the same rhomboidal configuration such that the overall rhomboidal configuration of the body member is superimposed on the rhomboidal configuration of the base member when the bracket is viewed looking directly at the front of the bracket.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 78 words
A crystalline alpha-alumina orthodontic bracket including a base member for attaching to a tooth and a body member including walls defining an archwire groove and further including two pairs of tie wings, wherein said base member and said body member have the same rhomboidal configuration such that the overall rhomboidal configuration of the body member is superimposed on the rhomboidal configuration of the base member when the bracket is viewed looking directly at the front of the bracket.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 25 words
The crystalline alpha-alumina orthodontic bracket of claim 23 wherein the archwire groove is oriented essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the bracket.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4322206A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-01-26 1990-07-28 1991-01-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-01-26 1994-07-28 1995-01-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-01-26 1998-07-28 1999-01-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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