Dental tool for installing brackets for orthodontic braces

Claim 2

A tool for installing an orthodontic bracket on a tooth in a laterally centralized position on the tooth, the tool comprising: a handle comprising an end, a generally vertical inner member and a generally vertical outer member, both the inner and outer members extending generally perpendicularly inward from the end of the handle and being slidably connected to the handle, at least one of the inner and outer members being biased towards the other of the inner and outer members for holding the orthodontic bracket between the inner and outer members, the other of the inner and outer members being adjustable laterally with respect to the handle, a top member connected to the handle, the top member extending inward from the handle, generally perpendicular to the inner and outer members, and vertically above the inner and outer members, the top member for engaging a top of the tooth and centering the inner and outer members with respect to the tooth.

Claim 3

The tool of claim 1 wherein the top member is vertically adjustable with respect to the inner and outer members.

Claim 4

The tool of claim 2 wherein the handle further comprises height indicia to indicate the relative height of the top member with respect to the inner and outer members.

Claim 5

The tool of claim 1 wherein the inner member is adjustable laterally with respect to the handle.

Claim 6

The tool of claim 4 wherein the handle further comprises indicia to indicate the lateral position of the inner member with respect to a horizontal center of the top member.

Claim 7

The tool of claim 1 wherein the top member is an arched plate.

Claim 8

The tool of claim 1 wherein the top member is a plate having an inverted V-shape having an obtuse angle.

Claim 9

The tool of claim 1 wherein the top member comprises a bar.

Claim 10

A tool for installing an orthodontic bracket on a tooth in a laterally centralized position on the tooth, the tool comprising: a handle comprising an end, a support member connected to the end of the handle, a generally vertical inner plate and a generally vertical outer plate, both the inner and outer plates extending generally perpendicularly inward from the support member, at least one of the inner and outer plates being biased towards the other of the inner and outer plates for holding the orthodontic bracket between the inner and outer plates, the other of the inner and outer plates being adjustable laterally with respect to the support member, a top plate connected to the support member, the top plate extending inward from the support member, generally perpendicular to the inner and outer plates, and vertically above the inner and outer plates, the top plate for engaging a top of the tooth and centering the inner and outer plates with respect to the tooth.

Claim 11

A tool for installing an orthodontic bracket on a tooth in a laterally centralized position on the tooth, the tool comprising: a handle comprising an end, a support member connected to the end of the handle, a generally vertical inner plate and a generally vertical outer plate, both the inner and outer plates extending generally perpendicularly inward from the support member, at least one of the inner and outer plates being biased towards the other of the inner and outer plates for holding the orthodontic bracket between the inner and outer plates, the other of the inner and outer plates being adjustable laterally with respect to the support member, a top plate connected to the support member, the top plate extending inward from the support member, generally perpendicular to the inner and outer plates, and vertically above the inner and outer plates, the top plate for engaging a top of the tooth and centering the inner and outer plates with respect to the tooth.

Claim 12

The tool of claim 9 wherein the top plate is vertically adjustable with respect to the inner and outer plates.

Claim 13

The tool of claim 10 wherein the support member further comprises height indicia to indicate the relative height of the top plate with respect to the inner and outer plates.

Claim 14

The tool of claim 9 wherein the inner plate is adjustable laterally with respect to the support member.

Claim 15

The tool of claim 12 wherein the support member further comprises indicia to indicate the lateral position of the inner plate with respect to a horizontal center of the top plate.

Claim 16

The tool of claim 9 wherein the top plate is arched.

Claim 17

The tool of claim 9 wherein the top plate has an inverted V-shape having an obtuse angle.

Claim 18

A tool for installing orthodontic brackets in a laterally centralized position on teeth disposed on opposite sides of a patient's mouth, the tool comprising: a handle comprising a first end and a second end, a first support member connected to the first end of the handle, a generally vertical first inner member and a generally vertical first outer member, both the first inner and first outer members extending generally perpendicularly inward from the support member being slidably connected to at least one of the support member or handle, at least one of the first inner and outer members being biased towards the other of the first inner and first outer members for holding the orthodontic bracket between the first inner and first outer members, the other of the first inner and first outer members being adjustable laterally with respect to the first support member, a first top member connected to the first support member, the first top member extending inward from the first support member, generally perpendicular to the first inner and first outer members, and vertically above the first inner and first outer members, the first top member for engaging a top of a first tooth and centering the first inner and first outer members with respect to the first tooth, a second support member connected to the second end of the handle, a generally vertical second inner member and a generally vertical second outer member, both the second inner and second outer members extending generally perpendicularly inward from the second support member, at least one of the second inner and second outer members for holding the orthodontic bracket between the second inner and second outer members, the other of the second inner and second outer members being adjustable laterally with respect to the second support member, a second top member connected to the second support member, the second top member extending inward from the second support member, generally perpendicular to the second inner and second outer members, and vertically above the second inner and second outer members, the second top member for engaging a top of a second tooth and centering the second inner and second outer members with respect to the second tooth.

Claim 19

A tool for installing orthodontic brackets in a laterally centralized position on teeth disposed on opposite sides of a patient's mouth, the tool comprising: a handle comprising a first end and a second end, a first support member connected to the first end of the handle, a generally vertical first inner member and a generally vertical first outer member, both the first inner and first outer members extending generally perpendicularly inward from the support member being slidably connected to at least one of the support member or handle, at least one of the first inner and outer members being biased towards the other of the first inner and first outer members for holding the orthodontic bracket between the first inner and first outer members, the other of the first inner and first outer members being adjustable laterally with respect to the first support member, a first top member connected to the first support member, the first top member extending inward from the first support member, generally perpendicular to the first inner and first outer members, and vertically above the first inner and first outer members, the first top member for engaging a top of a first tooth and centering the first inner and first outer members with respect to the first tooth, a second support member connected to the second end of the handle, a generally vertical second inner member and a generally vertical second outer member, both the second inner and second outer members extending generally perpendicularly inward from the second support member, at least one of the second inner and second outer members for holding the orthodontic bracket between the second inner and second outer members, the other of the second inner and second outer members being adjustable laterally with respect to the second support member, a second top member connected to the second support member, the second top member extending inward from the second support member, generally perpendicular to the second inner and second outer members, and vertically above the second inner and second outer members, the second top member for engaging a top of a second tooth and centering the second inner and second outer members with respect to the second tooth.