Focus on Brackets

The right appliance for every type of case

Ortho Technology

Ortho Technology introduces a complete line of stainless steel and ceramic or composite aesthetic brackets, which are available with or without nickel-free, metal-lined archwire slots for sliding mechanics. Choose from Ortho Technology’s version of McLaughlin, Bennett, and Trevisi prescriptions. The Bionic™ stainless steel bracket system features smooth, rounded facial contours, an ample under tie-wing area, chamfered lower anterior occlusal tie wings, accurate in and out compensations, and fully integrated ball hooks. Gingivally offset bicuspid brackets are available. The Reflections® ceramic bracket system is translucent. Its slot design enhances sliding mechanics. It features a generously contoured tie-wing area for easy bracket ligation and reliable retention.

For more information, contact Ortho Technology Inc, 17401 Commerce Park Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647; (800) 999-3161; www.orthotechnology.com.

3M Unitek

3M Unitek offers the SmartClip™ self-ligating appliance system. With the SmartClip appliance, there are no doors or mechanisms to open or close. The integral nickel-titanium clips allow simple archwire insertion and removal, and hold the archwire with a preprogrammed force that avoids unintentional disengagement. SmartClip appliances feature a true twin bracket design for familiar bracket placement and flexible treatment options. The ligatures may be used on individual teeth as an “active on-demand” option that gives orthodontists the control they need. An optional 3M Unitek-exclusive APC™ adhesive coating is also available.

For more information, contact 3M Unitek, 3M Center, St Paul, MN 55144-1000; (800) 423-4588; www.3munitek.com.

Fairfield Orthodontics

Fairfield Orthodontics introduces the Cannon Ultra bracket system, which allows the orthodontist to treat mild to moderate apical base Class II and III cases using the interactive slot that allows dental compensation. The interactive slot (.035) opens to the gingival. The archwire is held securely in place using the same elements as an edgewise slot—an “O” ring, power chain, or steel ligature. There is also a preadjusted edgewise slot for the treatment of apical base Class I cases. Bodily en masse retraction of the anterior teeth can be accomplished by using an archwire in both slots simultaneously. When using a steel archwire in the interactive slot with bilateral gable bends in the middle of the extraction sites in conjunction with a NiTi archwire in the preadjusted slot, the proper moment-to-force ratio is established to retract the anterior teeth and enhance anchorage. Cannon Ultra brackets provide low friction with low forces without clips, caps, or special instruments. Different color choices are available.

For more information, contact Fairfield Orthodontics, 410 Surf Ave, Stratford, CT 06615; (800) 321-0331;www.fairfieldorthodontics.com.

GAC International

GAC International introduces the In-Ovation® C, an interactive, ceramic bracket system that provides self-ligation. The benefits of self-ligation include shorter wire changes, better oral hygiene, greater appointment intervals, and shorter treatment time, according to the company. In-Ovation-C provides free sliding mechanics in early treatment, interactive treatment when needed, and active control in the final phase of treatment.

For more information, contact GAC International Inc, 355 Knickerbocker Ave, Bohemia, NY 11716; (800) 645-5530; www.gacintl.com.

G&H Wire Co

G&H Wire Co offers Apollo™ nickel-free, stainless-steel brackets in Roth, Bioform, and Standard Edgewise prescriptions. The metal injection-molded Apollo brackets feature a presandblasted bonding surface that is compatible with all orthodontic adhesives.

For more information, contact G&H Wire Co, PO Box 248, Greenwood, IN 46142; (800) 526-1026; www.ghwire.com.

LeoneAmerica

LeoneAmerica introduces AQUA™ ceramic brackets, which are manufactured with a sintering process to achieve the purest alumina and polycrystalline structure with a dimensionally uniform particle size. The slot is treated to have a Crystalgloss™ finish, virtually eliminating any friction. The bracket is available in any tooth shade. The Aqua is made without a metallic slot, eliminating allergic reactions. It is available in .018 or .022 in one-case 3 x 3 or 5 x 5 (upper and lower), or 3 x 3 or 5 x 5 (upper only) kits. Individual brackets are sold in packages of one.

For more information, contact LeoneAmerica, 501 W Van Buren, Suite S, Avondale, AZ 85353; (800) 242-9986; www.americantooth.com.

Ortho Classic

Ortho Classic offers the CarriÈre SLS passive self-ligating system, a low-friction, light-force orthodontic bracket. The CarriÈre SLS is an anatomically contoured, full-radius, low-profile bracket with smooth, round edges. A new locking system replaces the need for ligatures, while a sliding gate provides passive engagement, reducing friction and improving sliding mechanics. The bracket can be opened with an explorer and closed with a finger. The CarriÈre SLS is made from nickel-free biocompatible materials and is available in Roth and MBT prescriptions. Each bracket is color-coded for easy identification and placement. The 3s, 4s, and 5s are available with hooks.

For more information, contact Ortho Classic, 1800 E Sahara Ave, Suite 107, Las Vegas, NV 89104; (866) 752-0065; www.orthoclassic.com.

Opal Orthodontics

Opal Orthodontics offers the OpalM, a self-ligating, nickel-free, stainless steel bracket system. OpalM brackets have a smooth, rounded surface that opens and closes easily to allow access to the archwire. Its cap design ensures consistent opening and closing of the bracket throughout treatment. In addition to their reduced size and low profile, OpalM brackets are injection-molded for patients who are sensitive to nickel. A polished, passive slot ensures that teeth move quickly and efficiently using ultralight-force archwires at the beginning of treatment. Accurate slot tolerances ensure full expression of torque and rotation control at the end of the treatment. Horizontal and vertical crosshairs printed on the bracket face allow visual positioning of the slot over the center of the tooth during bonding. The base of each bracket is imprinted with Palmer Notation to help identify the correct tooth prior to application of the bonding adhesive. Mechanical undercuts on the base of the bracket are designed to provide reliable bond retention.

For more information, contact Opal Orthodontics, 505 W 10200 S, South Jordan, UT 84095; (888) 863-5883; www.opalorthodontics.com.

Bracket Jacketz

Bracket Jacketz offers interchangeable clips for brackets, which allow children to customize their smile with alphabetical letters, hip designs, popular symbols, and colors. The small, lightweight clips are applied over the brackets on the front teeth and are easily noticeable when kids smile. Available in more than 25 different designs and two different sizes, Bracket Jacketz protect patients’ lips and gums from irritation, and replace the traditional wax. The clips are patent-pending.

For more information, contact Bracket Jacketz, 5594 S Fort Apache Rd, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89148-3611; (866) 58-SMILE; www.bracketjacketz.com.

Gestenco International

Gestenco International offers the Oyster ESL bracket, which features a snap-on door that holds the wire in place and provides increased comfort. The bracket has no tie wings, metal ligatures, or elastomeric ligatures that discolor or trap food that might compromise hygiene. A beam inside the door of the upper incisors makes the bracket active in the final stages. Heavier wires allow an active slot on the incisors and a passive slot on the cuspids and bicuspids. Problems with detailing the bracket in the frontal section are eliminated because the beam presses the wire onto the base of the bracket, producing rotation control.

For more information, contact G&H Wire Co, PO Box 248, Greenwood, IN 46142; (800) 526-1026; www.ghwire.com.

Lancer Orthodontics

Lancer Orthodontics introduces the Praxis bracket system, which features metal injection molding technology. The Praxis is a two-piece, rhomboid bracket system and is available in unidose patient packs. All brackets go through quality checks and a finish milling process that cuts all slot geometries. The company also introduces the Praxis Glide, an interchangeable self-ligation system based on proven twin bracket geometries. Glide also incorporates an open-lumen design to facilitate a lower-friction environment. Each Glide bracket has identical in/outs, widths, and under tie wing areas to allow a “hybrid” approach to low-friction mechanics.

For additional information, contact Lancer Orthodontics Inc, 253 Pawnee St, San Marcos, CA 92078; (800) 854-2896; www.lancerortho.com.

American Orthodontics

American Orthodontics offers Radiance brackets, which are made from single-crystal, pure grown sapphire, the second hardest mineral on Earth. Once bonded, Radiance is nearly invisible on the tooth. Monocrystalline formation gives Radiance a solid core structure, as opposed to the strand structure of polycrystalline. A heat treatment seals the bracket and ensures that no fissures exist on its surface. Radiance features tie wings on its base, which are designed with a smooth radius to reduce fracture. The under tie-wing space is enlarged for easy and quick ligation. The patented Quad-Matte™ base features a strong bond in the center to hold the bracket in place, but a weaker bond on the edges to allow for easy and predictable debonding.

For more information, contact American Orthodontics, 1714 Cambridge Ave, Sheboygan, WI 53082-1048; (800) 558-7687; www.americanortho.com.

OSCAR Inc

OSCAR Inc offers the Offset Bicuspid bonding bracket, a bracket positioned on the bonding pad in an offcenter or offset position. The placement allows the high gingival wing to extend over the gingival margin. The rounded gingival contour of the bonding pad enhances gingival placement. On partially erupted and adolescent bicuspids, use of offset bicuspid brackets helps achieve correct bracket placement. The Offset Bicuspid brackets are available in Twin or Lewis designs with 0, -7, -11, -14, -17, and -22 torques.

For more information, contact OSCAR Inc, 11793 Technology Lane, Fishers, IN 46038-2889; (317) 849-2618; (800) 428-5333; fax: (317) 849-2619; [email protected]; www.oscarinc.com.

