Patent ID: 7210928
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. An orthodontic bracket comprising: a bracket base; at least one arch wire slot in the bracket base slot adapted to receive an arch wire therein; a ligation cover hingedly connected to the bracket base and selectively rotatable 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; an elongate, bendable film hinge attached at one end to the bracket base and at an opposite end to the ligation cover so as to hingedly connect the ligation cover to the bracket base; and a hinge guide structure disposed on the ligation cover or bracket base, the hinge guide structure comprising a curved hinge-guiding surface around which the elongate, bendable film hinge bends gradually over essentially its entire length rather than at a single point when the ligation cover is selectively rotated relative to the bracket base so that the film hinge bends over a significant portion of the entire length of the curved hinge-guiding surface, and wherein the bracket base, ligation cover and elongate film hinge are integrally formed together as a single piece of plastic.