Method and apparatus for bonding orthodontic brackets to teeth

Patent 5711665 Issued on January 27, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 19, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Dental appliance
Patent #: 3932940
Issued on: 01/20/1976
Inventor: Andren

Orthodontic method and apparatus
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Patent #: 4219617
Issued on: 08/26/1980
Inventor: Wallshein

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Patent #: 4256455
Issued on: 03/17/1981
Inventor: Forster

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Patent #: 4826431
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Inventor: Fujimura , et al.

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Patent #: 5003434
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Inventors

Assignee

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.

Application

No. 575095 filed on 12/19/1995

US Classes:

433/9, Cemented to tooth433/24, Method of positioning or aligning teeth433/29Having means to emit radiation or facilitate viewing of the work

Examiners

Primary: O'Connor, Cary E.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Griswold; Gary L., Kirn; Walter N., Christoff; James D.

Foreign Patent References

2106020 CA. 03/20/1995
2139078 CA. 06/20/1995
7-240536 JP. 09/20/1995
2 212 010 GB. 07/20/1989
WO 93/09847 WO. 05/20/1993
WO 95/07731 WO. 03/20/1995

International Class

A61C 007/00

Abstract

An orthodontic bracket includes a base with a central opening, and a body with a passage aligned with the opening. A curing light assembly includes an outer end portion that is removably received in the passage for curing adhesive beneath the central section of the bracket body. Once the adhesive beneath the central section of the bracket body has cured to temporarily tack the bracket base to the patient's tooth, adhesive extruded from the peripheral edge of the bracket base can be readily removed without dislodging the bracket from its intended position.