Orthodontic brackets including a ceramic or polymer bracket base and a metal insert having a selectively removable labial web cover

摘要

Convertible orthodontic brackets (100) of the present invention include a bracket base (102) formed of a ceramic and/or polymeric material (104) and a metal insert (105) defining an arch wire hole or tube received within a slot of the bracket base. The metal insert (105) includes a gingival sidewall (105a), an occlusal sidewall (105b), a lingual bottom wall (105 c), and a selectively removable labial web cover (112) extending between gingival and occlusal sidewalls (105a, 105b). The metal insert (105) may be formed as a single, integral piece of metal, preferably by machining. The metal insert (105) may be formed using stronger metals which are unsuitable for use in metal injection molding processes.