Importance

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Abstract

A bracket container is provided for storing a plurality of orthodontic brackets having bases coated with a light curable adhesive. The container includes a housing and a tray slidably mounted in the housing. The tray includes an upper surface having a plurality of recesses, each for receiving one of the brackets. The tray is movable between a closed position in which the housing covers the recesses in the tray and an open position in which at least some of the recesses are not covered by the housing. The housing comprises substantially opaque material to limit exposure of the brackets to light when the tray is in the closed position. A method of bonding orthodontic brackets to a patient's teeth is also provided. In accordance with the method, a set of orthodontic brackets suitable for bonding on the patient's teeth is first selected. Then, a light curable cement is applied on a rear bonding surface of the base of each bracket to prepare the bracket for bonding at a predetermined later time. Each bracket is then placed in a tray that is inserted into a container housing to significantly limit exposure of the brackets to light. Next, the teeth of the patient are prepared for bonding. Each bracket is then retrieved from the container tray and placed on the tooth on which it is to be bonded. A curing light is then applied on the brackets to cure the cement on each bracket to bond the bracket on the tooth.

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First Claim