Preformed personalized nickel-titanium archwire

Abstract

This invention discloses a prefabricated personalized nickel-titanium archwire, relating to the field of orthodontic technology. The invention includes: S1: scanning the dentition of malocclusions in a patient's body using 3D scanning; S2: capturing 3D, panoramic, and cephalad images from X-rays of the dentition of malocclusions in the patient's body; S3: taking impressions using printing or plaster; S4: designing an ideal jaw based on the image data and measuring the difference between the in-body jaw and the ideal jaw, thereby obtaining the difference between each in-body malocclusion and its target position; S5: based on the data results, bending and shaping the archwire using equipment to complete the orthodontic representation of all target teeth. By designing the archwire according to the multi-sequence difference of the in-body malocclusions, compared to traditional orthodontic surgery, frequent changes of various archwires are not required during the correction of various malocclusions, simplifying the treatment procedure and shortening the treatment time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dental device technology, and more particularly to prefabricated personalized nickel-titanium archwires. Background Technology

[0002] Fixed bracket orthodontics is currently the most widely used orthodontic technique in clinical practice. Its basic orthodontic mechanism relies on the relative sliding of the orthodontic archwire within the bracket slots, converting the elastic deformation of the archwire into orthodontic force acting on the teeth, thereby achieving tooth movement. However, this "sliding" force transmission mode has an inherent contradiction in achieving precise orthodontic expression.

[0003] On the one hand, to ensure the necessary sliding freedom, a certain clearance must be reserved between the nickel-titanium archwire and the bracket groove. On the other hand, the existence of clearance directly affects the three-dimensional spatial positioning accuracy of the target tooth, especially in the fine adjustment stages such as torsion and torque. The mechanical expression deviation caused by the clearance can directly restrict the achievement of orthodontic quality. Researchers pointed out that the angle between the archwire and the groove indirectly reflects the magnitude of the orthodontic force. In severely misaligned dentitions, the larger the angle, the greater the sliding resistance. However, it is difficult to precisely control this frictional resistance in clinical practice. The orthodontic force applied to the teeth often needs to overcome the system frictional force before it can be converted into effective tooth movement.

[0004] To address these contradictions, clinical practice necessitates a sequential archwire replacement strategy, progressing from fine to coarse, from round to square, and from nickel-titanium alloy to stainless steel, along with repeated bracket adjustments. For complex cases with multidimensional misalignments, the treatment difficulty increases significantly, requiring more frequent procedures. This not only prolongs the orthodontic treatment period but also risks unpredictable complications such as root resorption. Studies have shown that treatment duration is a crucial factor influencing root resorption; cases with treatment durations exceeding two years exhibit significantly higher levels of root resorption than those with shorter treatment periods. While self-ligating brackets, improved from a low-friction and light-force perspective, reduce system friction to some extent, they still fail to fundamentally overcome the inherent contradiction between sliding freedom and precise positioning.

[0005] To address this, the present invention provides a pre-formed personalized nickel-titanium archwire, which transforms the sliding mechanical transmission mode of traditional bracket fixation orthodontic treatment into a non-sliding, precise force application system under the constraint of a positioning body, thus resolving the aforementioned technical contradictions from the source of mechanical transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the above shortcomings, this invention provides a prefabricated personalized nickel-titanium archwire. By designing the archwire according to the multi-sequence difference of the malocclusion in the body, compared with traditional orthodontic surgery, it eliminates the need for frequent changes of various archwires during the correction of various malocclusions, simplifying the orthodontic procedure and shortening the treatment time. The specific technical solution is as follows: A pre-formed, personalized nickel-titanium archwire, comprising: S1: The dental arch of the malpositioned teeth in the patient was scanned using 3D scanning. S2: Capture 3D, panoramic, and cephalometric images from dental X-rays of the malpositioned teeth in the patient's body; S3: Printing or plaster molding; S4: Design the ideal jaw based on the imaging data, and measure the difference between the actual jaw and the ideal jaw. This will give the difference between each malpositioned tooth and the target position. The shape of the archwire bend is selected according to the difference between the malpositioned tooth and the target position. If the difference is less than or equal to 0.5 mm, use a straight bend, a small O-shaped bend, or a small Ω-shaped bend; if the difference is 1 mm, use an O-shaped bend or an Ω-shaped bend; if the difference is 2 mm to 5 mm, use a large Ω-shaped bend or a double straight bend; if the difference is 5 mm to 10 mm, use a first- or second-level double-curved archwire. S5: Based on the data results, design the displacement distance, torque angle, and axial tilt amplitude of each relevant target tooth during the process of moving from the dentition of the malocclusion in the body to the ideal jaw, and select appropriate bending of various types. Then, the archwire is bent and shaped by the equipment to complete the orthodontic expression of all target teeth. The archwire is made of shape memory nickel-titanium alloy.

