Clarity™ Advanced Ceramic Brackets are intended for use in orthodontic treatment. The brackets are affixed to teeth so that pressure can be exerted on the teeth.
Device Story
Clarity Advanced Ceramic Brackets are orthodontic appliances used by orthodontists to move teeth. The device consists of a translucent alumina body with a glass-grit bonding base, optionally coated with stabilized zirconia. Brackets are bonded to teeth; an orthodontic wire is inserted into the bracket slots to apply corrective pressure. The system includes a water-soluble color placement indicator to assist in positioning and identification. The device is used in a clinical setting by a physician. The primary benefit is the aesthetic correction of tooth alignment. Performance is verified through bench testing of bond strength, bracket strength, material friction, and debonding characteristics.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical performance testing was conducted. Evidence is based on non-clinical bench testing comparing the subject device to predicate devices. Evaluated properties included shear-peel bond strength, torsional bracket strength, surface material friction, and squeeze debond moments. Results confirmed performance is comparable to predicates and meets minimum requirements.
Technological Characteristics
Ceramic bracket body (microfine ceramic) with glass-grit bonding base. Optional stabilized zirconia coating. Features include true-twin tiewings, base flanges for adhesive cleanup, and vertical slot/stress concentrator for debonding. Rounded corners and edges. Water-soluble color indicators for positioning. Non-powered, passive mechanical device.
Indications for Use
Indicated for use in orthodontic treatment to exert pressure on teeth for repositioning.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An orthodontic plastic bracket is a plastic device intended to be bonded to a tooth to apply pressure to a tooth from a flexible orthodontic wire to alter its position.
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K102803
#### 510(k) Summary
FEB 17 2011
| 510(k) Submitter | 3M Unitek Corp, 2724 S Peck Rd, Monrovia, CA 91016 |
|----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact person | L. Marlyn Scheff, Regulatory Affairs<br>Phone: (626) 574-4496 |
| Date Summary was Prepared | January 12, 2011 |
| Device Name | Clarity™ Advanced Ceramic Brackets |
| Common Name | Orthodontic ceramic bracket |
| Recommended Classification | Orthodontic ceramic bracket<br>(21 CFR 872.5470, Product Code: NJM) |
#### Predicate Devices
K062345, Clarity™ SL Self-Ligating Ceramic Brackets K944286, Clarity™ Metal-Reinforced Ceramic Brackets K950992, InVu® Aesthetic Braces K082974, Mystique® MB Clear Braces
#### Description of Device
Clarity Advanced Ceramic Brackets are intended to teeth, upon which an orthodontic wire is used to move the teeth to new positions. Clarity Advanced Ceramic Brackets consist of a translucent alumina body and a glass-grit bonding base. The bracket is either uncoated or coated with a thin film of stabilized zirconia. The brackets incorporate a watersoluble color placement indicator system that marks archwire and vertical slots to aid in bracket positioning and color codes tie wing(s) to facilitate bracket identification.
#### Indications for Use
Clarity™ Advanced Ceramic Brackets are intended for use in orthodontic treatment. The brackets are affixed to teeth so that pressure can be exerted on the teeth.
#### Substantial Equivalence
Both the non-clinical data and the biocompatibility evaluation indicate that Clarity™ Advanced Ceramic Brackets are safe and effective for their intended use in orthodontic treatment and perform as well or better than predicate devices. The table on the next page compares the new device with the predicate devices. Information provided in this 510(k) submission shows that Clarity™ Advanced Ceramic Brackets are substantially equivalent to the predicate devices in terms of intended use, indications for use, composition, device design, and performance. This 510(k) also includes data from bench testing to evaluate the performance of Clarity™ Advanced Ceramic Brackets compared to the predicate devices. The properties evaluated include bond strength, bracket strength, material friction, and debond strength.
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## Technological Characteristics
Clarity Advanced Ceramic Brackets are substantially equivalent in design features to the predicate devices.
## Device Material
Clarity Advanced, Clarity SL, Clarity, InVu and Mystique MB brackets all are have a bracket body made of ceramic, with Clarity Advanced, Clarity SL, and InVu brackets made of microfine ceramic. Clarity Advanced, Clarity SL, and Clarity have a glass-grit bonding base whereas In Vu has a molded polymer bonding base and Mystique MB have a molded alumina bonding base. Clarity Advanced has a zirconia, or no coating, on the bracket and in the archwire slot, Clarity SL has a metal liner, or no liner, in the archwire slot, Clarity has a metal liner in the archwire slot. InVu has no liner or coating in the archwire slot, and Mystique MB has a silica coating in the archwire slot. Clarity Advanced has color slot & dot indicators whereas Clarity SL. Clarity, InVu have color dot indicators and Mystique MB has no color indicators.
