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US4988293A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Toughness coating for crystalline orthodontic brackets

Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Technology LLC
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Filing: 1988-11-07
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Granted: 1991-01-29
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Expires: 2008-11-07
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Abstract

Abstract A single crystal orthodontic bracket is disclosed which is provided with an outer protective layer of a polycrystalline material so as to provide fracture toughness of the orthodontic bracket.

Inventors

  • 👤 Paul R. Collins
  • 👤 Larry R. Rothrock

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 10:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/14; A61C7/141

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 79 words
An orthodontic bracket comprising a body comprising a single crystalline oxide material having a base face intended to face a tooth and an opposing front face defining a longitudinal arch wire groove, and having a polycrystalline outer coating layer on at least a portion of the bracket, said polycrystalline outer coating layer being a material selected from the group consisting of alpha-alumina, zirconia, yttria, magnesia, titania, strontium titanate, rare earth oxides, Al 2 O x (x=2-3), and combinations thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 79 words
An orthodontic bracket comprising a body comprising a single crystalline oxide material having a base face intended to face a tooth and an opposing front face defining a longitudinal arch wire groove, and having a polycrystalline outer coating layer on at least a portion of the bracket, said polycrystalline outer coating layer being a material selected from the group consisting of alpha-alumina, zirconia, yttria, magnesia, titania, strontium titanate, rare earth oxides, Al 2 O x (x=2-3), and combinations thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the single crystal oxide material is selected from the group consisting of alpha-alumina, zirconia, yttria, magnesia, titania and strontium titanate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the single crystal oxide bracket material is made entirely of crystalline alpha-alumina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 12 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 3, wherein the crystalline alpha-alumina is sapphire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the single crystal oxide bracket material is made entirely of zirconia.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the single crystalline oxide bracket material is made entirely of yttria.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the polycrystalline outer coating layer is in the range of from about 1,000 to 50,000 Angstroms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the polycrystalline outer coating layer coats the arch wire groove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 16 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the polycrystalline outer coating layer coats the entire bracket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 24 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the arch wire groove is oriented essentially parallel to the top and bottom faces of the bracket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 23 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the bracket has a rhomboidal configuration when viewed looking directly at the front of the bracket.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3504438A Cited
US4302532A Cited
US4050156A Cited
US4595598A Cited
US4820545A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-01-28 1994-07-30 1995-01-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-01-28 1998-07-30 1999-01-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-01-28 2002-07-30 2003-01-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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