MICROCAPSULE FOR USE IN THE TREATMENT OF TOOTH MISALIGNMENT BY MEANS OF PLASTIC SPLINTS OR ALIGNERS

Abstract

A microcapsule for use in the treatment of dental malocclusions/misalignments based on plastic splints or aligners. The microcapsule is a few ?m, such as 0.5 ?m to 200 ?m in size and has a shell made of plastic or glass or ceramic, the shell is filled with a liquid in the interior, and the shell breaks open when it experiences a force and releases the liquid, which can be detected optically, for example, by a color change or illumination with UV light.

Claims

1. A Microcapsule for use in the treatment of dental malocclusions using plastic splints or aligners, comprising: a shell made of plastic or glass or ceramic, the shell is filled in the interior with a liquid, and the shell breaks open when it experiences a defined force and releases the liquid, which can be detected optically preferably by a color change or illumination with UV light, wherein the microcapsule has a size of 0.5 ?m to 200 ?m.

2. The microcapsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein the filled liquid is colored upon release.

3. A combination of microcapsules according to claim 1, wherein the combination of microcapsules have liquid with different colors on release and each microcapsule of the combination of microcapsules break open at differently defined forces.

4. A spray for use in the treatment of dental malocclusions by plastic splints or aligners wherein the spray comprises a type or combination of different types of microcapsules according to claim 1.

5. A paste for use in the treatment of dental malocclusions by plastic splints or aligners wherein the paste comprises a type or combination of different types of microcapsules according to claim 1.

6. A foil for use in the treatment of dental malocclusions by plastic splints or aligners wherein the foil comprises a type or combination of different types of microcapsules according to claim 1.

7. (canceled)

8. A powder for use in the treatment of dental malocclusions by plastic splints or aligners characterized in that the powder comprises a type or combination of different types of microcapsules according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the following description, the present invention will be explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, whereby

[0018] FIG. 1-shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a microcapsule according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2-shows a schematic view of an aligner from below on whose inner side microcapsules have been applied;

[0020] FIG. 3-shows a schematic front view of an aligner with microcapsules applied to the inner side.

[0021] The reference numbers shown in the drawings designate the elements listed below, which are referred to in the following description of the exemplary embodiments. [0022] 1 Microcapsule [0023] 2. Shell [0024] 3. Liquid [0025] 4. Dye [0026] 5. Aligner/Plastic splint

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a microcapsule (1) according to one embodiment. According to the present invention, microcapsules (1) are used in the treatment of tooth malocclusions or misalignments by means of plastic splints (5) or aligners (5). These are a few ?m in size and each has a shell (2) made of plastic or glass or ceramic. The shell (2) is filled with a liquid (3) on the inside. Furthermore, the shell (2) breaks open when it experiences a defined force, and the liquid (3), which can be detected optically preferably by a color change or UV light, is released.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the microcapsules (1) can be filled with a liquid (3) which is or becomes colored upon release.

[0029] For the successful application of an aligner (5), it must apply forces between 0.05N and 5N to a tooth, depending on the planned treatment. This results in a compressive stress X=0.01 to 1 MPa which occurs between the tooth and the aligner (5). If the microcapsules (1), which are sensitive to the compressive stress X, are applied between the tooth and the aligner, a liquid discharge, preferably coloration, occurs when the force and thus the stress is reached. If the force is not reached, no liquid (3) is released, and no color effect occurs. According to a preferred embodiment, different microcapsules (1) are combined. Depending on the intended marking and color, differently filled or differently sensitive microcapsules (1) can be used. Different dyes (4) can be used with different sensitive microcapsules (1), for example a yellow and a green dye, which turn blue when released together. Thus, a force resolution can be achieved.

[0030] This is explained with the following example: [0031] Microcapsule (1) according to type A reacts at 0, 5 MPa and turns yellow [0032] Microcapsule (1) according to type B reacts at 1.0 MPa and turns green

[0033] At stresses below 0.5 MPa, no coloration occurs. At stresses between 0.5 MPa-1.0 MPa, yellow coloration occurs. At stresses >1.0 MPa, blue coloration occurs (i.e. yellow+green). Three or more different microcapsules (1) can also be combined for an even wider force resolution.

[0034] The application of the microcapsules (1) can be carried out in various ways. According to different embodiments, the microcapsules (1) are provided as a spray, a paste, a film, preferably an adhesive film, or a powder. The spray, paste, foil and powder can be manufactured, for example, from different types of microcapsules (1) or, alternatively, from only one type of microcapsules (1).