ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE WITH FATIGUE-RESISTANT ARCHWIRE RETAINING LATCH

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an orthodontic appliance reliably and consistently function as intended for extended periods of time even after the latch has been opened and closed a number of times while the size is small. SOLUTION: The orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has a latch for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot. The latch releases the archwire from the archwire slot whenever the archwire exerts a force on the appliance that exceeds a certain minimum value. The latch comprises at least one clip having certain features that significantly reduce strain during opening movements of the clip, so that the likelihood of fracture of the clip during use is significantly reduced. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT