Abstract
Process for programming an orthodontic component from a shape memory material starting from an initial shape of the orthodontic component into a target shape to be programmed of the orthodontic component, wherein the target shape compared to the initial shape at least sectionally has a severe bending, the process comprising the following steps: a. providing an orthodontic component (1) of a shape memory material in an initial shape, b. creating a target baking mold for the orthodontic component (1), c. inserting the orthodontic component (1) into the target baking mold, and d. baking the orthodontic component (1) in the target baking mold in order to program it into the target shape, characterized by the following steps after step a) e. creating at least one intermediate baking mold for the orthodontic component (1), in which intermediate baking mold the orthodontic component (1) has an intermediate shape between the initial shape and the target shape, f. inserting the orthodontic component (1) into the intermediate baking mold, and g. baking the orthodontic component (1) in the intermediate baking mold.
Claims
1. Process for programming an orthodontic component from a shape memory material starting from an initial shape of the orthodontic component into a target shape to be programmed of the orthodontic component, wherein the target shape compared to the initial shape at least sectionally has a severe bending, the process comprising the following steps: a. providing an orthodontic component (1) of a shape memory material in an initial shape, b. creating a target baking mold for the orthodontic component (1), c. inserting the orthodontic component (1) into the target baking mold, and d. baking the orthodontic component (1) in the target baking mold in order to program it into the target shape, characterized by the following steps after step a) e. for the orthodontic component (1), creating at least one intermediate baking mold in which the orthodontic component (1) has an intermediate shape between the initial shape and the target shape, f. inserting the orthodontic component (1) into the intermediate baking mold, and g. baking the orthodontic component (1) in the intermediate baking mold.
2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that in step 1a) an orthodontic wire for insertion into a slot of a bracket, a spring, a wire section as a labial arch, or a protrusion spring of a removable appliance, a retaining element of a removable appliance, or a U-bow of a removable appliance is provided as orthodontic component (1).
3. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that in step 1e) an intermediate baking mold is created by which steps 1f) and 1g) are carried out.
4. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that in step 1e) a first intermediate baking mold is created by which steps 1f) and 1g) are carried out, and a second intermediate baking mold is created by which steps 1f) and 1g) are subsequently carried out.
5. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that in step 1e) a first intermediate baking mold is created by which steps 1f) and 1g) are carried out, and a second intermediate baking mold is created by which steps 1f) and 1g) are subsequently carried out, and a third intermediate baking mold is created by which steps 1f) and 1g) are subsequently carried out.
6. Process according to claim 3, characterized in that, when one intermediate baking mold is used, half of the severe bending is carried out by the intermediate baking mold, and in that, when two intermediate baking molds are used, one third each of the severe bending is carried out by both the first and the second intermediate baking molds, and in that, when three intermediate baking molds are used, one quarter each of the severe bending is carried out by both the first and the second and the third intermediate baking molds.
7. Process according to claim 3, characterized in that, when one intermediate baking mold is used, between 50 and 90% of the severe bending is carried out by the intermediate baking mold and between 50 and 10% of the severe bending is carried out by the target baking mold, and in that, when two intermediate baking molds are used, 20-70% of the severe bending is carried out by the first intermediate baking mold, 20-50% by the second intermediate baking mold and 10-40% by the target baking mold, and that when three intermediate baking molds are used, 20-70% of the severe bending is carried out by the first intermediate baking mold, 10-40% by the second intermediate baking mold, 10-40% by the third intermediate baking mold and 10-40% by the target baking mold.
8. Orthodontic component (1) programmed according to a process according to claim 1.
Description
[0029] Further features, details and advantages of the invention are apparent from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing. It is shown in:
[0030] FIGS. 1 A), B) and C) a schematic representation of an orthodontic wire,
[0031] FIGS. 2 A), B) and C) a schematic representation of an orthodontic wire in various process steps of the process according to the invention in a first embodiment,
[0032] FIGS. 3 A), B), C) and D) a schematic representation of an orthodontic wire in various process steps of the process according to the invention in a second embodiment, and
[0033] FIGS. 4 A), B), C) and D) a schematic representation of an orthodontic wire in various process steps of the process according to the invention in a third embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 1A) schematically shows an orthodontic wire 1 as it is present in an orthodontic practice or in a dental laboratory. The orthodontic wire is shown in its initial shape: it is formed linearly, resp. straight and has a length and cross-section typical for an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic wire 1 is formed of a shape memory material.
