Orthodontic bracket and associated fabricating method
US5078596A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C7/12
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An orthodontic bracket for securing orthodontic appliances to a tooth and an associated fabricating method. The orthodontic bracket (10) generally comprises a body (18) fabricated of a high strength plastic material (22) filled with an oxide particulate filler (24). In certain alternate embodiments the body (18) is further strengthened by dispersing reinforcing fibers (32) in the plastic material (22). The body (18) in certain embodiments is coated with a layer of organo-functional silane (28) and/or a high strength plastic (30) so as to resist staining and/or abrasion. The method of the present invention generally comprises filling the plastic fabricating material (22) with the oxide filler (28) and/or reinforcing fibers and/or whiskers (32) and molding the composite material into the desired bracket body configuration. The body (18) can then be coated with the desired protective abrasion and stain resistant coating (30).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.