TP Orthodontics

TP Orthodontics offers Nu-Edge® brackets, made from a cobalt-chromium (CoCr) alloy. Nu-Edge brackets have low-friction levels compared to stainless steel brackets of similar design. The brackets are nickel-free and are treated with the company’s PrimeKote polymer interface, which improves bond strength and simplifies cleanup while enhancing the moisture-resistant properties of the CoCr.

For more information, contact TP Orthodontics Inc, 100 Center Plaza, La Porte, IN 46350; (800) 348-8856; www.tportho.com.

Comfort Solutions

Comfort Solutions offers soft caps designed from mouthguard material for the CrossbowTM appliance, ForsusTM EZ Module (Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device from 3M Unitek), Herbst screws, ceramic or metal brackets, HTH appliance, TP Flip Lock appliance, Mara appliance, TADs, and transpalatal arches. These protective coverings bring instant relief to intraoral ulcers caused by impinging appliances. The soft caps also provide comfort to patients who play musical instruments and provide protection to incisal edges that occlude against ceramic brackets.

For more information, contact Comfort Solutions Inc, 305-20897-57th Ave, Langley, BC, V3A 8L5 Canada; (604) 532-2078; www.comfortsolutions.ca.

Ormco

Ormco introduces Damon 3MX Drop-in Hooks, a complement to the Damon 3MX passive self-ligating bracket system. With the Damon 3MX brackets, orthodontists have the flexibility to use hooks when they need them. The hooks feature the patented Ormco Hemi-Hook® design for elastic retention and are angled 15° away from the gingiva. The Damon system of passive self-ligating appliances, high-tech archwires, and minimally invasive treatment protocols reduce treatment times and provide patient comfort, according to the company.

For additional information, contact Ormco Corp, 1717 W Collins Ave, Orange, CA 92867; (800) 854-1741; www.ormco.com.

Forestadent

Forestadent introduces the Quick® bracket, whose ligating clip can be opened either from the gingival aspect or by using the hole in the clip. Rounded slot edges are designed to allow free movement, even with deflected archwires. The smooth edges and surfaces of the clip help provide control with minimal friction. With increasing archwire dimensions, the clip becomes active, allowing more control over tooth movement. The Quick bracket also features a one-piece bracket body construction made from nickel-free steel, which is suitable for all patients. The bracket also features a hook-style base for increased bond strength and easy, reliable debonding. The bracket wings protect the ligating clip in deep overbites.

For more information, contact Forestadent USA, 2307 Weldon Pkwy, St Louis, MO 63146; (800) 721-4940; www.forestadentusa.com.

Modern Arch

Modern Arch offers brackets that are available in Edgewise, MBT, and Roth prescriptions. The brackets feature .018- and .022-inch sizes in regular and mini, and are produced by the metal mold-injection process. They are available in 20-bracket cases as well as in single-bracket selections. The company also offers ceramic and polycarbonate brackets, crimpable stops and posts (hooks), steel ligatures, latex and nonlatex elastics (including mixed colors), elastomerics, and posted steel arches.

For more information, contact Modern Arch, 1402 Penn Ave, Wyomissing, PA 19610; (866) 663-2724; www.modern-arches.com.

Ortho-Byte

Ortho-Byte introduces Autonomy™ mini self-ligating brackets, which open with an explorer and close with the touch of a finger. Opening the clip with a finger is not possible, preventing patient intrusion. The smooth clip remains passive when paired with an archwire up to .018 x .022 inches. When more force is necessary, the passive system can be activated by increasing the archwire dimension. The brackets feature a four-point contact slot with rounded edges; a horizontal auxiliary slot for sectionals, upright, and rotation springs; and a true twin, four-tie-wing design that permits increased rotational control and the use of chain elastics. Autonomy brackets have small, strong ball hooks on the cuspids and bicuspids. The unique design of the bracket base allows a 30% increase in bond strength, according to the company. A vertical scribe line aids accurate placement. The nickel-free brackets are color-coded for easy identification and are available in Roth and MBT prescriptions.

For more information, contact Orth-Byte, PO Box 9627, Wilmington, DE 19809; (866) 641-2128; www.ortho-byte.com.

WildSmiles

Wildsmiles Brackets offers flower-, heart-, star-, soccer ball-, and football-shaped brackets that can be customized by the patient. Designs can be mixed and matched to give each patient a truly unique smile. The brackets are meticulously engineered to provide optimum aesthetic and functional benefits. Available in .018 and .022 slot sizes, WildSmiles Brackets are compatible with both Roth and MBT prescriptions.

For additional information, contact Wildsmiles Brackets, 14441 Dupont Court, Suite 301, Omaha, NE 68144; (402) 334-7171; www.wildsmiles4you.com.