[0035] The orthodontic wire is intended for use as an orthodontic component in a removable appliance, e.g. as labial arch, protrusion spring, retaining element or U-bow.
[0036] Starting from the initial shape shown in FIG. 1A), bendings are to be made on the orthodontic wire 1 for this purpose in order to insert it in a patient-specific manner into a removable appliance of a patient, wherein the orthodontic wire 1 is previously programmed to a specific target shape.
[0037] The necessary process parameters for baking the orthodontic wire 1 are typically provided by the manufacturer and/or supplier of the orthodontic wire 1 upon request.
[0038] In order to program the orthodontic wire 1 into a target shape, the following steps are carried out: Creating a target baking mold for the orthodontic wire, inserting the orthodontic wire into the target baking mold, and baking the orthodontic wire in the target baking mold to program it into the target shape,
[0039] FIG. 1B) shows a schematic representation of the orthodontic wire 1 of FIG. 1A), wherein the orthodontic wire 1 has a bending 1B between a first section 11 and a second section 12 of the orthodontic wire 1. The bending 1B is carried out as a 90° bending.
[0040] FIG. 1C) shows a schematic representation of the orthodontic wire 1 of FIG. 1A), wherein the orthodontic wire 1 has a bending 1B between a first section 11 and a second section 12 of the orthodontic wire 1. The bending 1B is carried out as a 180° bending.
[0041] FIGS. 1B) and C) show bendings 1B of the orthodontic wire of 90° and 180°, respectively, which are severe bendings for most orthodontic wires.
[0042] The orthodontic wires 1 of FIGS. 1B) and 1C) in the shape as shown are obviously not suitable for the insertion into a patient's orthodontic appliance. However, this simplified illustration of an orthodontic wire 1 having only one bending 1B is sufficient for the purpose of explaining the principles of the present invention, since, obviously, multiple bendings 1B and bendings 1B of varying degrees can be made in the orthodontic wire 1 in order to transfer it into a target shape as it is required for a patient's fixed brace.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of the process according to the invention is described below.
[0044] FIG. 2A) shows the orthodontic wire 1 in its initial shape in which it is provided by the manufacturer. The orthodontic wire 1 is to be transferred into a target shape having a 90° bending in order to e.g. be used as a labial arch in a removable appliance, although this would of course require further bendings. In single-phase programming of the orthodontic wire 1, this would be plastically deformed during direct transfer into the target shape. Bending tests by the treating orthodontist or also by the dental laboratory have experimentally shown that plastic deformation occurs in the wire 1 in the area of the bending, starting from a bending of 60°.
[0045] In a next step, the orthodontic wire 1 of FIG. 2A) is inserted into an intermediate baking mold, which is not shown, and in this is baked and subsequently cooled.
[0046] The result of this step is shown in FIG. 2B): the orthodontic wire 1 has a bending 1B of 45° between a first section 11 and a second section 12.
[0047] In a next step, the orthodontic wire 1 of FIG. 2B) is placed in a target baking mold, which is not shown, and in this is baked and subsequently cooled. The result of this step is shown in FIG. 2C): the orthodontic wire 1 has a bending 1B of 90° between the first section 11 and the second section 12.
[0048] In order to avoid the severe bending of the orthodontic wire 1 from 0° in the initial shape of FIG. 2A) to 90° in the target shape of FIG. 2C) in one step, the orthodontic wire 1 in an intermediate baking mold is provided with a bending of 45° according to FIG. 2B) and is only transferred from this shape of FIG. 2B) to the target shape of FIG. 2C) with the aid of the target baking mold. In this way, the severe bending of 90° was avoided.
[0049] With reference to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the process according to the invention is described.
