Patent US5074783A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5074783A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthodontic bracket coated with water-soluble dye
Assignee: Ormco Corp
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Filing: 1989-11-16
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Granted: 1991-12-24
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Expires: 2009-11-16
Abstract
Abstract An orthodontic bracket, a method of manufacture and method of installing the bracket. The bracket is provided with visually enhanced reference edges for assisting in alignment of the bracket with respect to the tooth.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Reher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An orthodontic bracket for placement on a tooth of a patient, said bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting the inside lips of the patient during use, said outer labial surface having at least one reference edge for alignment with the occlusal plane of the patient and at least one second reference edge for alignment with the longitudinal axis of said tooth on which said bracket is to be placed, removable means placed on said outer labial surface for enhancing the visual contrast of said first and second reference edges with respect to said tooth so as to enhance the visibility of said first and second reference edges of said bracket with respect to said tooth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An orthodontic bracket for placement on a tooth of a patient, said bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting the inside lips of the patient during use, said outer labial surface having at least one reference edge for alignment with the occlusal plane of the patient and at least one second reference edge for alignment with the longitudinal axis of said tooth on which said bracket is to be placed, removable means placed on said outer labial surface for enhancing the visual contrast of said first and second reference edges with respect to said tooth so as to enhance the visibility of said first and second reference edges of said bracket with respect to said tooth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 1 wherein said removable means comprises a coating layer of a removable colored water-soluble ink placed on substantially the entire outer labial surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 2 wherein said removable colored water-soluble ink is black in color.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 1 wherein said bracket is made of a material which is transparent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a narrow strip of color placed along said at least one reference edge and said at least one second reference edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 1 wherein said bracket is made of a material which is translucent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 1 wherein said bracket is made of a material having a color substantially the same as said tooth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
An orthodontic bracket having a visual appearance which is difficult to distinguish from said tooth, comprising: said bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting said inner surface of the lips of the patient during use, said outer labial surface having an outer perimeter having at least one reference edge for alignment with a first reference plane and at least one second reference edge for alignment with a second reference plane; and removable means placed on said outer labial surface for enhancing the visual contrast of said first and second reference edges of said bracket with respect to said tooth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
An orthodontic bracket having a visual appearance which is difficult to distinguish from said tooth, comprising: said bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting said inner surface of the lips of the patient during use, said outer labial surface having an outer perimeter having at least one reference edge for alignment with a first reference plane and at least one second reference edge for alignment with a second reference plane; and removable means placed on said outer labial surface for enhancing the visual contrast of said first and second reference edges of said bracket with respect to said tooth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 8 wherein said bracket is made of a transparent type material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 9 wherein said bracket is made of a polycrystalline material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 8 wherein said bracket is made of a translucent type material.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of making an orthodontic bracket comprising the steps of: (a) providing an orthodontic bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting said inner surface of the lip of the patient during use, said outer labial surface having at least one reference edge for alignment with a first reference plane and at least one second reference edge for alignment with respect to a second reference plane; and (b) placing removable means on said outer labial surface or enhancing the visibility of said first and second reference edges of said bracket.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of making an orthodontic bracket comprising the steps of: (a) providing an orthodontic bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting said inner surface of the lip of the patient during use, said outer labial surface having at least one reference edge for alignment with a first reference plane and at least one second reference edge for alignment with respect to a second reference plane; and (b) placing removable means on said outer labial surface or enhancing the visibility of said first and second reference edges of said bracket.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said coating layer is a non-toxic ink applied on substantially the entire outer labial surface.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of installing an orthodontic bracket on a tooth of a patient, said orthodontic bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting said inner surface of the lips of the patient during use, said outer labial surface having at least one reference edge for alignment with a first reference plane and at least one second reference edge for alignment with a second reference plane, said bracket having removable means for enhancing the visibility of said first and second reference edges of said bracket with respect to said tooth, comprising of the steps of: (a) securing said orthodontic bracket on the tooth of a patient using said first and second reference edges of said bracket for alignment with said first and second reference planes, respectively; and (b) removing said removable means for enhancing the visibility of said outer labial surface with respect to said tooth.