[0007] Preferably, the difference between the misaligned tooth in the body and the target position is divided into three sequences, including sequence I, sequence II and sequence III, which correspond to the difference between the misaligned tooth in the body and the target position in the three-dimensional coordinate system.

[0008] Preferably, the bowwire is fitted with a reinforcing rubber ring to prevent the bowwire's elasticity from weakening.

[0009] Preferably, a positioning body is bonded to the surface of the misaligned tooth in vivo, and the curved archwire is sequentially connected to the positioning body. Through the synergistic effect of the archwire and the positioning body, the orthodontic expression of all target teeth is completed.

[0010] Preferably, the positioning body is made of ceramic, alloy, or composite material.

[0011] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention achieves personalized customization of orthodontic plans through precise image data acquisition and professional software analysis, effectively improving the accuracy of tooth movement and the stability of orthodontic results; the use of high-strength positioning bodies that do not require adjustment reduces the need for adjustments during patient follow-up visits, lowering discomfort and time costs during treatment; the pre-formed personalized nickel-titanium archwires are precisely bent and shaped according to data results, avoiding errors from traditional manual bending, reducing surgical difficulty, and improving the efficiency and reliability of orthodontic treatment; at the same time, the diverse selection of positioning body materials can meet the needs of different patients and has broad application prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the preparation method of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the intraoperative application of the present invention.

