Base for orthodontic appliance

Abstract

An orthodontic self-ligating bracket for orthodontic treatment of maloccluded teeth. The bracket includes a bracket body, a bracket door, and a spring mechanism retained by the bracket door. The bracket body has a base on the bottom side of the bracket body that is contoured to attach to a surface of a tooth, a bracket slot on the top side of the bracket body extending in a mesiodistal direction and configured to releasably retain an archwire, and a bracket groove on the top side of the bracket body extending in an occlusogingival direction towards the bracket slot. The spring mechanism includes one or more springs that are configured to contact the bracket door and the bracket body. The bracket door can thus be retained by and slidably engage the bracket body between an open position and a closed position. One or more additional active spring members may also be provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A base for an orthodontic appliance for orthodontic treatment of maloccluded teeth, the base comprising:
 a bracket body having a bottom surface and a top surface and having a base on the bottom surface that is contoured for attachment to a surface of a tooth; and   the base having a plurality of pylons that extend continuously from one edge of the base to an opposite edge of the base.   
     
     
         42 . The base of  claim 41 , wherein channels are formed in between the plurality of pylons. 
     
     
         43 . The base of  claim 42 , wherein at least some of the plurality of pylons have different lengths. 
     
     
         44 . The base of  claim 43 , wherein the base is concave-shaped. 
     
     
         45 . The base of  claim 44 , wherein the plurality of pylons are made from any of the following materials: metals, metal alloys, ceramics, or polymers. 
     
     
         46 . The base of  claim 41 , wherein the base has a dual-compound contoured shape. 
     
     
         47 . The base of  claim 46 , wherein the base is micro-etched to provide greater bond strength. 
     
     
         48 . The base of  claim 47 , wherein the bracket body has a hook for receiving an elastomeric or ligature.