[0050] FIG. 3A) shows the orthodontic wire 1 in its initial shape in which it is provided by the manufacturer. The orthodontic wire 1 is to be transferred into a target shape having a 180° bending in order to e.g. be used as a U-bow in a removable appliance, although this would of course require further bendings. In single-phase programming of the orthodontic wire 1, this would be plastically deformed during direct transfer into the target shape. Bending tests by the treating orthodontist or also by the dental laboratory have experimentally shown that plastic deformation occurs in the wire 1 in the area of the bending, starting from a bending of 80°.
[0051] In a next step, the orthodontic wire 1 of FIG. 3A) is inserted into an intermediate baking mold, which is not shown, and in this is baked and subsequently cooled.
[0052] The result of this step is shown in FIG. 3B): the orthodontic wire 1 has a bending 1B of 60° between a first section 11 and a second section 12.
[0053] In a next step, the orthodontic wire 1 of FIG. 3B) is placed into another intermediate baking mold, which is not shown, and in this is baked and subsequently cooled. The result of this step is shown in FIG. 3C): the orthodontic wire 1 has a bending 1B of 120° between the first section 11 and the second section 12.
[0054] In a next step, the orthodontic wire 1 of FIG. 3C) is placed into a target baking mold, which is not shown, and in this is baked and subsequently cooled. The result of this step is shown in FIG. 3D): the orthodontic wire 1 has a bending 1B of 180° between the first section 11 and the second section 12.
[0055] In order to avoid the severe bending of the orthodontic wire 1 from 0° in the initial shape of FIG. 3A) to 180° in the target shape of FIG. 3D) in one step, the orthodontic wire 1 in the first intermediate baking mold is provided with a bending of 60° according to FIG. 3B) and in the second intermediate baking mold is provided with a bending of further 60° according to FIG. 3C) to 120° and is only transferred from this shape of FIG. 3C) to the target shape of FIG. 3D) with the aid of the target baking mold. In this embodiment, the total bending of 180° is evenly divided into three bendings of 60° each.
[0056] With reference to FIG. 4, a third embodiment of the process according to the invention is described.
[0057] FIG. 4A) shows the orthodontic wire 1 in its initial shape, as it is provided by the manufacturer. The orthodontic wire 1 is to be transferred into a target shape having a 135° bending in order to e.g. be used as a retaining element in a removable appliance, although this would of course require further bendings. In single-phase programming of the orthodontic wire 1, this would be plastically deformed during direct transfer into the target shape. Bending tests by the treating orthodontist or also by the dental laboratory have experimentally shown that plastic deformation occurs in the wire 1 in the area of the bending, starting from a bending of 70°.
[0058] In a next step, the orthodontic wire 1 of FIG. 4A) is inserted into an intermediate baking mold, which is not shown, and in this mold is baked and subsequently cooled.
[0059] The result of this step is shown in FIG. 4B): the orthodontic wire 1 has a bending 1B of 60° between a first section 11 and a second section 12.
[0060] In a next step, the orthodontic wire 1 of FIG. 4B) is placed into another intermediate baking mold, which is not shown, and in this is baked and subsequently cooled.
[0061] The result of this step is shown in FIG. 4C): the orthodontic wire 1 has a bending 1B of 110° between the first section 11 and the second section 12.
[0062] In a next step, the orthodontic wire 1 of FIG. 4C) is placed into a target baking mold, which is not shown, and in this is baked and subsequently cooled.
[0063] The result of this step is shown in FIG. 4D): the orthodontic wire 1 has a bending 1B of 135° between the first section 11 and the second section 12.
[0064] In order to avoid the severe bending of the orthodontic wire 1 from 0° in the initial shape of FIG. 4A) to 135° in the target shape of FIG. 4D) in one step, the orthodontic wire 1 in a first intermediate baking mold is provided with a bending of 60° according to FIG. 4B) and in a second intermediate baking mold is provided with a bending of a further 50° according to FIG. 4C) to 110° and is only transferred from this shape of FIG. 4C) into the target shape of FIG. 4D) with the aid of the target baking mold. In this embodiment, the total bending of 135° is unevenly divided into three bendings of 60° and then 50° and then 25° in the respective baking molds.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0065] 1 orthodontic wire [0066] 11 first section of the orthodontic wire [0067] 12 second section of the orthodontic wire [0068] 1B bending