[0014] 1. In-situ misaligned tooth; 2. Positioning body; 3. Archwire; 4. Reinforcing rubber ring. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0016] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0017] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0018] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A pre-formed personalized nickel-titanium archwire, the manufacturing method of which is as follows: S1: The dentition of the malpositioned tooth 1 in the patient's body is scanned using 3D scanning to obtain a high-precision three-dimensional digital model that includes tooth morphology, alveolar bone position, and adjacent tooth relationships. The scanning accuracy must be controlled within ±5μm to ensure the accuracy of subsequent design of the positioning body 2 and archwire 3 molding. During the scanning process, the patient must be instructed to keep their head fixed to avoid movement of soft tissues or teeth in the oral cavity that could cause distortion of the scanning data. After the scanning is completed, the raw scanning data is imported into dental CAD software (such as 3Shape Dental System) for data preprocessing, including removing redundant background data, repairing minor imperfections on the model surface, and aligning the dentition coordinate system, to provide accurate basic data support for the subsequent personalized design of the positioning body 2 and the prefabrication of the archwire 3. S2: Extract 3D, panoramic, and cephalic images from the dental arch X-rays of the malocclusion of tooth 1 in the case. Use professional dental imaging software (such as Invivo5) to calibrate and fuse these images, ensuring that the image data perfectly matches the three-dimensional digital model obtained in step S1 in the spatial coordinate system. Simultaneously, use image analysis technology to extract deep structural information such as tooth root morphology, alveolar bone density, and jawbone relationships, providing crucial information for the anchoring position design of the positioning body 2 and the optimization of the biomechanical parameters of the archwire 3. During image extraction, strictly adhere to radiation safety regulations, control the radiation dose within clinically permissible limits, and ensure clear images free of artifacts to guarantee the accuracy of subsequent analysis. S3: Printing or plaster impression. Using photopolymer 3D printing technology, a resin model is printed based on the three-dimensional digital model processed in step S1, precisely matching the dentition morphology of the misaligned tooth 1. If plaster impression is chosen, a silicone rubber impression is made based on the scan data, and then ultra-hard plaster is poured in to form a solid dentition model. During the fabrication process, it is necessary to ensure that the model surface is smooth and the details are complete, with the error controlled within ±0.05mm. This model is used to record the patient's original tooth shape and arrangement, serving as the basis for designing the treatment plan. S4: Based on the image data, an ideal jaw is designed using professional software (such as 3Shape Clear Aligner Studio, PlanmecaRomexis 3D Ortho Studio, and 3Shape Orthodontic Planner). The difference between the actual jaw and the ideal jaw is measured using professional software, thus obtaining the difference between each malocclusion 1 in the actual jaw and the target position. Using the above difference data, combined with the biomechanical laws of tooth movement and clinical orthodontic experience, a precise phased movement path and corresponding force requirements are planned for each malocclusion tooth. At the same time, based on the difference analysis results, the optimal attachment position and morphological parameters of the positioning body 2 on the crown surface are determined to ensure that the positioning body 2 can form a stable mechanical coupling relationship with the archwire 3 and effectively transmit the orthodontic force. In addition, the tooth movement process is dynamically simulated using professional software to verify the rationality of the difference calculation and the feasibility of the movement path. If problems such as tooth collision or excessive alveolar bone force occur in the simulation, the ideal jaw design or difference correction strategy is readjusted to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the subsequent orthodontic plan. S5: Utilizing specialized orthodontic software, based on the patient's clinical data, the required displacement distance, torque angle, and axial tilt amplitude for each relevant target tooth during the movement from the malpositioned tooth 1 to the ideal jawline are precisely calculated and designed, ensuring that each step of movement conforms to biomechanical principles. Based on these design parameters, appropriate bends are selected, including first-sequence, second-sequence, and third-sequence bends, to optimize the mechanical properties of the archwire 3. Then, using high-precision specialized equipment, such as computer-aided archwire 3 bending machines (SureSmile, Insignia, and CNC multi-axis bending machines, etc.), the archwire 3 is precisely bent and shaped, ensuring complete matching with the design parameters. The pre-formed personalized nickel-titanium archwire 3 is precisely bent and shaped according to the data results, avoiding the errors of traditional manual bending, reducing surgical difficulty, and improving the efficiency and reliability of orthodontic treatment. Simultaneously, the diverse selection of materials for the positioning body 2 can meet the needs of different patients and has broad application prospects. Finally, through this systematic process, orthodontic expression of all target teeth is achieved, thereby achieving the expected improvement in tooth alignment and occlusal function.

[0019] The archwire 3 is made of shape memory nickel-titanium alloy, which has excellent shape memory effect and super elasticity. It can stably restore the preset archwire 3 shape at oral physiological temperature and continuously output gentle orthodontic force in accordance with biomechanical principles. At the same time, the mechanical properties of this material are highly matched with the mechanical coupling requirements of the customized positioning body 2. After high-precision bending and shaping, it can closely fit the displacement path of the target tooth, effectively avoiding excessive stress on the gums and alveolar bone, and further ensuring the safety of the orthodontic process and the accuracy of the orthodontic effect.

[0020] The shape of each curve is selected based on the difference between the malpositioned tooth 1 and the target position. A difference of 0.5 mm or less uses a straight curve, a small O-shaped curve, or a small Ω-shaped curve; a difference of 1 mm uses an O-shaped curve or an Ω-shaped curve; a difference of 2 mm to 5 mm uses a large Ω-shaped curve or a double straight curve; and a difference of 5 mm to 10 mm uses a first- or second-level double-curved archwire. By precisely selecting the curve shape and radius, frequent changes or adjustments to the archwire 3 are unnecessary, allowing some orthodontic procedures to be completed in a single session. This reduces adjustments required during follow-up visits, lowers discomfort during treatment, and reduces time costs.

[0021] The difference between the misaligned tooth 1 and the target position is divided into three sequences: Sequence I, Sequence II, and Sequence III, corresponding to the difference between the misaligned tooth 1 and the target position in a three-dimensional coordinate system. Sequence I corresponds to the position difference along the x-axis (mesiodistal direction), Sequence II corresponds to the position difference along the y-axis (buctolingual direction), and Sequence III corresponds to the position difference along the z-axis (vertical direction). For each sequence, the archwire 3 bending type and radius parameters are determined according to preset bending shape selection rules (e.g., straight bend, small O-shaped bend, small Ω-shaped bend, etc., when the difference is less than or close to 0.5mm). This achieves precise decomposition and step-by-step correction of the three-dimensional displacement of the misaligned tooth 1, ensuring that the orthodontic force output in each direction meets biomechanical requirements, thereby guaranteeing the accuracy and stability of the overall orthodontic effect.

