ORTHODONTIC HAND TOOLS FOR USE WITH A SELF-LIGATING ORTHODONTIC BRACKET AND METHODS FOR USING SUCH ORTHODONTIC HAND TOOLS

摘要

Orthodontic hand tools and methods for using the orthodontic hand tools in conjunction with self-ligating orthodontic brackets. The orthodontic hand tool includes a tip configured to contact a contact point on a bracket body of the bracket and to also contact a contact point on a movable member coupled with the bracket body. When the tip is used, the tip applies a force to the first and second contact points effective to move the movable member relative to the bracket body with negligible force transferred from the tip to the patient's tooth.