Colored orthodontic brackets having removable ligation cover

Abstract

An orthodontic bracket that includes coloring means for coloring to create a desired aesthetic appearance. The orthodontic bracket includes a bracket base, an arch wire slot formed in the bracket base, and a removable ligation cover that is selectively movable relative to the bracket base between an open, non-ligating position relative to the arch wire slot and a closed, ligating position relative to the arch wire slot. According to one embodiment, the coloring means a colored dye or pigment impregnating the thermoplastic resin from which the bracket base and/or ligation cover are formed. According to another embodiment, the coloring means for coloring comprises a curable resin containing a colored dye or pigment that has been applied and cured over at least a portion of the bracket base and/or ligation cover.

1 . An orthodontic bracket system, comprising: 
 a bracket base including: 
 an upper surface having at least one arch wire slot formed therein for receiving an arch wire;  
 a lower bonding surface opposite the upper surface for attachment to a tooth;  
 a first recess disposed in a first end of the bracket base between the upper and lower surfaces; and  
 a second recess disposed in a second end of the bracket base between the upper and lower surfaces opposite the first end;  
   a ligation cover that is initially separate from the bracket base and that includes first and second protrusions corresponding to the first and second recesses of the bracket base, the first and second protrusions, when inserted within the first and second recesses, locking the ligation cover onto the bracket base and resisting detachment forces when an arch wire disposed within the arch wire slot exerts pressure onto the ligation cover; and    coloring means for coloring at least a portion of at least one of said bracket base or said ligation cover.    
     
     
         2 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the coloring means comprises a colored dye or pigment impregnating a thermoplastic resin from which the bracket base and/or ligation cover are formed.  
     
     
         3 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the colored dye or pigment comprises at least one food colorant.  
     
     
         4 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic bracket is formed by injection molding the thermoplastic resin.  
     
     
         5 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the bracket base or ligation cover are formed from a thermoplastic resin.  
     
     
         6 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the coloring means comprises a light and/or chemically curable resin containing a colored dye or pigment that is applied and cured over at least a portion of the bracket base or ligation cover.  
     
     
         7 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the colored dye or pigment comprises at least one food colorant.  
     
     
         8 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second recesses comprise angled keyways, and wherein the first and second protrusions comprise locking tongues that, when inserted within the angled keyways, are withdrawn more deeply into the angled keyways in response to pressure exerted against the ligation cover by an arch wire positioned within the arch wire slot.  
     
     
         9 . An orthodontic bracket system, comprising: 
 a bracket base that includes at least one arch wire slot formed therein for receiving an arch wire;    a ligation cover that is initially separate from the bracket base;    latch means, disposed at first and second ends of the bracket base and ligation cover, for attaching the ligation cover to the bracket base and locking the ligation cover to the bracket base more firmly in response to pressure exerted against the ligation cover by an arch wire positioned within the arch wire slot; and    coloring means for coloring at least a portion of at least one of said bracket base or said ligation cover.    
     
     
         10 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the latch means comprises a first angled keyway disposed in a first end of the bracket base, a second angled keyway disposed in a second end of the bracket base opposite the first end, a first locking tongue disposed in a first end of the ligation cover corresponding to the first angled keyway, and a second locking tongue disposed in a second end of the ligation cover corresponding to the second angled keyway.  
     
     
         11 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the locking tongues, when inserted within the angled keyways, are withdrawn more deeply into the angled keyways in response to pressure exerted against the ligation cover by an arch wire positioned within the arch wire slot.  
     
     
         12 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the coloring means comprises a colored dye or pigment impregnating a thermoplastic resin from which the bracket base and/or ligation cover are formed.  
     
     
         13 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the coloring means comprises a light and/or chemically curable resin containing a colored dye or pigment.  
     
     
         14 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the coloring means comprises at least one of decorative jewelry, a picture or a design.  
     
     
         15 . An orthodontic bracket system, comprising: 
 a bracket base, the bracket base including: 
 an upper surface having at least one arch wire slot formed therein for receiving an arch wire;  
 a lower bonding surface opposite the upper surface for attachment to a tooth;  
 a first recess disposed in a first end of the bracket base between the upper and lower surfaces; and  
 a second recess disposed in a second end of the bracket base between the upper and lower surfaces opposite the first end;  
   a ligation cover that is initially separate from the bracket base and that includes first and second protrusions corresponding to the first and second recesses of the bracket base, the first and second protrusions, when inserted within the first and second recesses, locking the ligation cover onto the bracket base and resisting detachment forces when an arch wire disposed within the arch wire slot exerts pressure onto the ligation cover; and    a colored dye or pigment impregnating a thermoplastic resin from which the bracket base and/or ligation cover are formed in order for the bracket base and/or ligation cover to have a color that contrasts with that of a tooth.    
     
     
         16 . An orthodontic bracket system as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising a light and/or chemically curable resin containing a colored dye or pigment for application to the bracket base and/or ligation cover in order to augment and/or change the color of the bracket base and/or ligation cover.  
     
     
         17 . A kit for forming an orthodontic bracket having a desired color, comprising: 
 a bracket base that includes at least one arch wire slot formed therein for receiving an arch wire;    a ligation cover that is initially separate from the bracket base;    latch means, disposed at first and second ends of the bracket base and ligation cover, for attaching the ligation cover to the bracket base and locking the ligation cover to the bracket base more firmly in response to pressure exerted against the ligation cover by an arch wire positioned within the arch wire slot;    a light and/or chemically curable resin; and    a colored dye or pigment.    
     
     
         18 . A kit as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the colored dye or pigment is pre-mixed within the curable resin.  
     
     
         19 . A kit as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the kit comprises a plurality of different colored dyes or pigments that are initially separate from the curable resin.  
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing an orthodontic bracket having a desired color, comprising: 
 providing a kit as defined in  claim 17;     applying the curable resin containing the colored dye or pigment to at least a portion of the bracket base and/or ligation cover; and    curing the curable resin by at least one of light or chemical curing.    
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the curable resin is applied during manufacturing by spin coating.  
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the curable resin is applied clinically by brush coating.  
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the curable resin is light cured.  
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the curable resin is chemically cured.