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of installing an orthodontic bracket on a tooth of a patient, said orthodontic bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting said inner surface of the lips of the patient during use, said outer labial surface having at least one reference edge for alignment with a first reference plane and at least one second reference edge for alignment with a second reference plane, said bracket having removable means for enhancing the visibility of said first and second reference edges of said bracket with respect to said tooth, comprising of the steps of: (a) securing said orthodontic bracket on the tooth of a patient using said first and second reference edges of said bracket for alignment with said first and second reference planes, respectively; and (b) removing said removable means for enhancing the visibility of said outer labial surface with respect to said tooth.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein said removable means comprises a water-soluble ink.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said ink is removed by the application of a water rinse.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
112 words
An orthodontic bracket for placement on a tooth of a patient having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting said inner surface of the lips of the patient during use, said outer labial surface having a plurality of reference edges for alignment with a first reference plane and a plurality of second reference edges for alignment with a second reference plane, removable means are provided on said outer labial surface for enhancing the visibility of the entire front face of said orthodontic bracket so as to render visually distinct said first and second reference edges of said bracket.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
112 words
An orthodontic bracket for placement on a tooth of a patient having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting said inner surface of the lips of the patient during use, said outer labial surface having a plurality of reference edges for alignment with a first reference plane and a plurality of second reference edges for alignment with a second reference plane, removable means are provided on said outer labial surface for enhancing the visibility of the entire front face of said orthodontic bracket so as to render visually distinct said first and second reference edges of said bracket.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 17 wherein said means for enhancing the visibility of said outer labial surface comprises a layer of a water-soluble non-toxic ink placed substantially on the entire outer labial surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
96 words
An orthodontic bracket for placement on a tooth of a patient, said bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having a front labial surface capable of contacting said inner surface of the lip of the patient during use, removable means are provided on said front labial face for providing at least one first reference edge for alignment with a first reference plane of the tooth of the patient and at least one second reference edge for alignment with a second reference plane of the tooth of the patient.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
96 words
An orthodontic bracket for placement on a tooth of a patient, said bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having a front labial surface capable of contacting said inner surface of the lip of the patient during use, removable means are provided on said front labial face for providing at least one first reference edge for alignment with a first reference plane of the tooth of the patient and at least one second reference edge for alignment with a second reference plane of the tooth of the patient.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 19 wherein said removable means on said outer labial surface comprises a layer of removable ink.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
135 words
An orthodontic bracket for placement on a tooth of patient, said bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting the inside surface of the lips of the patient during use, said front labial surface having at least one reference edge for alignment with the occlusal plane of the patient and at least one second reference edge for alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tooth upon which the bracket is to be placed, removable ink means placed on said outer labial surface for enhancing the visual contrast of said first and second reference edges with respect to said tooth so as to enhance the visibility of said first and second reference edges of said bracket with respect to said tooth.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
135 words
An orthodontic bracket for placement on a tooth of patient, said bracket having a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch wire or other orthodontic appliance and having an outer labial surface capable of contacting the inside surface of the lips of the patient during use, said front labial surface having at least one reference edge for alignment with the occlusal plane of the patient and at least one second reference edge for alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tooth upon which the bracket is to be placed, removable ink means placed on said outer labial surface for enhancing the visual contrast of said first and second reference edges with respect to said tooth so as to enhance the visibility of said first and second reference edges of said bracket with respect to said tooth.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 21 wherein substantially the entire outer labial surface is covered with said removable ink means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
62 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 21 wherein bracket has a plurality of referenced edges for alignment with said occlusal plane and a plurality of referenced edges for alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tooth, said removable ink means enhancing the visibility of said plurality of referenced edges for alignment with said longitudinal axis of said tooth and said occlusal plane.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-23 | 1995-06-24 | 1995-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-23 | 1999-06-24 | 1999-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-23 | 2003-06-24 | 2003-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |