Self-ligating orthodontic bracket

Abstract

An orthodontic bracket having a bracket body configured to be mounted to a tooth includes an archwire slot having a base surface defining a base plane and a slide engagement track defining a translation plane. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane. A ligating slide is engaged with the slide engagement track of the bracket body and movable along the slide engagement track and parallel to the translation plae between an opened position, in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the archwire is retained within the archwire slot. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane so as to prevent the ligating slide from contacting the gingiva surrounding the tooth when the ligating slide is moved to the opened position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth, comprising:
 a bracket body configured to be mounted to the tooth, the bracket body including an archwire slot having a base surface generally defining a base plane and a slide engagement track generally defining a translation plane, the translation plane being angled with respect to the base plane, and   a ligating slide engaged with the slide engagement track and moveable relative to the slide engagement track and parallel to the translation plane between an opened position and a closed position,   wherein movement of the ligating slide toward the closed position moves the ligating slide towards the intersection of the base plane and translation plane and movement of the ligating slide toward the opened position moves the ligating slide away from the intersection of the base plane and the translation plane.   
     
     
         2 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the ligating slide comprises a surface confronting the slide engagement track and having a first and second portion, the first portion engages the slide engagement track and the second portion is angled with respect to the first portion. 
     
     
         3 . The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion is substantially parallel to the base plane in at least the closed position.