Patent ID: 8287274

Claim:
In combination, an orthodontic appliance adapted to be affixed to the surface of a patient's tooth, said appliance having an archwire slot for receiving an archwire and having a rotary cover mounted for rotation about an axial pin between an open position exposing the archwire slot and a closed position covering the archwire slot, the axial pin being oriented perpendicular to the surface of the tooth, and a tool for opening and closing said cover, said tool having a substantially straight handle having a longitudinal axis and manipulator members at a distal end for engaging said cover wherein said cover includes concave indented side portions and said manipulator members include pins that engage said concave indented side portions, whereby the handle is aligned with said axial pin when said manipulator members are in engagement with said cover, whereby said cover is opened and closed by twisting said tool about its longitudinal axis.