Norris 20/26 Clear Bracket Systemresearched

Quick facts

Field	Value
ID	OA-0121
Type	bracket
Category	bracket
Fixed/removable	fixed
Primary function	esthetic passive self-ligating fixed appliance bracket
Manufacturer	DynaFlex
Designer	Dr. Robert "Tito" Norris
Material	cobalt-chromium ceramic (nickel-free)
Slot	.020 × .026
Period	modern
Status	current

Overview

The Norris 20/26 is a passive self-ligating ceramic bracket system developed by San Antonio orthodontist Dr. Robert "Tito" Norris and manufactured by DynaFlex. Its defining features are a smaller .020 × .026 slot (compared to the standard .022 × .028) and a unique spring-clip door that snaps to the open or closed position once past 50% of its travel — the first passive SL bracket with this "snap-past-midpoint" feature. The cobalt-chromium nickel-free construction suits allergy-sensitive patients. Four true tie-wings with undercuts allow conventional ligation when desired. The clear ceramic appearance provides esthetic benefits while the SL design reduces friction.

Clinical & technical

Mechanism of action

The spring-clip door snaps closed over the archwire when pushed past 50% of its travel, locking the wire without elastomeric ligatures. The door snaps open just as easily. In the passive closed position, the .020 × .026 slot holds the wire with lower friction than ligated brackets. The smaller slot dimension provides up to 26% more efficient torque expression compared to .022 slots (per DynaFlex claims). Four tie-wings allow elastomeric or SS ligation when conventional ligation is preferred for specific stages.

Indications & case selection

Adults and adolescents requesting esthetic brackets; practices seeking a nickel-free SL ceramic option; patients with nickel sensitivity; comprehensive fixed appliance treatment; practitioners preferring a smaller slot dimension for initial leveling stages.

Contraindications & limitations

Ceramic brittle compared to metal; .020 slot may be unfamiliar to practitioners accustomed to .022 or .018 systems (requires prescription review); spring-clip mechanism adds some bulk; higher cost than conventional ceramic.

Design & fabrication

Components & materials

• Cobalt-chromium ceramic bracket body (nickel-free)
• Spring-clip passive SL door (snaps at 50% travel)
• .020 × .026 slot
• Four true tie-wings with undercuts for conventional ligation
• Smooth, low-profile contours

Lab fabrication notes

Manufactured by DynaFlex — not lab-fabricated. Lab involvement in indirect bonding only.

Common variants & modifications

• Norris 20/26 metal — metal version of same bracket system
• Clarity SL — 3M competitor SL ceramic Clarity SL
• Damon Clear — Ormco competitor SL ceramic Damon Clear

Common variants & modifications

• Norris 2026 Metal (Norris Metal Bracket System): metal version of

the same prescription system

• Norris 2026 with hooks: same bracket with integrated

canine/premolar hooks

• Norris 2026 Mini: reduced bracket footprint for small teeth
• Norris 2026 in hybrid arch: clear upper anteriors + metal

posteriors and lower arch

• Norris 2026 self-ligating version: if available — slide-clip

mechanism variant in same Norris prescription family

Also known as

• Norris 20/26 (tradename)_
• DynaFlex Norris (descriptor)
• 20/26 self-ligating clear bracket (descriptor)

Sources

• [DynaFlex Launches Norris 20/26 Passive SL System — Orthodontic

Products](https://orthodonticproductsonline.com/treatment-products/brackets-wires/brackets/dynaflex-norris-20-26-passive-self-ligating-bracket-wire-system/)

• [Norris 20/26 Clear Brackets —

DynaFlex](https://www.dynaflex.com/norris-20-26-clear-brackets/)

• [Dr. Robert Norris Unveils Norris 20/26 — PR

Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/san-antonio-orthodontist-dr-robert-tito-norris-unveils-the-norris-2026-bracket-system-to-the-orthodontic-community-301115521.html)

Research log

• 2026-06-09 — deep-research pass: .020 slot design, spring-clip snap

mechanism, Co-Cr nickel-free, DynaFlex fabrication, Dr. Norris origin.