Patent ID: 7014460
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. An orthodontic appliance comprising a base for bonding the appliance to a tooth, a body extending from the base, an archwire slot extending across the body in a generally mesial-distal direction, a support, and a latch connected to the body for releasably retaining an archwire in the archwire slot, the latch including a clip comprising: a first section; a second section opposed to the first section, the first section and the second section being spaced apart from each other to present a region for receiving an archwire; a third section extending in a certain direction and interconnecting the first section and the second section; a first arm portion connected to the first section remote from the third section; and a second arm portion connected to the second section remote from the third section, wherein the first section and the second section are movable toward and away from each other for enabling the arm portions to retain and release an archwire in the region between the first section and the second section respectively, wherein the clip includes a recess communicating with the archwire-receiving region, wherein the support is received in the recess, and wherein the first section decreases in width next to the region as the first arm portion is approached and the second section decreases in width next to the region as the second arm portion is approached.