Orthodontic bracket

Abstract

In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

1 - 40 . (canceled)  
   
   
       41 . A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising: 
 a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a labial surface opposite the lingual surface, and at least one tie wing, wherein the body defines an archwire slot in the labial surface and a recess adjacent the archwire slot;    a latch coupled to the at least one tie wing and pivotal between a closed position where access to the archwire slot is inhibited and an open position where access to the archwire slot is permitted, wherein a first end of the latch is pivotally engaged with the at least one tie wing, and wherein a second end of the latch includes a protrusion positioned in the recess when the latch is in the closed position.    
   
   
       42 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 41 , wherein the archwire slot divides the body into a first side and a second side, wherein the latch is couple to the tie wing on the first side of the body, and wherein the body includes at least two additional tie wings on the second side of the body.  
   
   
       43 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 42 , wherein the recess is formed between the at least two additional tie wings, and wherein the protrusion is positioned in the recess substantially between the two additional tie wings when the latch is in the closed position.  
   
   
       44 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one tie wing comprises at least two tie wings, and wherein the latch includes at least a portion positioned between the at least two tie wings.  
   
   
       45 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 41 , wherein the latch pivots on a pivot pin.  
   
   
       46 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one tie wing comprises at least two tie wings, and wherein the pivot pin is positioned between the two tie wings.  
   
   
       47 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 41 , wherein the labial surface defines a labial plane, and wherein a portion of the latch covering the archwire slot is recessed lingually of the labial plane when the latch is in the closed position.  
   
   
       48 . A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising: 
 a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth and a labial surface opposite the lingual surface and defining a labial plane, wherein the body defines an archwire slot in the labial surface and a recess adjacent the archwire slot;    a latch coupled to the body and pivotal between a closed position where access to the archwire slot is inhibited and an open position where access to the archwire slot is permitted, wherein a first end of the latch is pivotally engaged with the body, wherein a second end of the latch includes a protrusion positioned in the recess when the latch is in the closed position, and wherein a portion of the latch covering the archwire slot is recessed lingually of the labial plane when the latch is in the closed position.    
   
   
       49 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 48 , wherein the archwire slot divides the body into a first side and a second side, wherein the latch is couple to the body on the first side of the body, and wherein the body includes at least two additional tie wings on the second side of the body.  
   
   
       50 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 49 , wherein the recess is formed between the at least two additional tie wings, and wherein the protrusion is positioned in the recess substantially between the two additional tie wings when the latch is in the closed position.  
   
   
       51 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 48 , wherein the body includes at least two tie wings, and wherein the latch includes at least a portion positioned between the at least two tie wings.  
   
   
       52 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 48 , wherein the latch pivots on a pivot pin.  
   
   
       53 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 52 , wherein the body includes at least two tie wings, and wherein the pivot pin is positioned between the two tie wings.