[0022] Example 1, taking the maxillary left lateral incisor as an example, provides a specific design process through its three sequence differences.

[0023] Based on the target position, the three sequence differences between the target tooth and the target position are: mesiodistal displacement difference +2.5mm (the tooth is 2.5mm off-center), labiolingual displacement difference +3.0mm (the tooth is 3.0mm off-labial), and vertical displacement difference -1.0mm (the tooth is 1.0mm off-center).

[0024] Archwire design process: A 0.3mm nickel-titanium round wire is selected, leveraging its gentle and continuous elastic corrective force to meet the movement needs of the initially misaligned tooth. A mesial retraction bend is created in the archwire section corresponding to the lateral incisor, with a bending radius of 3mm and a vertical height of 2.5mm. The rebound force of the retraction bend applies a continuous mesial corrective force, gradually pulling the distal tooth back. A 15° lingual torque bend is applied to the archwire section at this tooth position, with a bending radius of 4mm. This torque force guides the tooth to slowly move lingually to correct labial misalignment. The remaining sections maintain a standard square wire arch shape to avoid interfering with the position of adjacent teeth. A vertical elevation bend is created at the archwire positions corresponding to the mesial adjacent tooth (left central incisor) and distal adjacent tooth (left canine), with a bending radius of 2.5mm and a height of 1.0mm. The upward elastic force of the elevation bend lifts the misaligned tooth, compensating for the vertical difference.

[0025] A reinforcing rubber ring 4 is installed on the archwire 3 to prevent the archwire 3 from weakening. This reinforcing rubber ring 4 is made of medical-grade high-elasticity, wear-resistant rubber material, and its inner diameter precisely matches the diameter of the archwire 3, tightly fitting into the bending transition section and stress concentration area of ​​the archwire 3. During orthodontic treatment, the reinforcing rubber ring 4 effectively disperses the cyclic stress borne by the archwire 3, delaying the elastic fatigue process of the nickel-titanium archwire 3, ensuring that the archwire 3 maintains a stable orthodontic force output throughout the treatment cycle. Simultaneously, it does not interfere with the precise corrective effect of the archwire 3 on the malpositioned tooth 1 in the x-axis (mesiodistal), y-axis (buccal-lingual), and z-axis (vertical) directions, working in conjunction with the customized positioning element 2 to ensure the durability and stability of the orthodontic effect. Furthermore, the installation position of the reinforcing rubber ring 4 can be flexibly adjusted according to the bending shape of the archwire 3 and the needs of the orthodontic sequence, facilitating standardized assembly in the prefabrication process of the personalized archwire 3.

[0026] A method for using pre-formed personalized nickel-titanium archwire includes: S1: The dental arch of the malpositioned tooth 1 in the patient was scanned using 3D scanning. S2: Extract 3D, panoramic, and cephalometric images from the dental arch X-ray of the malpositioned tooth 1 in the patient; S3: Printing or plaster molding; S4: Design the ideal jaw based on the image data, and measure the difference between the actual jaw and the ideal jaw, so as to obtain the difference between each actual malpositioned tooth 1 and the target position; S5: Based on the data results, design the displacement distance, torque angle, and axial tilt amplitude of each relevant target tooth during the process of moving from the dentition of the misaligned tooth 1 to the ideal jaw, select appropriate types of bends, and then bend the archwire 3 into shape using equipment. S6: A positioning element 2 is bonded to the surface of the misaligned tooth 1. The curved archwire 3 is then sequentially connected to the positioning element 2. The synergistic action of the archwire 3 and the positioning element 2 completes the orthodontic expression of all target teeth. Before bonding the positioning element 2, the tooth surface must be cleaned, acid-etched, and dried to ensure the bonding strength between the positioning element 2 and the tooth surface meets the mechanical requirements of clinical orthodontics. When connecting the archwire 3 to the positioning element 2, the curved portion of the archwire 3 should precisely fit into the pre-set slot on the positioning element 2 to avoid uneven orthodontic force transmission due to connection gaps. Simultaneously, according to the stage requirements of the orthodontic sequence, a reinforcing rubber ring 4 can be added to the contact area between the positioning element 2 and the archwire 3. The direction and magnitude of the orthodontic force can be optimized by adjusting the installation position of the reinforcing rubber ring 4. During subsequent periodic checkups, the bending parameters of the archwire 3 or the auxiliary structure of the positioning element 2 need to be fine-tuned based on the actual tooth movement data to ensure that the displacement, torque, and axial tilt of each target tooth proceed according to the preset plan until all teeth reach the ideal jaw position and achieve stable retention.

