Norris Metal Bracket Systemresearched

Quick facts

Field	Value
ID	OA-0122
Type	bracket
Category	bracket
Fixed/removable	fixed
Primary function	fixed appliance bracket — metal passive self-ligating
Manufacturer	DynaFlex
Designer	Dr. Robert "Tito" Norris
Material	cobalt-chromium (nickel-free)
Slot	.020 × .026
Period	modern
Status	current

Overview

The Norris Metal Bracket System is the metal counterpart to the Norris 20/26 Clear Bracket Norris 20/26 Clear Bracket System, sharing the same .020 × .026 slot dimension, spring-clip passive self-ligation mechanism, and cobalt-chromium nickel-free construction. The metal version provides additional strength and reduced brittleness compared to the ceramic version — appropriate for posterior teeth, deep bite cases, or practices that prefer metal for full-arch bonding while using the ceramic version only anteriorly. The spring-clip door snaps open and closed at the 50% travel point, a proprietary mechanism unique to the Norris system.

Clinical & technical

Mechanism of action

Identical to the Norris 20/26 Clear Norris 20/26 Clear Bracket System: passive self-ligating spring-clip holds the archwire without elastomeric ligatures. The .020 × .026 slot provides precision torque control. Four true tie-wings with undercuts accommodate conventional ligation when needed. The cobalt-chromium construction is nickel-free, suitable for patients with nickel allergies.

Indications & case selection

Full-arch fixed appliance treatment; nickel-sensitive patients; practices adopting the Norris 20/26 system who want a metal option for posterior or deep bite cases; practitioners transitioning from .022 systems who want a complete metal SL option.

Contraindications & limitations

.020 slot is smaller than the standard .022 — prescriptions and wire sequences must be adapted; cobalt-chromium may have different handling properties than standard SS brackets; higher cost than standard metal brackets.

Design & fabrication

Components & materials

• Cobalt-chromium metal bracket body (nickel-free)
• Spring-clip passive SL door (snaps at 50% travel, same as clear

version)

• .020 × .026 slot
• Four true tie-wings with undercuts
• Smooth low-profile contours

Lab fabrication notes

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

Common variants & modifications

• Norris 20/26 Clear — ceramic version Norris 20/26 Clear Bracket System
• Damon Q — Ormco metal SL bracket competitor
• In-Ovation R — DENTSPLY metal interactive SL bracket competitor

Common variants & modifications

• Norris 2026 Clear (Norris 20/26 Clear Bracket System): ceramic

version of same system

• Norris Mini Metal: reduced-profile version for lower incisors

and smaller teeth

• Norris with bonded lingual retainer package: Norris metal

prescribed with direct-bond lingual retainer at debond as standard CFL finish

• Norris in Roth vs. MBT prescription: same bracket system

available in multiple prescription torque/angulation configurations

• Norris self-ligating: if available in the system — passive

self-ligating variant

Also known as

• Norris metal bracket (commonname)_
• Norris 20/26 metal (descriptor)
• DynaFlex Norris metal (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 —

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

Research log

• 2026-06-09 — deep-research pass: metal vs ceramic Norris 20/26

comparison, Co-Cr nickel-free, .020 slot.