## Device Design
Clarity Advanced, Clarity SL, Clarity, InVu and Mystique MB brackets all have tiewing undercut spaces for orthodontic ligatures. Clarity Advanced, Clarity SL, Clarity and InVu brackets have true-twin tiewings, i.e. four tiewings, for versatile use with auxiliaries. Clarity Advanced. Clarity, and In Vu brackets contain base flanges for bracket placement and adhesive flash cleanup. Clarity Advanced, Clarity SL and InVu brackets contain a molded ceramic bracket body with rounded corners and edges, which replaces the angular profile of machined ceramic brackets, and round hook on the distal-gingival tiewings. Clarity Advanced, Clarity SL and Clarity brackets contain vertical slot and stress concentrator to facilitate debonding of the bracket from the tooth.
#### Nonclinical Performance Testing
The nonclinical performance testing analysis shows that Clarity Advanced Ceramic Brackets perform comparably to the predicate devices as follows:
- 1. The shear-peel bond strength test measures the force required to debond a bracket when a force is applied in the occlusal direction. The test results showed that the bond strengths of Clarity Advanced, Clarity SL and Clarity brackets are comparable and exceed the minimum bond strength to hold the bracket to the tooth.
- 2. The bracket strength test measures the torsional force to break a bracket when a rectangular archwire is twisted in the wire slot. The test results showed that the bracket strengths of Clarity Advanced Ceramic Brackets are comparable to Clarity Metal-Reinforced Ceramic Brackets and InVu Aesthetic Braces and exceed the minimum requirements.
- 3. The bracket material friction test measures the surface frictional forces of a stainless steel wire against a bracket surface. The test results showed that the zirconia-coated aluminum i oxide surface exhibited lower coefficients of friction as compared to the uncoated aluminum oxide surface.
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- 4. The squeeze debond test measures the forces applied to the sections left and right of the vertical slot in the Clarity Advanced, Clarity and Clarity SL brackets which cause the bracket to debond from the adhesive. The test results showed that squeeze debond moments for Clarity Advanced Ceramic Brackets are comparable to those for Clarity™ SL brackets and slightly lower for Clarity brackets.
In addition, a biocompatibility assessment was developed for Clarity Advanced Ceramic Brackets using standard risk assessment techniques and consideration of FDA and internationally recognized guidelines.
# Clinical Performance Testing
No clinical performance testing was conducted on Clarity™ Advanced Ceramic Brackets.
## Conclusion
The results from the nonclinical performance testing and the biocompatibility assessment demonstrate that Clarity Advanced Ceramic Brackets are safe and effective for their intended use and perform as well as predicate devices.
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## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized caduceus symbol, which features three wavy lines emanating from a central point. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES USA" is arranged in a circular fashion around the caduceus.
#### Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room-WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Ms. Marlyn L. Scheff Regulatory Affairs 3M UNITEK Corporation 2724 South Peck Road Monrovia, California 91016
FEB 17 2011
Re: K102803
Trade/Device Name: Clarity" Advanced Ceramic Brackets Regulation Number: 21 CFR 872.5470 Regulation Name: Orthodontic Plastic Bracket Regulatory Class: II Product Code: NJM Dated: January 26, 2011 Received: February 1, 2011
Dear Ms. Scheff:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration. Please note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you, however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
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Page 2- Ms. Scheff
Enclosure
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801). please go to
http://www.fdaggov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDRH/CDRHOffices/ucm115809.htm for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) Office of Compliance. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm for the CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance.
You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely vours.
Anstmen Un
Anthony D. Watson, B.S., M.S., M.B.A. Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, Infection Control and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): K102803
Device Name: ClarityTM Advanced Ceramic Brackets
Indications for Use:
Clarity™ Advanced Ceramic Brackets are intended for use in orthodontic treatment. The brackets are affixed to teeth so that pressure can be exerted on the teeth.
Prescription Use X (Per 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
# PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Page 1 of 1
Susan Runse
(Division Sign-Off) (Division Sign-On)
Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital Infection Control, Dental Devices
510(k) Number: CD 2803
Two short videos show you everything — or skip straight to the written tutorial if you'd rather read. You can reopen this any time from the Tutorial button in the top bar.
Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
Part 2 — Embeddings: the galaxy map 3 min
1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
Use the checkboxes above the results to narrow: SaMD keeps only software-only devices, AI / ML keeps only devices with AI.
Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
Where do you find a device's intended use without opening the PDF?
Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.