[0027] Positioner 2 can be made of dental filling materials such as ceramic, alloy, or composite materials. Composite materials, such as light-cured composite resin, have good adhesion and biocompatibility with tooth tissue, ensuring stable attachment of positioner 2 to the tooth surface during orthodontic treatment. Ceramic materials, such as zirconia ceramic, combine excellent mechanical strength with natural tooth color, making them suitable for anterior teeth where aesthetics are paramount. Alloy materials, such as titanium alloy or stainless steel, possess excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical strength, capable of withstanding the orthodontic forces transmitted by archwire 3 without deformation. Composite materials, through the synergistic combination of different components, can simultaneously achieve good adhesion, strength, and lightweight characteristics, meeting the personalized needs of different tooth positions and orthodontic stages. All these materials must meet oral biosafety standards and be clinically validated to ensure no adverse irritation to the gums and oral mucosa during long-term wear, while also guaranteeing the durability and stability of positioner 2, providing reliable support for the precise transmission of orthodontic forces.

[0028] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A pre-formed personalized nickel-titanium archwire, characterized in that, Its production method includes the following steps: S1: The dental arch of the malpositioned tooth (1) in the case was scanned using 3D scanning; S2: 3D, panoramic and cephalometric images of the dental arch of the malpositioned tooth (1) in the patient's body; S3: Print or take plaster impressions of the existing malpositioned teeth (1) in the case; S4: Design the ideal jaw based on the image data and measure the difference between the actual jaw and the ideal jaw to obtain the difference between each malpositioned tooth (1) and the target position. The shape of the archwire bend is selected according to the difference between the malpositioned tooth (1) and the target position. If the difference is less than or equal to 0.5 mm, use a straight bend, a small O-shaped bend, or a small Ω-shaped bend; if the difference is 1 mm, use an O-shaped bend or an Ω-shaped bend; if the difference is 2 mm to 5 mm, use a large Ω-shaped bend or a double straight bend; if the difference is 5 mm to 10 mm, use a first-level or second-level double bend archwire. S5: Based on the data results, design the displacement distance, torque angle and axial tilt amplitude of each relevant target tooth during the process of moving from the dentition of the misaligned tooth (1) to the ideal jaw, and select appropriate bending of various types. Then, the archwire (3) is bent and shaped by the equipment to complete the orthodontic expression of all target teeth. The archwire (3) is made of shape memory nickel-titanium alloy.

2. The pre-formed personalized nickel-titanium archwire according to claim 1, characterized in that, The difference between the misaligned tooth (1) and the target position is divided into three sequences, namely, sequence I, sequence II and sequence III, which correspond to the difference between the misaligned tooth (1) and the target position in the three-dimensional coordinate system.

3. The pre-formed personalized nickel-titanium archwire according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bowwire (3) is fitted with a reinforcing rubber ring (4) to prevent the bowwire (3) from losing its elasticity.

4. The pre-formed personalized nickel-titanium archwire according to claim 1, characterized in that, A positioning body (2) is bonded to the surface of the misaligned tooth (1), and the curved archwire (3) is connected to the positioning body (2) in sequence. The orthodontic expression of all target teeth is completed through the synergistic effect of the archwire (3) and the positioning body (2).

5. The pre-formed personalized nickel-titanium archwire according to claim 4, characterized in that, The positioning body (2) is made of ceramic, alloy or composite material.

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