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Patent US5254003A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5254003A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of forming and bracket of nickel-chromium-beryllium based alloys
Assignee: Ormco Corp
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Filing: 1992-03-02
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Granted: 1993-10-19
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Expires: 2012-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A dental bracket is made from an alloy of nickel, beryllium and chromium. The alloy may be that designated by the trademark REXILLIUM III. A groove is disposed in one surface of the bracket to receive an arch wire. An opposite surface of the bracket is roughened to receive an adhesive which has properties of adhering to the bracket and to a patient's tooth. The bracket is formed by heating the alloy to the molten state, pouring the molten alloy into a mold with a cavity in the shape of the bracket and allowing the bracket to cool in air to room temperature. As the bracket cools, the beryllium oxide formed during the heating of the alloy is formed into dendrites. The surface receiving the adhesive is washed with an acid to remove the material in the space between the dendrites and thereby roughen the surface for the reception of the adhesive. The dental bracket is advantageous in that it is made from a single integral piece of material and in that it has properties of preventing tarnishing when scratched. This results from the oxidation of the beryllium oxide during the formation of the bracket and the migration of the beryllium oxide to the surface area where the scratch is located.
Inventors
- 👤 Craig A. Andreiko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49567; Y10T29/49568
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
An article for application to a patient's tooth to support an arch wire, comprising: a dental bracket made from a nickel-chromium-beryllium based alloy and having a groove at one end for receiving the arch wire, the bracket having a particular surface for bonding to the tooth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
An article for application to a patient's tooth to support an arch wire, comprising: a dental bracket made from a nickel-chromium-beryllium based alloy and having a groove at one end for receiving the arch wire, the bracket having a particular surface for bonding to the tooth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dental bracket is made from an alloy containing up to about 2% beryllium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article as set forth in either claims 1 or 2 wherein the surface of the bracket includes beryllium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The article set forth in any of claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein dendrite structure is formed when the alloy is cooled from the molten state and wherein the space between the dendrite structure is removed to form the bonding surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
An article for application to a patient's tooth to support an arch wire, comprising: a dental bracket made from a nickel-chromium-beryllium based alloy and having a groove on a first surface for receiving the arch wire and having a surface opposite the first surface, and an adhesive disposed on the surface of the bracket opposite the first surface with properties of adhering to the bracket and to the patient's tooth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
An article for application to a patient's tooth to support an arch wire, comprising: a dental bracket made from a nickel-chromium-beryllium based alloy and having a groove on a first surface for receiving the arch wire and having a surface opposite the first surface, and an adhesive disposed on the surface of the bracket opposite the first surface with properties of adhering to the bracket and to the patient's tooth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article as set forth in claim 5 wherein the arch wire is disposed in the groove in the bracket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An article as set forth in claim 5 or 6 wherein the alloy contains up to about 2% beryllium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article as set forth in claim 5 wherein the surface of the bracket opposite the first surface is roughened before the adhesive is applied to the surface.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of forming a dental bracket for application to a patient's tooth to support an arch wire, including the steps of: heating pellets of a nickel-chromium-alloy to the molten state; pouring the molten alloy into a mold having a cavity with the shape of the bracket; allowing the alloy to cool, after being poured in the molten state in the mold, to obtain a dendrite structure; removing the bracket from the mold; and preparing a particular surface of the bracket to remove the material between the dendrites.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of forming a dental bracket for application to a patient's tooth to support an arch wire, including the steps of: heating pellets of a nickel-chromium-alloy to the molten state; pouring the molten alloy into a mold having a cavity with the shape of the bracket; allowing the alloy to cool, after being poured in the molten state in the mold, to obtain a dendrite structure; removing the bracket from the mold; and preparing a particular surface of the bracket to remove the material between the dendrites.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein adhesive is applied to the particular surface of the bracket for retention by the particular surface after the particular surface has been prepared, and the bracket is adhered by the adhesive to the tooth.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claims 9 or 10 wherein the alloy contains up to about 2% beryllium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the bracket is formed with a groove and wherein the arch wire is disposed in the groove.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the particular surface of the bracket is roughened before the adhesive is applied to the particular surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-10-18 | 1997-04-19 | 1997-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-18 | 2001-04-19 | 2001-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-18 | 2005-04-19 | 2005-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |