Method of manufacturing a pressure chamber of a mouthpiece and mouthpiece manufactured therewith

Abstract

The present application relates to a method of manufacturing a pressure chamber of a mouthpiece; a method of manufacturing a mouthpiece and a pressure chamber; a mouthpiece manufactured using these methods, a mouthpiece provided using these methods; a J / U-shaped mouthpiece; and a system comprising said mouthpiece. The method of manufacturing a pressure chamber joins a frame portion and a flexible wall portion by overmoulding. The method of manufacturing a mouthpiece starts with a substantially flat member comprising a pressure chamber, and the member is folded and bent into a J-shaped or U-shaped channel configuration. The J- / U-shaped mouthpiece can comprise a plurality of channel segments, and is flexible to traverse along a dental arch and has its handle coupling at the front end of the mouthpiece.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Dutch Patent Application No. 2025996, filed on July 3, 2020; Dutch Patent Application No. 2025997, filed on July 3, 2020; and Dutch Patent Application No. 2025998, filed on July 3, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application comprises three inventions, named First Invention, Second Invention, and Third Invention. All three inventions relate to the same field of 'braces that simultaneously care for multiple dental positions'.

[0004] In this respect, 'dental location' in this document means: the location in the dental arch where teeth are normally located. A dental location may be filled if an associated tooth is present, or it may be empty if an associated tooth is absent for any reason.

[0005] In this application, the term 'this document' means 'the three inventions of this application'.

[0006] In this document, 'dental arch' means: the dental arch of a general user's teeth. This user can be any user of any age, such as an adult, an older person, a teenager, a teenager (still) with deciduous teeth, a teenager with adult teeth, or a teenager with both deciduous and adult teeth. The term 'dental arch' as ​​used in this document includes both the upper and lower dental arches, regardless of whether one or more dental positions are empty or filled with natural or artificial teeth.

[0007] It is well known that teeth need to be cleaned daily, preferably 2 to 3 times a day. Although 'dental care' according to this document can be any type of dental care—such as whitening—the term 'dental care' according to this document includes, in particular, 'cleaning teeth,' such as 'daily' cleaning. Although other methods of cleaning teeth are not excluded in this document, 'cleaning teeth' according to this document may include, in particular, 'brushing teeth.' Although brushing can be achieved with any type of brushing element according to this document, such as ribs or flaps along dental positions or tooth abrasive materials, the embodiments of this document achieve brushing by bristles, which also comprise one or more tufts of bristles.

[0008] In braces used to care for multiple dental positions simultaneously, the care element may need to move back and forth relative to the dental position being cared for. According to this document (i.e., see the definition of 'this document', according to the three inventions of this application), this back-and-forth movement of the care element relative to the dental position can be achieved by subjecting one or more pressure chambers to increasing and decreasing pressure. According to this document, the pressure in the one or more pressure chambers can be alternating (similar to current in alternating current), which alternately increases and decreases, thereby causing the care element to repeatedly move back and forth.

[0009] The first invention relates to a method for manufacturing one or more such pressure chambers, pressure chambers obtained by the method, and dental braces obtained by the method.

[0010] In a dental brace used to simultaneously care for multiple dental positions, the brace may have a single or double J-shaped or a single or double U-shaped groove. A single J-shaped groove allows care for one-quarter of the dental arch at a time. A double J-shaped groove allows care for the left or right half of the dental arch at a time. A single U-shaped groove allows care for the upper or lower half of the dental arch at a time. A double U-shaped groove allows care for the entire dental arch at a time.

[0011] The second invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dental brace with a slot system, a dental brace obtained by this method, and a system comprising such a dental brace. The method of the second invention may utilize the first invention, but may also be used without using the first invention or without using a pressure chamber.

[0012] The third invention relates to a J-shaped or U-shaped dental brace having double J-grooves or single or double U-grooves, said brace being capable of traversing back and forth along the dental arch—as a rail—e.g., a single rail track. The third invention also relates to a system comprising such a dental brace. The dental brace of the third invention can be manufactured using the methods according to the first invention and / or the second invention, but can also be manufactured using another method. Furthermore, the dental brace of the third invention can be a dental brace manufactured using the methods of the first and / or second invention, but can also be manufactured in another manner or have another type of dental brace, such as a dental brace without a pressure chamber.

[0013] The three inventions will be discussed next.

[0014] Introduction to the First Invention

[0015] The first invention may be entitled with the title: "A method for manufacturing one or more pressure chambers for simultaneously caring for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in the pressure chambers, a pressure chamber manufactured using said method, and a dental crown including a pressure chamber manufactured using said method."

[0016] The first invention relates to the field of dental care devices having J-shaped or U-shaped braces, such as dental cleaning devices, which simultaneously surround and care for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing the pressure in one or more pressure chambers arranged in the braces.

[0017] Background Art of the First Invention

[0018] Cleaning, or more generally caring for, the teeth of humans and animals is a prerequisite for oral health and the health of internal organs. A variety of dental care and cleaning devices are available, such as manual and electric toothbrushes.

[0019] Dental care devices can be divided into: dental care devices with care heads and dental care devices with braces.

[0020] A dental care device with a treatment head includes a handle or rod with a treatment head at one end. In use, the treatment head is inserted into the mouth and manually moved along all dental positions to care for each dental position. In the case of a toothbrush, the treatment head is provided with substantially parallel bristles for brushing teeth from one side at a time. When the dental device with the treatment head is powered, a moving system, typically including an electric motor disposed in the handle and mechanically coupled to the treatment element, moves the treatment element relative to the treatment head.

[0021] Dental care devices with braces include J-shaped or U-shaped braces designed to simultaneously surround and care for multiple dental positions. Generally, the brace surrounds the teeth in slots, which may include several slot sections aligned to form a J-shape or U-shape. In the case of braces used to care for teeth in both the upper and lower dental arches simultaneously, the brace typically includes an upper slot for surrounding the teeth in the upper dental arch and a lower slot for surrounding the teeth in the lower dental arch. Dental care devices with braces can be further subdivided into care devices with braces that passively care for teeth from a mechanical perspective, and care devices with braces that actively care for teeth from a mechanical perspective. In passively caring braces, the slots generally include a source of chemical compounds or radiation acting on the teeth, and any care element in the brace does not move relative to the brace. In actively caring braces, the brace is provided with care elements that are arranged in or on the brace and movable relative to the brace.

[0022] In an actively managed dental aligner, the care element can be moved via a pressure chamber disposed within the aligner and operated pneumatically or hydraulically to cause movement of the care element relative to the rest of the aligner by increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber. This is known, see, for example, the applicant's previous WO-2018 / 199760 and WO-2020 / 017963.

[0023] In the dental brace according to the first invention having one or more pressure chambers, the dental brace has the following type, wherein:

[0024] - Braces consist of a frame, flexible walls that are flexible relative to the frame, and pressure chambers between the frame and the flexible walls.

[0025] - The flexible wall includes a care element configured to act on the dental location to care for the dental location, and

[0026] - It is configured to subject the flexible wall to back-and-forth movement relative to the frame by increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the first invention, the pressure in the pressure chamber can be alternating, increasing and decreasing alternately to achieve repeated back-and-forth movement. Such pressure chambers are known, see, for example, the applicant's previous WO-2018 / 199760 and WO-2020 / 017963.

[0028] Considering the limited space available in the mouth, the movement caused by the pressure chamber should be effectively transferred to the back-and-forth movement of the care element, which is made of flexible walls, so that ideally only the care element moves relative to the position of the tooth to be treated. This means that although the flexible walls, including the care element, are deformable when the pressure in the pressure chamber is increased and decreased, deformation of the rest of the aligner must be prevented when the pressure in the pressure chamber is increased and decreased. Therefore, the pressure chamber is arranged between the frame and the walls, which are flexible relative to the frame.

[0029] Regarding the pressure used, it is known that when brushing teeth, the pressure applied to the teeth will be kept below a certain maximum brushing pressure, as otherwise it may damage the gums. For this reason, ordinary electric toothbrushes belonging to the group 'dental care devices with brushing heads' usually have a warning system that alerts the user when the maximum pressure is exceeded during brushing. Regarding dental cleaning devices with braces, it is known from Chapter 2 of WO-2020 / 017963 that the maximum pressure in the pressure chamber can be as low as +0.5 bar (relative to ambient pressure) or lower. Therefore, the flexibility of the flexible wall relative to the frame can be relative to relatively low pressure.

[0030] When manufacturing the following types of braces:

[0031] - Braces consist of a frame, flexible walls that are flexible relative to the frame, and pressure chambers between the frame and the flexible walls.

[0032] - The flexible wall includes a care element configured to act on the dental location to care for the dental location, and

[0033] - The braces are configured to subject the flexible walls to back-and-forth movement relative to the frame by increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber.

[0034] In particular, the manufacture of the pressure chamber is quite challenging in practice. The pressure chamber must be constructed with a hollow space, which should have flexible walls and a rigid frame relative to the flexible walls to withstand deformation. At the prototype configuration level and for small quantities, this can be accomplished by manually assembling prefabricated parts. When manually assembling prefabricated parts, this can be done very carefully to prevent leakage of the pressure chamber. However, as production volume increases, leakage of the pressure chamber can thus become a problem leading to a high scrap rate.

[0035] Therefore, the object of the first invention is to provide an alternative method for manufacturing pressure chambers for dental braces of the aforementioned type. Another object is to provide such a method that overcomes one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Yet another object is to provide such a method that allows for economical, high-volume manufacturing, preferably with a low scrap rate.

[0036] The content of the first invention

[0037] C1: According to a first aspect of the first invention, one or more of the above-mentioned objectives are achieved by providing a method for manufacturing or using pressure chambers (e.g., one or more pressure chambers) in dental braces, said dental braces simultaneously caring for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in said one or more pressure chambers, said method comprising:

[0038] -Step b): Provide the frame portion of the brace's frame in the injection mold.

[0039] -Step c): Provide a wall portion of the flexible wall of the dental brace in the injection mold.

[0040] -Step f): Overmolding, wherein a first overmolding material is injected into the injection mold to attach the wall portion and the frame portion to each other along an attachment ring (which may be a substantially closed attachment ring), such that the attachment ring, a portion of the wall portion surrounded by the attachment ring, and a portion of the frame portion surrounded by the attachment ring define a pressure chamber.

[0041] Step g): Allow the constructed pressure chamber to solidify and remove it from the injection mold, thereby manufacturing the pressure chamber having a frame portion and a flexible wall portion.

[0042] Regarding the terms 'step b)', 'step c)', 'step f)', and 'step g)' and the subsequent terms 'step a)', 'step d)', and 'step e)', it should be noted that these terms are used only as abbreviations for identification, and the corresponding letters a), b), c), d), e), f), and g) do not indicate the order in which these steps are performed. For example, step b) and / or step c) may be performed before step c). As another example, step a) and / or steps b) and / or step c) may be performed in step f).

[0043] With regard to this document, and specifically with regard to the first invention, the following matters are noted:

[0044] Overmolding is an injection molding process in which one material is molded onto a second material.

[0045] There are basically two overlay molding processes: inlay molding and multi-shot injection molding.

[0046] In insert molding, a pre-molded insert is placed in a mold, and a second material is injected over it. Insert molding allows the use of a single-shot injection molding machine.

[0047] - In multi-material molding, also known as two-shot or multi-shot (in the case of more than two materials) injection molding, an injection molding machine is required to allow two or more materials to be injected into the same mold during the same molding cycle.

[0048] In step f), material is injected into the injection mold. This material may be referred to as the first injection material. For example, it is conceivable that step f) occurs simultaneously with step b), i.e., simultaneously with the provision of the frame portion. In this case, the frame portion is provided by overmolding, and the first injection material will be the material used to manufacture the frame portion. It is also conceivable that step f) occurs simultaneously with step c), i.e., simultaneously with the provision of the wall portion. In this case, the wall portion is provided by overmolding, and the first injection material will be the material used to manufacture the wall portion. It is also conceivable that the frame portion and the wall portion are provided as prefabricated portions, which are placed in the injection mold as inserts, and the first material injected in step f) is an additional material (which may be the same as or different from one of the wall portion material or the frame portion material). Finally, it is also conceivable that steps b) and c) both occur simultaneously with step f). In this case, the wall portion and the frame portion are provided by multi-shot injection molding of two materials simultaneously in the same mold during the same molding cycle.

[0049] Regardless of the manner in which the wall portion and / or frame portion are provided according to the first invention, in the resulting manufactured pressure chamber, the wall portion will be flexible and the frame portion will be rigid, with flexibility and rigidity being interrelated. This flexibility or rigidity can begin during curing after injection into the injection mold, if injection has been performed during step f). If the wall portion and / or frame portion are provided as prefabricated portions, these portions may already possess their respective rigidity and flexibility prior to step f).

[0050] Using overmolding to attach the frame and wall portions together in an injection mold to form a pressure chamber allows for the efficient and reliable manufacture of pressure chambers. As seen in other embodiments of the first invention described below, this overmolding can have various specific benefits in different ways.

[0051] C2: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the first invention, the wall portion may be stretchable. According to another embodiment of this invention, the wall portion may be elastically stretchable.

[0052] C3-4: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the first invention, the method further includes the step of: arranging the frame portion and the wall portion in a layered manner along each other to obtain a layered structure having frame portion layers and wall portion layers parallel to each other. Arranging the frame portion and wall portion in a layered manner to obtain the layered structure creates a pressure chamber with a minimum size in its direction transverse to the layered structure, which allows for further minimization of the thickness of the aligner when viewed transversely to the dental position to be treated. According to another embodiment of this embodiment, the method may further include the step of: introducing a pressurizing medium into a region between the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer to separate the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer, the region being surrounded by the attachment ring. This step of introducing the pressurizing medium may be performed during step f) or step g) to prevent the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer from adhering together, or, if they are adhering together, to prevent such adhesion from becoming permanent.

[0053] C5-6: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the first invention—also referred to as the 'intermediate member' embodiment—the method further includes step a): providing an intermediate member; wherein one of steps b) and c) is performed before step f), thereby producing the provided portion; wherein the method further includes step d) in step f): combining the provided portion and the intermediate member to obtain a combined portion, wherein the intermediate member is positive or negative for pre-defining the position of the attachment ring to be obtained after step d); and wherein another of steps b) and c) is performed in step f), providing the other of the wall portion and the frame portion respectively, and obtaining the layered structure and the attachment ring by molding it onto the combined portion. Assuming step b) is performed before step d), the combined portion obtained in step d) includes the frame portion and the intermediate portion, and the wall portion is obtained in step f) by overmolding the wall portion onto the combined portion. Assuming step c) is performed before step d), the combined portion obtained in step d) includes the wall portion and the intermediate portion, and the frame portion is obtained in step f) by overmolding the frame portion onto the combined portion. If the middle portion is positive, used to predefine the position of the attachment ring, then when the wall portion is attached to the frame portion, the middle portion will become part of the attachment ring. If the middle portion is negative, used to predefine the position of the attachment ring, then the middle portion frees the provided portion while freeing the position of the attachment ring, and will not become part of the attachment ring when the wall portion is attached to the frame portion. To prevent the middle member from moving relative to the provided portion during step f), according to yet another embodiment of this other embodiment, in step d), the middle member is attached to the provided portion.

[0054] C7-8: According to another 'intermediate component' embodiment of the first aspect of the first invention (i.e., another embodiment of the embodiment using an intermediate component), step b) is performed before step f) to produce the provided portion as the frame portion, and wherein step c) is performed in step f). To include the already provided bristles during the manufacture of the pressure chamber, according to another embodiment of this embodiment, it is assumed that the method further includes step e) before step f): preparing the injection mold such that it has a mold cavity defined by a first cavity wall and a second cavity wall opposite to and spaced apart from the first cavity wall, wherein step e) includes:

[0055] - A hole is provided in the first cavity wall, the hole

[0056] -Has an end with a hole leading to the mold cavity, and

[0057] - Fill with brush bristles at the root section located at the end of the hole; and

[0058] - The combined portion is placed into the mold cavity as an insert, spaced apart from the first cavity wall and the frame portion abuts against the second cavity wall;

[0059] The first overlay molding material is the wall material used to form the wall portion, and is injected into the mold cavity in step f) such that the root segment of the bristles is integral with the wall portion. An intermediate member will face the first cavity wall and may contact the first cavity wall at a certain location. Regarding providing bristle-filled holes for the first cavity wall, it should be noted that this 'providing' can take the form of placing an insert into the mold, the insert comprising a cavity wall (insert) having bristle-filled holes. This insert may, for example, originate from a previous manufacturing step, where the bristles are attached to a root segment shared by multiple bristles arranged in different holes. Regarding the root segment, it should be noted that each bristle or tuft may have its own root segment, but it is also conceivable that multiple bristles (or tufts) arranged in different holes may share a common root segment. In step f), the bristles are attached at their root segments as an integral part of the wall portion (i.e., the wall portion and the bristles can be considered one part) to the injected wall portion. This is because the root segment is overmolded with the injected wall material, which can, for example, cause the root segment to embed in or fuse with the wall portion.

[0060] C9: According to another alternative 'intermediate component' embodiment of the first aspect of the first invention, step c) is performed prior to step f) to produce the provided portion as the wall portion. To include the already provided bristles during the manufacture of the pressure chamber, the method may further include step e) prior to step f): preparing the injection mold such that it has a cavity defined by a first cavity wall and a second cavity wall opposite to and spaced apart from the first cavity wall; wherein step e) includes:

[0061] - A hole is provided in the first cavity wall, the hole being:

[0062] -Has an end with a hole leading to the mold cavity, and

[0063] - Fill with brush bristles at the root section located at the end of the hole; and

[0064] - The combined portion is placed as an insert into the mold cavity, spaced apart from the second cavity wall and the wall portion contacts the root section;

[0065] The first covering molding material is the frame material (A) used to form the frame portion, and is injected into the mold cavity in step f). In this respect, it should be noted that the bristles and wall portions can be prefabricated units in which the bristles have been attached to (and therefore also contact) the wall portions, but it is also conceivable that the bristles initially contact the wall portions with their root segments rather than (initially) attaching to the wall portions, and fuse with the wall portions due to the heat of the frame material injected in step f).

[0066] C10-16: In the 'intermediate component' embodiment, according to the first aspect of the first invention, there are several other embodiments relating to providing the intermediate component and / or attaching the intermediate component to the provided portion:

[0067] -According to one of these additional embodiments, step a) may be performed before steps b) and c), i.e., intermediate components are provided before the frame portion and wall portion are provided.

[0068] -According to another of these additional embodiments, step d) includes a first further overmolding step, wherein the intermediate member and the provided portion are combined by overmolding. In this embodiment, it is conceivable that the intermediate member is a prefabricated portion and the provided portion is overmolded onto the prefabricated intermediate member, or that the provided portion is a prefabricated portion and the intermediate member is overmolded onto the prefabricated provided portion, or that the intermediate member and the provided portion are simultaneously provided by multi-material molding. For example, according to another embodiment of these embodiments, the intermediate member is fused to the provided portion during the first further overmolding step.

[0069] -According to another embodiment of these additional embodiments, in step d), the intermediate component is attached to the provided portion by an adhesive.

[0070] -According to another embodiment of these additional embodiments, in step d), the intermediate component is mechanically attached to the provided portion.

[0071] -According to another embodiment of these additional embodiments, the intermediate component may include a 3D male configuration or a female configuration that mates with at least a portion of the provided portion corresponding to a 3D female configuration and a male configuration, respectively, such that the intermediate component and the provided portion mate with each other in a male-female manner.

[0072] -According to another embodiment of these additional embodiments, in step a), the intermediate component is provided by spraying, for example by spraying the intermediate component onto the provided portion. This spray may or may not be an adhesive relative to the provided portion.

[0073] These embodiments can be combined and applied to each other.

[0074] C17: According to several other embodiments of the first aspect of the first invention—also referred to as the 'intermediate layer' embodiment—the wall portion and the frame portion can be fused together during overmolding, and the intermediate member can be an intermediate layer disposed between the wall portion and the frame portion. A key embodiment of the 'intermediate layer' embodiment: the frame portion and the wall portion are fusible to each other when overmolded onto each other; the intermediate member is an intermediate layer; in the combined portion produced from step d), the provided portion is covered by the intermediate layer while leaving an exposed weld ring on the provided portion; in step f), by molding a layer onto the intermediate layer and onto the weld ring, the following are produced, thereby obtaining the other of the wall portion and the frame portion respectively:

[0075] - A layered structure, wherein the intermediate layer is arranged between the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer, and

[0076] - An attachment ring is formed by fusing the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer at the weld ring;

[0077] Furthermore, the intermediate layer is configured to provide a separation layer, which separates the wall portion from the frame portion along when a pressurized medium is introduced between the wall portion and the frame portion. The introduction of the pressurized medium can be performed during the method according to the first invention, for example, in steps f) and / or g), but can also be performed after the pressure chamber is manufactured, for example, during a test procedure to test proper functioning or when the user first uses the pressure chamber.

[0078] C18-19: According to a first further embodiment of the 'intermediate layer' embodiment of the first aspect of the first invention, the intermediate layer—which may optionally be a laminate—has a first outer surface—or, in the case of a laminate, a first outer layer, the first outer surface facing the provided portion and attached to the provided portion in step f) or—if not attached—fused to the provided portion, and the laminate has a second outer surface facing away from the provided portion—or, in the case of a laminate, a second outer layer, the second outer surface being configured to resist fusion with the first overmolding material injected in step f). As an example of this first further embodiment of the 'intermediate layer' embodiment, the intermediate layer may comprise or may be made of polyamide (PA) or polyethylene (PE), the frame portion may comprise or may be made of polypropylene (PP), and the wall portion may comprise or may be made of a thermoplastic polymer (TPE), such as styrene-ethylene / butene-styrene (SEBS).

[0079] C20: According to a second embodiment of the 'intermediate layer' of the first aspect of the first invention, the intermediate layer may be a laminate comprising: a first surface bonded to the wall portion layer, a second surface bonded to the frame portion layer, and a weakened region between the first surface and the second surface, the weakened region providing a separation layer such that when the pressurized medium is introduced between the wall portion layer and the frame portion layer, the wall portion layer separates from the frame portion layer by delamination.

[0080] C21-23: According to a third embodiment of the 'intermediate layer' of the first aspect of the first invention, the intermediate layer covering the provided portion may have an exposed surface facing away from the provided portion, the exposed surface being configured to resist fusion with the first overmolding material injected in step f). According to another embodiment of this third embodiment, the intermediate layer covering the provided portion may have a facing surface opposite the exposed surface facing the provided portion, the facing surface being configured to fuse with the provided portion due to the heat of the first overmolding material injected in step f). As an example of this third embodiment of the 'intermediate layer', the intermediate layer may include or may be made of polyamide (PA), the wall portion may include or may be made of a thermoplastic polymer (TPE), such as styrene-ethylene / butene-styrene (SEBS), and the frame portion may include or may be made of TPE-PA (TPE-PA = thermoplastic polymer that bonds with polyamide when heated). TPE-PA can be, for example, a mixture of PA, such as a TPE of 5-10% by weight of PA.

[0081] C24-26: According to a fourth further embodiment of the 'intermediate layer' of the first aspect of the first invention, the intermediate layer covering the provided portion may have an exposed surface facing away from the provided portion, the exposed surface being configured to fuse with the first overmolding material injected in step f). According to another embodiment of this fourth further embodiment, the intermediate layer covering the provided portion has a opposing surface facing the provided portion opposite to the exposed surface, the opposing surface having a material configured to resist fusion with the provided portion due to heat from the first overmolding material injected in step f). As an example of this fourth further embodiment of the 'intermediate layer', the intermediate layer may comprise or be made of polyamide (PA), the wall portion may comprise or be made of a thermoplastic polymer (TPE), such as styrene-ethylene / butene-styrene (SEBS), and the frame portion may comprise or be made of polypropylene (PP).

[0082] C27-28: According to several other embodiments of the first aspect of the first invention—also referred to as the 'bead ring' embodiment—the wall portion and the frame portion may not fuse together during overmolding, and the intermediate member may be a bead ring. According to the 'bead ring' embodiment: the frame portion and the wall portion are configured to resist fusion when overmolded onto each other; the intermediate member is a bead ring, configured to fuse with the first overmolding material in step f); in step d), the bead ring is placed against the provided portion, while leaving an exposed (or uncovered) area of ​​the provided portion inside the bead ring; and the first overmolding material injected in step f) is molded onto the bead ring and onto the exposed area, thereby producing:

[0083] - A layered structure, wherein the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer are positioned abutting against each other, and

[0084] - The attachment ring is produced by fusing the first covering molding material with the bead ring in step f).

[0085] According to another embodiment of this 'bead ring', the bead ring may be configured to fuse with the provided portion due to the heat of the first overmolding material injected in step f) or due to the heat of the bead ring itself when it is provided to the provided portion by a second further overmolding step.

[0086] C29: According to several other embodiments of the first aspect of the first invention—also referred to as 'prefabricated' embodiments—both the wall portion and the frame portion may be provided as prefabricated portions. A key embodiment of the 'prefabricated' embodiment: the frame portion provided in step b) is a prefabricated frame portion; the wall portion provided in step c) is a prefabricated wall portion; meaning that steps b) and c) are both performed before step d); step e) includes placing the prefabricated frame portion and the prefabricated wall portion as inserts into the injection mold, wherein the frame portion and the wall portion are pressed against each other along the circumferential edge of the prefabricated wall portion; and the first overmolding material injected in step f) is fused with the circumferential edge of the wall portion in step f) such that the circumferential edge of the wall portion becomes fixed relative to the frame portion to provide the attachment ring.

[0087] C30: According to another embodiment of the 'prefabricated' embodiment of the first aspect of the first invention, the insert of the prefabricated frame portion and the prefabricated wall portion may be a layered structure, wherein a portion of the wall portion layer pressed into contact with the circumferential edge of the frame portion layer loosely rests against the frame portion layer. According to an alternative to this other embodiment of the 'prefabricated' embodiment, the insert may include a cavity closed by the prefabricated wall portion and the prefabricated frame portion.

[0088] C31: In another embodiment of the 'prefabricated' embodiment of the first aspect of the first invention, the prefabricated wall portion is provided along at least a portion of the circumferential edge, the circumferential edge being provided with a cutting female portion configured to receive a mating male edge of the prefabricated frame portion.

[0089] C32-33: In another embodiment of the 'prefabricated' embodiment of the first aspect of the first invention, the opposite side of the frame portion away from the pressure chamber is covered by the first overmolding material injected in step f), such that the injected first overmolding material connects the opposite sides of the circumferential edge along the shortest line between the opposite sides of the circumferential edge. In another embodiment of this embodiment, the opposite sides of the frame portion are covered by at least 80%, for example at least 90% or 100% of the injected material (B).

[0090] C34: In another embodiment of the 'prefabricated' embodiment of the first aspect of the first invention, the first overlay molding material is configured to be partially fused with the frame in step f).

[0091] C35-36: According to a second aspect, the first invention provides a pressure chamber manufactured using the method according to the first aspect. According to another embodiment of this second aspect, the wall portion is provided with bristles projecting from the wall portion in a direction away from the frame portion.

[0092] C37: According to a third aspect, the first invention provides a brace for simultaneously caring for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in one or more pressure chambers, comprising at least one pressure chamber manufactured using the method according to the first aspect of the first invention.

[0093] C38-40: According to another embodiment of a third aspect of the first invention, the dental brace has one or more slots configured to have a J-shaped or U-shaped curvature direction for surrounding a plurality of teeth of the dental arch. According to another embodiment of this invention, the wall portion defines the wall of the slot. According to yet another embodiment of this invention, the slot includes slot sections aligned in the curvature direction.

[0094] C41: According to another embodiment of the third aspect of the first invention, the wall portion is provided with bristles protruding from the wall portion in a direction away from the frame portion.

[0095] C42: According to another embodiment of the third aspect of the first invention, the dental brace is provided with a pressure medium connector that is fluidly connected to the pressure chamber.

[0096] C43: According to another embodiment of the third aspect of the first invention, the brace is provided with a handle connector.

[0097] C45: According to a fourth aspect, the first invention provides a system comprising a dental brace as described in the third aspect and a handle configured to be detachably attached to the dental brace, for example, to the handle connector of the dental brace. According to another embodiment of the fourth aspect of the first invention, the handle includes an actuator configured to alternately pressurize and depressurize one or more pressure chambers to move the bristles back and forth.

[0098] Introduction to the Second Invention

[0099] The second invention may be titled: "A method for manufacturing a dental brace with a slotted system for simultaneously caring for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in one or more pressure chambers, a dental brace obtained by said method, and a care system including a dental brace obtained by said method."

[0100] The second invention relates to the field of dental care devices with a grooved system, such as dental cleaning devices, and more specifically, brushing devices, wherein the dental brace simultaneously cares for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in one or more pressure chambers arranged within the brace. In these dental care devices, the grooved system may be provided with care elements that move back and forth by alternately increasing and decreasing pressure in one or more pressure chambers. In these dental care devices, the provided brace and grooved system may be J-shaped for caring for the left or right side of the dental arch, or U-shaped for caring for both the right and left sides of the dental arch simultaneously.

[0101] Background Art of the Second Invention

[0102] Cleaning, or more generally caring for, the teeth of humans and animals is a prerequisite for oral health and the health of internal organs. A variety of dental care and cleaning devices are available, such as manual and electric toothbrushes.

[0103] Dental care devices can be divided into: dental care devices with care heads and dental care devices with braces.

[0104] Dental care devices with a head include a handle or rod with a head at one end. In use, the head is inserted into the mouth and manually moved along all dental positions to care for each position. In the case of a conventional toothbrush, the head is provided with substantially parallel bristles for brushing from one side at a time. Although not widespread and rarely used, toothbrushes with heads for simultaneously caring for teeth from three sides (lingual, facial, and occlusal) are known. When a dental device with a head is powered, a care element disposed on the head is moved relative to the head by a movement system, which typically includes an electric motor arranged in the handle and mechanically coupled to the care element for moving the care element relative to the head.

[0105] Dental care devices with braces include J-shaped or U-shaped braces designed to simultaneously surround and care for multiple dental positions. Generally, the brace surrounds multiple teeth in slots, which may include several slot sections aligned to form a J-shaped or U-shaped slot system. In the case of braces used to simultaneously care for teeth in both the upper and lower dental arches, the brace typically includes an upper slot for surrounding the teeth in the upper dental arch and a lower slot for surrounding the teeth in the lower dental arch. Dental care devices with braces can be further subdivided into care devices with braces that passively care for teeth from a mechanical perspective, and care devices with braces that actively care for teeth from a mechanical perspective. In passively caring braces, the slots generally contain a chemical compound or radiation source that acts on the teeth, and any care element in the brace does not move relative to the brace. In actively caring braces, the brace is provided with care elements that are arranged in slots and move relative to the brace.

[0106] In an actively managed dental aligner, the care element can be moved via a pressure chamber disposed within the aligner and operated pneumatically or hydraulically to cause movement of the care element relative to the rest of the aligner by increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber. This is known, see, for example, the applicant's previous WO-2018 / 199760 and WO-2020 / 017963.

[0107] In the dental brace according to the second invention having one or more pressure chambers, the dental brace has the following type, wherein:

[0108] - Braces consist of a frame, flexible walls that are flexible relative to the frame, and pressure chambers between the frame and the flexible walls.

[0109] - The flexible wall includes a care element configured to act on the dental location to care for the dental location, and

[0110] - The braces are configured to subject the flexible walls to back-and-forth movement relative to the frame by increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber.

[0111] According to the second invention (another embodiment), the pressure in the pressure chamber can be alternating, increasing and decreasing alternately to achieve repeated back-and-forth movement. Such pressure chambers are known, see, for example, the applicant's previous WO-2018 / 199760 and WO-2020 / 017963.

[0112] Considering the limited space available in the mouth, the movement caused by the pressure chamber should be effectively transferred to the back-and-forth movement of the care element, which is made of flexible walls, so that ideally only the care element moves relative to the position of the tooth to be treated. This means that although the flexible walls, including the care element, are deformable when the pressure in the pressure chamber is increased and decreased, deformation of the rest of the aligner must be prevented when the pressure in the pressure chamber is increased and decreased. Therefore, the pressure chamber is arranged between the frame and the walls, which are flexible relative to the frame.

[0113] Regarding the pressure used, it is known that when brushing teeth, the pressure applied to the teeth will be kept below a certain maximum brushing pressure, as otherwise it may damage the gums. For this reason, ordinary electric toothbrushes belonging to the group 'dental care devices with brushing heads' usually have a warning system that alerts the user when the maximum pressure is exceeded during brushing. Regarding dental cleaning devices with braces, it is known from Chapter 2 of WO-2020 / 017963 that the maximum pressure in the pressure chamber can be as low as +0.5 bar (relative to ambient pressure) or lower. Therefore, the flexibility of the flexible wall relative to the frame can be relative to relatively low pressure.

[0114] When manufacturing the following types of braces:

[0115] - Braces consist of a frame defining the socket, flexible walls inside the socket, and a pressure chamber between the frame and the flexible walls.

[0116] - Flexible wall – which is flexible relative to the frame – includes a care element configured to act on the dental position to care for the dental position, and

[0117] - The braces are configured to subject the flexible walls to back-and-forth movement relative to the frame by increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber.

[0118] In particular, due to the limited space available for the entire brace, the fabrication of the slots is a considerable challenge in practice. The slots must: i) surround at least the right or left half of the upper or lower dental arch in the case of a single-slot J-shaped brace; ii) surround at least the right or left half of both the upper and lower dental arches in the case of a double-slot J-shaped brace; iii) surround the upper or lower dental arch in the case of a single-slot U-shaped brace; and iv) surround both the upper and lower dental arches in the case of a double-slot U-shaped brace. The more teeth that will be treated simultaneously when the brace is inserted into the mouth, the greater its volume will be. While the challenges posed by the limited available space are most evident for double-slot U-shaped braces, the advantages of an elongated design will also apply to other braces with single or double slots for simultaneous care of a row of dental positions. An elongated design is one thing, but manufacturing braces with slots containing care elements of an elongated design is difficult to achieve economically in terms of quantity. On the one hand, the external dimensions of the braces transverse to the dental arch must be kept as small as possible; on the other hand, the teeth transverse to the dental arch are also relatively small, which means that the available space in the slots for pressure chambers, flexible walls, and care elements is also small, if not very limited.

[0119] Therefore, the object of the second invention is to provide an alternative method for manufacturing a dental brace with a slotted system for simultaneously caring for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in one or more pressure chambers. Another object is to provide such a method that overcomes one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages or challenges. Yet another object is to provide such a method that allows for economical manufacturing in larger quantities, preferably with a low scrap rate.

[0120] The content of the second invention

[0121] C46: According to a first aspect of the second invention, one or more of the above-mentioned objectives are achieved by providing a method for manufacturing a dental crown with a groove system, said dental crown being used to simultaneously care for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in one or more pressure chambers.

[0122] The method includes:

[0123] - The frame portion provides a step in which a plate-shaped frame portion is provided, the plate-shaped frame portion being defined by an elongated member having a set of side members that project laterally from the elongated member in a plane defined by the plate-shaped frame portion at two or more spaced slot regions.

[0124] -Pressure chamber manufacturing steps, which include the following steps when the plate-shaped frame portion is in a thin-layer state:

[0125] - On one side of the plate-shaped frame portion, a flexible wall portion is provided at the groove region, and

[0126] - Attach the flexible wall portion in the groove region to the plate-shaped frame portion along one or more attachment rings to provide the groove region with one or more pressure chambers defined between each attachment ring, the frame portion, and the wall portion;

[0127] - A folding step, wherein the plate-shaped frame portion having the one or more pressure chambers is folded to a folded state, wherein in each slot region, an associated set of side members are folded into a slot segment about a folding axis parallel to the length direction of the elongated member, wherein the one or more pressure chambers are on the hollow (or concave) side of the slot segment and the slot segments are aligned to define the slot system. Folding to the folded state can be performed from a thin-layer state, but also from a bent state obtained in the bending step, as further discussed below.

[0128] The method according to the invention begins with a plate-shaped frame portion. According to this document, the plate-shaped frame portion is made of a thin layer, thin being relative to the size of a portion in the plane of the layer. In embodiments of the invention, the thinness may, for example, be in the range of up to about 5 mm, for example between 0.5 and 2.5 mm or between 1 and 2 mm. When in a thin-layer state, due to its plate shape, this plate-shaped frame portion is a substantially flat two-dimensional portion, typically made of plastic, resembling a sheet of paper or metal that is substantially flat on at least one side, referred to as said one face, to which a flexible wall portion will be disposed. However, it should be noted that this plate-shaped frame portion may have ribs and / or grooves, and / or may have surface contours, and / or may be contoured, and / or may even have an integral protrusion transverse to the face of the plate. For example, a handle connector for attaching a handle to allow the user to manipulate the braces may exist as a protrusion, as can be seen in the figures discussed further below. Similarly, if not integrated into the handle connector, inlet and / or outlet pipes (parts) for pressurizing the medium to increase and decrease the pressure in one or more pressure chambers may exist as protrusions, and / or inlet pipes (parts) for supplying cleaning fluid to the tank may exist as protrusions. According to another embodiment of the second invention, such protrusions may exist on a face (or side) of the plate-shaped frame portion opposite to the side of the plate-shaped frame portion on which the flexible wall portion will be disposed. As an example of a profile, the transition between the elongated member and the side member can be profiled; for example, such a transition may have some stepped offset, thereby creating a Z-shaped cross-section when viewed along the length of the elongated member. As an example of a groove, the plate-shaped frame portion may include a groove, with the pressure chamber already formed into the groove as a channel for supplying and / or discharging the pressure medium into and / or from the pressure chamber.

[0129] The plate-shaped frame portion is essentially composed of elongated members having a length direction that predefines the length of the slot system and multiple sets of side members projecting laterally from the elongated members in the plane of the plate-shaped frame portion. Each set of side members is positioned at a location called a slot region where a slot segment will be formed. The slot regions are spaced apart from each other, such that adjacent slot segments are spaced apart. A single set of side members may consist of a single flap extending from one side of the elongated member, or it may consist of two flaps, one flap extending from one side of the elongated member and the other flap extending from the opposite side of the elongated member.

[0130] The pressure chamber is constructed by providing a flexible wall portion on one face of the plate-shaped frame portion while it is in a thin-layer state. Although the flexible wall portion may be disposed across the entire face, it is at least disposed in the groove region. While the plate-shaped frame portion is still in a thin-layer state, in the groove region, the flexible wall portion is attached to the frame portion along one or more attachment rings, such that the pressure chamber is defined by the attachment rings, and portions of the frame portion and the wall portion are surrounded by the attachment rings. Providing the flexible wall portion and attaching it to the frame portion can be done simultaneously, for example, by overmolding, as described, for example, in the subject matter of the first invention. It is also conceivable to attach the prefabricated wall portion to the prefabricated frame portion by welding or adhesive techniques. Constructing the pressure chamber while the plate-shaped frame portion is in a thin-layer state—a substantially flat state—allows full access to the groove region. Where the groove region already contains groove segments, such access will be hindered due to the smaller width of these grooves. Essentially, due to the plate shape, the plate-shaped frame portion is advantageous on the one hand for folding during the folding step (and optionally bending according to another step not discussed), and on the other hand for providing a substantially flat surface for unobstructed passage for constructing the pressure chamber in the thin-layer state.

[0131] Regarding the flexible wall portion, it should be noted—and this can also be seen from the accompanying drawings, which will be discussed further below—that the flexible wall portion can be flat or contoured to provide an expansion zone configured to guide the expansion of the pressure chamber to certain parts of the dental arch, such as the interdental region. Alternatively or additionally, the contour can form the area of ​​the root of the attachment cluster. The contoured flexible wall can be produced before, during, or after the pressure chamber manufacturing step. In the case of a prefabricated wall portion, the contour can be obtained, for example, by injection molding. Alternatively, thermoforming can be used to deform the wall portion into a contoured wall portion having the desired contour. Thermoforming can be used before the pressure chamber manufacturing step to provide a prefabricated contoured wall portion attached to the frame portion, or by thermoforming a prefabricated portion into the desired contoured wall portion. However, thermoforming can also be used during or after the pressure chamber manufacturing step to contour the wall portion.

[0132] In the next folding step, by folding each set of side members to create groove segments at each groove region, the plate-shaped frame portion—which may optionally initially be in a thin (or substantially flat) state in the sheet—along with the attached flexible wall portions and the resulting pressure chambers, is transformed into a 3D configuration. The pressure chambers at each groove region will be on the hollow (or concave) side of the groove segment, and the groove segments will be aligned with each other to define a groove system formed by the aligned groove segments. It is conceivable, but not required, that the plate-shaped frame portion is provided with predefined weakening lines at which the plate-shaped frame portion is (more) easier to fold. The folding step may, for example, utilize a folding tool that provides edges around which the folding is performed.

[0133] Regarding the steps for providing the frame portion, it should be noted that the frame portion can be provided as a prefabricated frame portion. However, it is also conceivable that the flexible wall portion is a prefabricated portion placed as an insert in the injection mold, and subsequently manufactured during overmolding by injecting frame material into the injection mold. Furthermore, it is conceivable that both the frame portion and the flexible wall portion are prefabricated portions, both placed as inserts in the injection mold, and both portions are attached to each other along one or more attachment rings by injecting additional material into the mold.

[0134] C47: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the second invention, the plate-shaped frame portion provided in the step of providing the frame portion has two, three, four, five, or even more slotted regions, and the set of side members is disposed in the slotted regions. For example, a J-shaped brace may have two or three slotted sections, but more slotted sections may also be possible. For example, a U-shaped brace may have three, four, or five slotted sections, but more slotted sections are also conceivable in this case.

[0135] C48: As described above regarding the 'frame portion provision step' and the first invention, according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the second invention, the pressure chamber manufacturing step may include the method described according to the first aspect of the first invention (method of manufacturing a pressure chamber). This can produce very elongated designs, such as frame portions and wall portions arranged in a layered manner along each other to obtain a layered structure having frame portion layers and wall portion layers.

[0136] C49: To obtain a J-shaped or U-shaped groove system, according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the second invention—also known as a 'bending embodiment'—the method may further include a bending step, wherein the elongated member is bent into the J-shaped or U-shaped configuration about a bending axis extending transversely to the length direction of the elongated member. This bending may, for example, begin from a straight state of the elongated member when viewed relative to the length direction.

[0137] Regarding the terms 'bending axis' versus 'folding axis', 'bending step' versus 'folding step', and more generally, 'bending' versus 'folding', it should be noted that in these terms, 'bending' and 'folding' are intended only to distinguish function (for 'bending' forming a J / U shape in a groove system versus 'folding' forming a groove segment). This distinction is achieved by replacing each 'fold' with 'first fold' and each 'bending' with 'second fold', or alternatively by replacing each 'bending' with 'second bend' and each 'fold' with 'first bend', rather than using different words. Furthermore, regarding bending, it should be noted that it is conceivable, but not necessary, for the plate frame portion to be provided with predefined weakening lines at which the plate frame portion is (more) easier to bend. The bending step can, for example, utilize a folding tool that provides the edge around which the bending occurs.

[0138] C50: According to another embodiment of the 'bending embodiment', according to a first aspect of the second invention, the bending step may be performed before, simultaneously with, or after the folding step.

[0139] C51-54: According to another embodiment of the 'bending embodiment', each set of side members of the plate-shaped portion provided in the frame portion providing step includes a single flap attached to the side of the elongated member, the flap being generally parallel to the length direction of the elongated member, wherein in the folding step:

[0140] -A first folding axis is provided at the boundary between the elongated member and the single flap, and along the boundary, and

[0141] - Each of the individual flaps is provided with an additional folding axis, which is arranged at a certain distance from the first folding axis and extends in the same direction as the first folding axis.

[0142] According to another embodiment of this example, a single flap (or equivalently all first folding axes) is disposed on the same side of the elongated member, for example, such that the grooved section of the obtained brace is arranged on the lingual side (i.e., concave or hollow side) of the elongated member. This results in the obtained brace, lingual or facial sidewalls having substantially uninterrupted surfaces that prevent tissue from the user's mouth from getting stuck in the brace, which is larger on the facial side than on the lingual side. In this embodiment, the plate-shaped frame portion in its thin-layer state is a substantially straight member (elongated member) with flaps on one or both sides of the straight / elongated member. However, according to another alternative embodiment, it is also envisioned that the plate-shaped portion in its thin-layer state presents one or more serrations, such that the manufactured brace has an intermediate grooved section on both sides having adjacent grooved sections connected to the intermediate grooved section by corresponding connectors that are misaligned when viewed in the length direction. For example, the connector to the first adjacent slot section is located on the facial side of the slot section, while the connector to the second adjacent slot section is located on the lingual side. As will be described in the third invention, this helps to prevent the braces from twisting about their curvature axis.

[0143] C55: According to another embodiment of the 'bending embodiment', when the bending portion provided in the bending step includes a movable hinge, a flexible brace relative to its bending length direction can be obtained, the movable hinge being configured to provide a permanently flexible hinge, thereby allowing the curvature of the J-shaped or U-shaped configuration to adapt to the shape of the user's dental arch, and / or allowing the J-shaped or U-shaped configuration to conform to the user's dental arch when moving back and forth along the user's dental arch.

[0144] C56: As an alternative to the 'bending embodiment', according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the second invention—also known as the 'J- / U-shaped plate portion' embodiment—a J-shaped or U-shaped groove system can be obtained by providing a plate-shaped portion having a J-shaped or U-shaped length direction, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side in the frame portion providing step, wherein each set of side members of the plate-shaped frame portion provided in the frame portion providing step includes:

[0145] - A first side flap, which is attached to the first longitudinal side, and

[0146] - A second side flap, which is attached to the second longitudinal side;

[0147] And in the folding step:

[0148] -A first folding axis is provided at the boundary between the elongated member and each of the first side flaps and along the boundary, and

[0149] - A second folding axis is provided at the boundary between the elongated member and each of the second side flaps and along the boundary.

[0150] C57: According to another embodiment of the 'J- / U-shaped plate portion', according to a first aspect of the second invention, when a first slit is provided on the first longitudinal side of the elongated member of the plate-shaped portion provided in the frame portion providing step, and when a second slit is provided on the second longitudinal side of the elongated member of the plate-shaped portion provided in the frame portion providing step, opposite to the first slit, and when the first slit and the second slit are configured to provide a movable hinge between each pair of first slits and the opposite second slit to provide a permanent flexible hinge, thereby allowing the curvature of the J- or U-shaped length direction to adapt to the shape of the user's dental arch, the manufactured brace can achieve flexibility relative to its bending length direction.

[0151] C58: In order to obtain a brace for simultaneously brushing at least a portion of the upper and lower dental arches, according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the second invention, the frame portion providing step may provide two of the said plate-shaped frame portions, and wherein the plate-shaped frame portions are subjected to:

[0152] -The pressure chamber manufacturing steps.

[0153] -The folding step, and

[0154] -Optionally, bending steps

[0155] After that, they attached themselves to each other.

[0156] This connection can be an attachment that rigidly mounts the slot sections to each other. However, as will be explained with respect to the third invention, this connection can also be a flexible attachment that allows the slot sections to move relative to each other, such as offset relative to each other in a direction transverse to the bending length of the dental brace.

[0157] C59: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the second invention, the flexible wall portion may be provided or may have been provided with bristles protruding from the flexible wall in a direction away from the frame portion, such that in the manufactured braces, the bristles protrude into the groove.

[0158] C60: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the second invention (and the first and third inventions), the plate-shaped portion and / or the wall portion comprises or is made of plastic.

[0159] C64: According to a second aspect, the second invention provides a dental brace that is obtained or manufactured using the method described in the first aspect of the first invention.

[0160] C65: According to a third aspect, the second invention provides a system comprising a dental brace as described in the second aspect of claim 18 of the second invention, and an actuator configured to alternately pressurize and depressurize a pressure chamber to move a care element, such as a bristle, back and forth.

[0161] Introduction to the Third Invention

[0162] The third invention relates to a U-shaped brace for simultaneously caring for multiple dental locations, such as the teeth and / or gums in these locations. The care can be performed by brushing.

[0163] Background Technology of the Third Invention

[0164] Such toothbrushes are known, see, for example, applicants WO-2018 / 199760 and WO-2020 / 017963, which illustrate toothbrush devices with U-shaped toothbrushes. These types of toothbrushes have U-shaped toothbrushes with upper and lower grooves for receiving the upper and lower dental arches, respectively. Bristles are provided inside the upper and lower grooves, which are moved relative to the toothbrush body by a drive system to simultaneously brush all of the user's teeth. In applicants WO-2018 / 199760 and WO-2020 / 017963, the drive system includes a pressure chamber that is alternately pressurized and depressurized by a pressure device, such as a pump, arranged outside the toothbrush in the handle of the toothbrush device. Other toothbrush devices with U-shaped toothbrushes are also known to have other drive systems, for example, for moving the bristles.

[0165] These types of toothbrush devices with U-shaped braces share a common characteristic: despite all efforts to minimize the size of the U-shaped brace, it is still a relatively large object that can be placed in the mouth. This can cause discomfort, especially in the back of the mouth, in the area of ​​wisdom teeth. When a large object is inserted deeper into the mouth, such as when a dentist inserts a so-called spoon to make an impression, it can trigger a gag reflex.

[0166] Most people are sensitive at the back of their mouth, so braces must fit very precisely to avoid triggering the gag reflex. This conflicts with creating mass-market consumer products where "one-size-fits-all" or "universal" is crucial for low cost, consumer adaptability, and ease of use. If the braces are too long, they trigger the gag reflex; if they are too short, not all teeth are thoroughly brushed.

[0167] Referring to US-2012 / 255137 (Chang) and WO-2019 / 198911 (Ziagle), a small roller brush is known to have a single curved aligner body with approximately 3 to 4 teeth in length, wherein an upper groove—an upper tooth receiving section—is used to receive teeth of the upper dental arch, and a lower groove—a lower tooth receiving section—is used to receive teeth of the lower dental arch. This single body is mounted on a handle and used for brushing the handle, which is used to move the aligner body back and forth a short distance along the dental arch in one position. When the teeth have been brushed in said position, the aligner is moved to another position, in which the aligner is moved back and forth a short distance to clean the teeth at said position. These toothbrush devices require brushing skills as good as using a regular toothbrush, requiring care to ensure all teeth are brushed and a fairly long brushing time, just like with a regular toothbrush.

[0168] WO-2018 / 198116 (Dentver) illustrates a toothbrush with a U-shaped retainer having three tooth receiving sections for brushing the upper dental arch and subsequently (but not simultaneously) the lower dental arch. Each tooth receiving section has several bristle support elements arranged on a ridge and flap portions extending from opposite sides of the ridge. Due to this configuration, the bristle support elements are spaced very far apart, resulting in poor bristle coverage and therefore poor brushing action. The retainer has a center tooth receiving section for the front teeth of the dental arch, a right tooth receiving section for receiving teeth on the right side of the dental arch, and a left tooth receiving section for receiving teeth on the left side of the dental arch. The tooth receiving sections are joined together by flexible connectors, and are further subdivided into sub-sections with flexible connectors between adjacent sub-sections. The handle has two arms arranged in a V-shape. At point V, the arm is attached to the handle portion of the handle, and at the free end of V, the right arm is attached to the rear end of the right tooth receiving section, and the left arm is attached to the rear end of the left tooth receiving section, with the distal ends of the right / left tooth receiving sections away from the end of the central section. The WO-2018 / 198116 dental brace moves back and forth along the dental arch. According to WO-2018 / 198116, the back-and-forth movement of the bristles is achieved by an electric actuator alternately extending the right arm while retracting the left arm, then extending the left arm while retracting the right arm, etc. In this way, the tooth receiving section is pulled by extending the arm of V at this time. In use, the V-shaped arm, which extends through the corner of the mouth (i.e., where the upper and lower lips transition to each other) to contact the lips in this corner of the mouth, is vibrated to move back and forth along the dental arch, and also vibrates at a higher frequency to further activate the bristle elements. The arm vibration is transmitted to the user's facial tissue, causing an unpleasant sensation for the user. Furthermore, the toothbrush of WO-2018 / 198116 cannot solve the problem of precise fit that may cause gag reflex by moving along the dental arch and / or brushing all teeth, and is not under the control of the user, thus causing gag reflex.

[0169] US 2010 / 0062397 (Ryca) illustrates a J-shaped toothbrush having i) an upper arch portion for cleaning the teeth on one side (right or left) of the upper dental arch, the upper arch portion extending upward from the central incisors and including the wisdom teeth in use; ii) a lower arch portion for cleaning the teeth on one side (right or left) of the lower dental arch, the lower arch portion extending upward from the central incisors and including the wisdom teeth in use; iii) an inflatable bladder disposed between the upper and lower arch portions; iv) a handle for the user; and v) a handle attachment for attaching the handle to the inflatable bladder. This J-shaped toothbrush is used to surround all the teeth on the left or right side of the dental arch together, thus brushing all the teeth together. Therefore, this toothbrush extends deep into the user's mouth and triggers a gag reflex. Although this toothbrush can become flexible, for example through so-called flexible gaps, to adjust or conform to the shape of the user's mouth, this toothbrush is not suitable for and cannot be moved along the dental arch. This is because the handle is attached to an inflatable airbag located between the upper and lower portions of the braces, and is quite flexible—requiring, for example, an occlusal limiter—and therefore cannot transmit force to the upper and lower arch portions to move the braces along the arches. Furthermore, similar to WO-2018 / 198116, the bristle coverage is relatively poor.

[0170] US 2011 / 185525 (Philips) shows a sufficiently large U-shaped brace body—see paragraph

[0013] —to accommodate all teeth of the upper and lower jaws. This brace body has a small handle element at the front end, which allows the brace to be gripped between two fingers for insertion and removal from the mouth. The brace body is provided with a hinge that allows—see paragraph

[0015] —the side sections of the brace body—i.e., the U-shaped legs—to move slightly laterally relative to the front section of the brace body—i.e., the U-shaped bend—to accommodate various dental arch configurations. Because this brace is sized to accommodate all teeth of both the upper and lower jaws simultaneously, movement along the user's dental arch is not expected, nor is it possible, as there is no space for such movement at the front end of the user's dental arch. Furthermore, the small handle element gripped between two fingers is not suitable for transferring the force required for such movement. This situation is even more serious because these small handle components can become slippery due to water and toothpaste during use.

[0171] The third invention aims to provide an alternative U-shaped brace for simultaneously brushing multiple dental locations, such as the teeth and / or gums in these locations. Another objective of the third invention is to provide a U-shaped brace that overcomes one or more of the aforementioned problems. A further objective of the third invention is to provide a U-shaped brace that is comfortable to use.

[0172] The content of the third invention

[0173] C66: According to a first aspect of the third invention, one or more of these objectives are achieved by providing a J-shaped or U-shaped brace for simultaneously caring for multiple dental positions, such as simultaneously brushing multiple dental positions, when the brace is moved back and forth along the user's dental arch between a neutral position and an offset position.

[0174] The braces, defined in the neutral position, have a front end located at the central incisor (position) of the user's dental arch and a rear end located at the posterior teeth (position) of the user's dental arch.

[0175] The braces mentioned above include:

[0176] - Includes a set of multiple groove sections comprising care elements, such as a brushing element, said set of groove sections:

[0177] -Arranged along the respective J-shaped and U-shaped bending length directions of the braces, and

[0178] - It is configured to simultaneously receive and care for, for example, brushing the user's upper or lower dental arches at multiple anterior and posterior dental positions.

[0179] - A flexible connector that joins the group of groove segments to a row of groove segments and is configured to:

[0180] - Allows the braces to traverse back and forth along the dental arch between the neutral position and the offset position, and

[0181] - As the braces move back and forth along the dental arch between the neutral position and the offset position, the braces conform to the dental arch;

[0182] as well as

[0183] - A handle connector, which is attached to the dental arch, for example, to at least one of the slot sections and is configured to attach a handle to cause the row of slot sections to pass back and forth along the dental arch by applying a through force to the handle.

[0184] The handle connector is disposed at the front end of the brace and is configured to transmit the through force applied to the handle connector to the row of slot segments such that, when viewed in the through direction, all slot segments in front of the handle connector are advanced by the pushing action of the handle connector, and when viewed in the through direction, all slot segments behind the handle connector are advanced by the pulling action of the handle connector.

[0185] A groove segment is a segment that receives or surrounds one or more teeth. A groove segment can also be called a tooth receiving segment, not only in relation to the third invention, but also in relation to the second and first inventions.

[0186] As is common in dentistry, in this document, the term anterior teeth, as a phrase, refers to the central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines, distinct from posterior teeth, specifically the first and second premolars, the first and second molars, and wisdom teeth. Correspondingly, the anterior region of the dental arch is the area of ​​the dental arch containing the anterior teeth, and the posterior region of the dental arch is the area of ​​the dental arch containing the posterior teeth.

[0187] According to the third invention, the front portion of the brace is defined as the following part of the brace:

[0188] - In a neutral position, it extends within the range of the anterior teeth and can overlap with all the anterior teeth of the user's dental arch, and

[0189] - At the offset position, it overlaps with at least a portion of the rear tooth.

[0190] The rear portion of the brace according to the third invention is defined as the portion that overlaps only with the posterior teeth in the neutral position. As in the third invention, the brace can move along the dental arch between a neutral position and an offset position, and the rear portion of the brace according to the third invention does not necessarily overlap with all posterior teeth in the neutral position. Furthermore, it should be noted that the rear and front portions of the brace are defined relative to the brace itself, not relative to the alveolar segment. In this regard, for example, it can be envisioned that:

[0191] - The braces have a single groove section that is entirely within the front portion of the braces, and therefore overlaps only with the anterior teeth in the neutral position (but not necessarily all of the anterior teeth), while in the offset position it may overlap with both the anterior and posterior teeth or (still) only with the anterior teeth.

[0192] - The braces have grooves that extend in the front and back portions of the braces, and thus overlap with both the anterior and posterior teeth in the neutral position, while in the offset position they may overlap only with the posterior or anterior teeth—depending on the direction of the offset.

[0193] In the case of J-shaped braces, the braces will have one rear end because, in the neutral position, the braces extend essentially within one half of the dental arch. In the case of U-shaped braces, the braces will have two rear ends because, in the neutral position, the braces extend essentially within both halves of the dental arch. In both cases, the handle connector is located at the front end of the braces when the braces are in the neutral position. Therefore, when in use and in the neutral position, the handle connector will be located on the central axis of the user's dental arch at the front of the dental arch, or in other words, the handle connector can be said to be located at and between the user's lips. In the case of U-shaped braces, the result is that the handle connector is located in the middle of the curved section of the U.

[0194] According to the third invention, the slot sections can therefore be said to be arranged in a master-slave configuration, with one master component—a single handle connection—controlling all slave components—slot sections. Essentially, the dental aligner according to the third invention can be described as a single handle connection, with the handle attachable to the aligner. The handle connection is positioned only at the front end of the aligner—or in other words, at the center of the bend in the U-shaped arch, i.e., at the central incisor, so that its engagement—acts directly on—the slot section closest to the central incisor—is named the central slot section, and such that the force transmitted from the handle (via the handle connection) to the aligner acts on the central slot section and not on the other slot sections, such that:

[0195] - The normal passage defined by the user's lips can be used to allow the braces to travel back and forth along the dental arch without uncomfortable tightening or stretching of these lips, such as at the corners of the mouth.

[0196] - The handle and handle connection will not reach or barely reach the rear area of ​​the dental arch during use;

[0197] - The braces, when traversing back and forth along the dental arch, do not apply any through force from the handles (connections) directly to the posterior slot section, which is located in the posterior region of the dental arch in the neutral position. The through force applied to the slot section in the posterior region of the dental arch is applied indirectly via the central slot section (and therefore the slot section in the anterior region of the dental arch) and the connectors between the central slot section and the other slot sections. Applying direct through force to the slot section in the posterior region of the dental arch—not according to the third invention—would easily cause discomfort. In cases of diseased or inflamed gums at the molars, this could lead to pain. Furthermore, the pressure applied during care or brushing might become too high.

[0198] When observing braces as shown in, for example, WO-2018 / 199760 and WO-2020 / 017963, the legs of U-shaped braces may be shorter, and the wisdom teeth and second molars may not be able to achieve a good brushing effect.

[0199] According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, each of the slot sections has a receiving slot configured to surround at least one or two teeth. Although brushing can be achieved in the braces according to the third invention using any brushing element disposed on the slot section and configured to brush the teeth—such as a protruding rib or a protruding flap—in yet another embodiment of this further embodiment, the slot section may include bristles protruding into the slot for brushing the teeth.

[0200] C67: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the flexible connector is configured to provide a monorail track section capable of moving back and forth along a monorail formed by the toothed arch. In the case of such a monorail track, with a U-shaped toothed arch, the drive "carriage head" is arranged in the middle of the track, while the non-motorized "carriages" are arranged to the right and left of the drive "carriage head".

[0201] C68: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the dental brace is made of one or more plastic materials.

[0202] C69-71: On the one hand, the applicant found it important that, in order to achieve a high degree of comfort and good brushing effect, the U-shaped brace with tooth receiving sections engaged by flexible connectors should not be too flexible relative to the direction of curvature.

[0203] The applicant discovered that when braces with tooth receiving sections engaged by flexible connectors are too flexible, the tooth receiving sections may misalign relative to the dental arch when pushed in a master-slave configuration. This misalignment causes the receiving sections to latch onto each other around the vertical axis. This latching causes the edges of the receiving sections to press against the gums or teeth. This can lead to discomfort, damage to the gums and teeth, and may reduce the effectiveness of brushing in removing plaque. It can also cause malfunctions because the edges of the receiving sections get stuck in the gap between two teeth. In other words, while braces must be flexible, they should not be too flexible (or in other words, they should be rigid enough) to prevent:

[0204] - The slot section is misaligned relative to the tooth arch, and / or

[0205] - The slot sections interlock relative to each other and / or relative to the tooth arch, and / or

[0206] Too much or too little brushing pressure makes the toothbrush less effective or ineffective.

[0207] In a U-shaped brace having slotted sections (arranged in rows and joined by flexible connectors), the flexibility of the brace is determined by the overall construction of the brace, in which the flexibility of the flexible connectors plays a relevant role.

[0208] C69: Generally, the requirement of flexibility, but not excessive flexibility, leads to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, which can be expressed as: a dental brace according to the first aspect of the third invention, wherein the dental brace and / or the flexible connector are configured to be sufficiently rigid in their flexibility to prevent the slot section (as can be simulated on the basic AG-3 dental model (with 32 teeth) from frasaco GmbH) from being pushed along the dental arch in a master-slave configuration via the handle connector [or the central slot section]:

[0209] - Engaged relative to the tooth arch (and / or relative to each other) around a vertical axis, or - misaligned relative to the tooth arch (and / or relative to each other).

[0210] C70: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention—referred to as the limited torsion embodiment—the groove segment has lingual and facial sidewalls, and the flexible connector between adjacent groove segments is configured such that when the rear end of the brace is held in place by the front end of the brace, it moves 1 cm from the neutral position toward the central axis of the dental arch, and the angular variation of the lingual and facial sidewalls relative to the vertical is at most 15°, for example, at most 10° or at most 5°, in the region from the second premolar to the first molar of the AG-3 model from frasaco GmbH. The applicant has found that when overly flexible braces—e.g., silicone braces—are subjected to forces along the dental arch, these braces exhibit a strong tendency to torsion around the curvature axis of the brace, resulting in increased gingival pressure on one side and decreased gingival pressure on the opposite side, which may in turn lead to discomfort and damage to the gums. These effects can be offset by making the lingual and / or facial sidewalls of the groove segment sufficiently flexible, but this reduces brushing action. The applicant discovered that these effects can also be offset by providing flexible connectors that have torsional flexibility when viewed relative to the bending length axis of the braces. This can be achieved, for example, by providing flexible connectors only on one side of the teeth (lingual, facial, or occlusal side) and keeping the braces open on the other side of the teeth when viewed transversely to the respective connector and bending length axis.

[0211] According to another embodiment of the torque-limiting embodiment, one or more flexible connectors may be at least 8 mm or at least 10 mm, for example, in the range of 10-18 mm or 10-15 mm. In yet another embodiment, these connectors of at least 8 mm are arranged: i) on the facial side of the brace to connect the face sidewalls of adjacent slots, and ii) optionally additionally, at least partially in a position extending in the anterior portion of the brace, such that in the neutral position of the brace, the at least 8 mm connector extends along the anterior teeth. The anterior portion of the brace is the part where the radius of curvature of the brace is most curved (i.e., the radius of curvature is smaller than elsewhere). In yet another embodiment of the at least 8 mm connector on the facial side of the brace, a gap is provided between the occlusal walls (i.e., the bottom) of adjacent slot segments connected by the at least 8 mm connector on the facial side.

[0212] C71: Considering that when pushed in a master-slave configuration, misalignment or locking of a row of slot sections will result in less displacement of the slave member than that of the master member, the requirement of flexibility, but not excessive flexibility, according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention can also be expressed in the following terms: a dental brace according to the first aspect of the third invention, wherein the dental brace and / or flexible connector is configured to be sufficiently rigid in its flexibility such that when the handle connector [or central slot section] – as the master member in the master-slave configuration – moves a distance X cm along the dental arch from the neutral position, the one or both rear ends of the dental brace – as the slave member in the master-slave configuration – move a distance Y cm along the dental arch in the same direction as the handle connector, where Y is at least 70% of X, for example at least 80% or at least 90% of X, and where X is in the range of 1 to 2 cm, for example about 1 cm. This was measured on a basic AG-3 dental model (with 32 teeth) from frasaco GmbH, with the upper and lower model halves pressed together with a force of 5 N.

[0213] C73-74: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the dental brace and / or flexible connector, which are configured to be sufficiently rigid in their flexibility, may also be worded as follows:

[0214] According to the first aspect of the third invention, the dental brace

[0215] The braces described therein are U-shaped (full) braces, which include two sets of multiple slotted sections, a first set for the upper dental arch and a second set for the lower dental arch;

[0216] The brace described herein has a resistance F against the widening of the curve in the bending length direction. AW The resistance F AW It must be at least 0.6N, for example at least 1.2N (N represents Newtons);

[0217] Wherein the resistance F AW Defined as a force acting at the following locations:

[0218] - A tangent parallel to the bending length direction at the front end of the braces.

[0219] - At point Q, located 30 mm from the front end of the brace when viewed transversely along the tangent, and

[0220] -In the outward direction of the braces,

[0221] So that when the handle connector remains immovable, point Q is shifted 10mm parallel to the tangent.

[0222] And / or (i.e., alternative or additional) wording:

[0223] According to the first aspect of the third invention, the dental brace

[0224] The braces described therein are U-shaped (full) braces, which include two sets of multiple slotted sections, a first set for the upper dental arch and a second set for the lower dental arch;

[0225] The braces described herein have a resistance F against the narrowing of the curve in the bending length direction. AN The resistance F AN It must be at least 2N, for example at least 2.4N (N represents Newtons).

[0226] Wherein the resistance F AN Defined as a force acting at the following locations:

[0227] - A tangent parallel to the bending length direction at the front end of the braces.

[0228] - When viewed transversely to the tangent, 30 degrees from the front end of the brace. mm At point P, and

[0229] -In the inward direction of the braces,

[0230] So that when the handle connector remains immovable, point P is shifted 10 parallel to the tangent. mm .

[0231] In the case of a U-shaped semi-aligner (i.e., a aligner having only one set of multiple slotted sections for surrounding only the lower or upper teeth), F AN and F AW The force will be F mentioned above (in this paragraph). AN and F AW Approximately 50% of the value (e.g., 2.4N F in a U-shaped full brace). AN For U-shaped partial braces, the voltage becomes 1.2N.

[0232] C75-77: On the other hand, the applicant found that, to achieve high comfort and good brushing action, J- or U-shaped braces with tooth receiving sections engaged by flexible connectors should not be too stiff (or sufficiently flexible) relative to the curvature length direction, compared to being flexible but not too flexible (or in other words, flexible but firm enough). When too stiff, the braces' ability to conform to the dental arch decreases, resulting in locally increased brushing pressure where the inner or outer walls of the socket section are too close to the dental arch, and decreased brushing pressure where the inner or outer walls of the socket section are too far from the dental arch—but this is not a major problem. Increased brushing pressure may lead to gingival recession and may cause discomfort. Decreased brushing pressure may lead to a reduction in brushing action.

[0233] In other words, while braces must be flexible yet firm enough, they should not be too firm (or, in other words, flexible enough) to ensure sufficient ability to conform to the dental arch as they move back and forth along it. Also in this respect, a master-slave configuration with a slave that is always being pushed works, because by always pulling the slotted section in the rear section of the dental arch directly by means of a handle, unwanted variations in the brushing motion can be counteracted by manipulating the pulling action.

[0234] In a U-shaped brace having slotted sections (arranged in rows and joined by flexible connectors), the flexibility of the brace is determined by the overall construction of the brace, in which the flexibility of the flexible connectors plays a relevant role.

[0235] C75-77: Considering that insufficient fit of the braces to the dental arch when traversing back and forth along the dental arch will particularly lead to increased brushing pressure at the molars, the requirement for sufficient flexibility can also be expressed in the following terms according to other embodiments of the first aspect of the third invention:

[0236] According to a first aspect of a third invention, the dental brace and / or flexible connector are configured such that when the groove section is offset 1 cm to the right or left of the neutral position, the brushing pressure applied by the dental brace to the molar is at most 3 Newtons / cm without activating the brushing element. 2 Preferably, at most 2 Newtons / cm 2 For example, at most 1 Newton / cm 2 [This was measured on a basic AG-3 dental model (with 32 teeth) from farasaco GmbH].

[0237] And / or (i.e., alternative or additional) wording:

[0238] According to the first aspect of the third invention, the dental brace

[0239] The braces described therein are U-shaped (full) braces, which include two sets of multiple slotted sections, a first set for the upper dental arch and a second set for the lower dental arch;

[0240] The brace described herein has a resistance F against the widening of the curve in the bending length direction. AW The resistance F AW The maximum is 3N, for example, at most 2.2N (N represents Newtons);

[0241] Wherein the resistance F AW Defined as a force acting at the following locations:

[0242] - A tangent parallel to the bending length direction at the front end of the braces.

[0243] - At point Q, located 30 mm from the front end of the brace when viewed transversely along the tangent, and

[0244] -In the outward direction of the braces,

[0245] So that when the handle connector remains immovable, point Q is shifted 10mm parallel to the tangent.

[0246] And / or (i.e., alternative or additional) wording:

[0247] According to the first aspect of the third invention, the dental brace

[0248] The braces described therein are U-shaped (full) braces, which include two sets of multiple slotted sections, a first set for the upper dental arch and a second set for the lower dental arch;

[0249] The braces described herein have a resistance F against the narrowing of the curve in the bending length direction. AN The resistance F AN The maximum is 4N, for example, at most 3.3N (N represents Newtons).

[0250] Wherein the resistance F AN Defined as a force acting at the following locations:

[0251] - The tangent parallel to the bending length direction at the front end of the brace.

[0252] - When viewed transversely to the tangent, 30 degrees from the front end of the brace. mm At point Q, and

[0253] -In the inward direction of the braces,

[0254] So that when the handle connector remains immovable, point Q is shifted 10mm parallel to the tangent.

[0255] In the case of a U-shaped semi-aligner (i.e., a aligner having only one set of multiple slotted sections for surrounding only the lower or upper teeth), F AN and F AW The force will be F mentioned above (in this paragraph). AN and F AW Approximately 50% of the value (e.g., 3.3N F in a U-shaped full brace). AN For U-shaped partial braces, the voltage becomes 1.65N.

[0256] Other embodiments of the first aspect of the third invention include:

[0257] According to the first aspect of the third invention, the dental brace

[0258] The braces described therein are U-shaped (full) braces, which include two sets of multiple groove sections, a first set for the upper dental arch and a second set for the lower dental arch.

[0259] The brace described herein has a resistance F against the widening of the curve in the bending length direction. AW The resistance F AW Within the range of 0.6N to 2.2N, for example, within the range of 1.2N to 3N, or within the range of 1.2N to 2.2N, or within the range of 0.6N to 3N (N represents Newtons) 3

[0260] Wherein the resistance F AW Defined as a force acting at the following locations:

[0261] - A tangent parallel to the bending length direction at the front end of the braces.

[0262] - At point Q, located 30 mm from the front end of the brace when viewed transversely along the tangent, and

[0263] -In the outward direction of the braces,

[0264] So that when the handle connector remains immovable, point Q is shifted 10mm parallel to the tangent.

[0265] And / or (i.e., alternative or additional) wording:

[0266] According to the first aspect of the third invention, the dental brace

[0267] The braces described therein are U-shaped (full) braces, which include two sets of multiple slotted sections, a first set for the upper dental arch and a second set for the lower dental arch;

[0268] The braces described herein have a resistance F against the narrowing of the curve in the bending length direction. AN The resistance F AN In the range of 2N to 4N, for example, in the range of 2.4N to 4N, or in the range of 2.4N to 3.3N, or in the range of 2N to 3.3N (in Newtons),

[0269] Wherein the resistance F AN Defined as a force acting at the following locations:

[0270] - A tangent parallel to the bending length direction at the front end of the braces.

[0271] - At point P, located 30 mm from the front end of the brace when viewed transversely along the tangent, and

[0272] -In the inward direction of the braces,

[0273] So that when the handle connector remains immovable, the point P is shifted 10mm parallel to the tangent.

[0274] In the case of a U-shaped semi-aligner (i.e., a aligner having only one set of multiple slotted sections for surrounding only the lower or upper teeth), F AN and F AW The force will be F mentioned above (in this paragraph). AN and F AW Approximately 50% of the value (e.g., 2.4N F in a U-shaped full brace). AN For U-shaped partial braces, the voltage becomes 1.2N.

[0275] C72: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the dental brace includes two sets of the plurality of groove sections, a first set for the upper dental arch and a second set for the lower dental arch, the second set being attached to the first set.

[0276] C78: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the dental brace is a U-shaped (full) dental brace comprising two sets of the plurality of groove segments, a first set for the upper dental arch and a second set for the lower dental arch, wherein when the U-shaped dental brace is placed between the upper and lower halves of a basic AG-3 model from frasaco GmbH and the halves are pressed together with a force of 5N while the dental brace surrounds the lower and upper teeth of the AG-3 model, the following force is applied:

[0277] - A force is applied to the handle connector in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the toothed arch of the AG-3 model, and

[0278] - The force required to move the brace 1 cm from its neutral position along the teeth of the AG-3 model.

[0279] The force will be at most 20 Newtons, for example, at most 17.5 Newtons or at most 15 Newtons. In the case of a U-shaped partial brace (i.e., a brace having only one set of multiple slotted sections for surrounding only the lower or upper teeth), the force will be in the range of 70-100% of the value of a U-shaped full brace, i.e., at most 28-40 Newtons, for example, at most 24.5-35 Newtons or at most 21-30 Newtons. In the case of a J-shaped full brace surrounding both the lower and upper teeth, the same value as that of a U-shaped partial brace can be applied.

[0280] C79-81: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the length of the legs of the J-shaped or U-shaped brace can be reduced to increase comfort while still allowing brushing of the entire dental arch. In this regard, it should be noted that gag reflexes can be reduced by inserting the brace deeply into the mouth only on one side, by inserting it deeply only temporarily, and by inserting it deeply on one side but under the complete control of the user with the manual operating handle. The first embodiment of these embodiments can be phrased as a brace according to the third invention, wherein when viewed along the dental arch of the basic AG-3 dental model (with 32 teeth) from frasaco GmbH, the length of the brace is such that the second molar is in the neutral position outside the brace, while in another embodiment the first molar may be located inside the brace 3 and wherein the brace is configured to traverse back and forth along the dental arch from the neutral position to (and including) the position of the wisdom tooth. The second embodiment of these embodiments can be described as a brace according to a third invention, wherein, when viewed along the dental arch of a basic AG-3 dental model (with 32 teeth) from frasaco GmbH, the length of the brace is such that the first molar is located outside the brace in the neutral position, while in another embodiment the second molar may be located inside the brace 3, and wherein the brace is configured to traverse back and forth along the dental arch from the neutral position to (and including) the position of the wisdom tooth. The third embodiment of these embodiments can be described as a brace according to a third invention, wherein, when viewed along the dental arch of a basic AG-3 dental model (with 32 teeth) from frasaco GmbH, the length of the brace is such that the first molar is located outside the brace in the neutral position, while in another embodiment the second molar may be located inside the brace 3, and wherein the brace is configured to traverse back and forth along the dental arch from the neutral position to (and including) the position of the second molar. This third embodiment is particularly suitable for users without wisdom teeth.

[0281] C82-83: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the groove segment—which may be one or more groove segments—located at least partially in the anterior portion of a basic AG-3 dental model (with 32 teeth) from farasaco GmbH when in a neutral position, has a receiving groove configured to surround at least one or at least two teeth and defined by a facial wall portion and a lingual wall portion, and the length of the lingual wall portion is shorter than the length of the facial wall portion when viewed in the curvature direction. Making the length of the lingual wall portion of the groove segment in the anterior portion of the dental arch shorter than the length of the facial wall portion of this groove segment allows the groove segment to traverse more smoothly along the anterior arch segment of the dental arch, which is the segment of the first premolar from right to left. According to another embodiment of this embodiment, the length of the lingual wall portion is at most 75% of the length of the facial wall portion when viewed in the curvature direction. This prevents the end of the lingual wall from getting stuck in the recess between adjacent teeth when viewed in the curvature direction.

[0282] C84: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention having two sets of said groove sections, the braces are configured such that, when traversing back and forth along the dental arch, the first set experiences a first contact with the upper dental arch, and the second set experiences a second contact with the lower dental arch, wherein the second contact may differ from the first contact. According to this embodiment, the first and second sets are allowed to flex differently from each other, although they will shift approximately the same distance when viewed along the dental arch. Allowing the first and second sets to flex differently allows the braces to self-adjust when traversing back and forth along the dental arch, even in cases where the upper and lower dental arches have different arch shapes and / or are misaligned relative to each other—which is typically the case—in cases where one or more teeth in one or both of the dental arches are misaligned, or in cases where other irregularities exist in the user's upper or lower dental arches.

[0283] C85-86: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, wherein a first group and a second group are allowed to bend in different ways, at least one slot segment of the first group is connected by a flexible connection to an adjacent slot segment of the second group when viewed in the vertical direction, the flexible connection being configured to allow the segments connected by the flexible connection to move relative to each other in a horizontal direction transverse to the dental arch. The flexible connection prevents the J-shaped or U-shaped legs of the first group from separating from the adjacent J-shaped or U-shaped legs of the second group, while also allowing these legs to move freely to conform to irregularities in the upper and / or lower dental arches. The flexible connection can be implemented, for example, by a correspondingly configured pen-slit connection. The pen can be, for example, a vertical pen attached to one of the vertically adjacent slot segments, while the slit is disposed in the other of the vertically adjacent slot segments and extends substantially transverse to the horizontal direction transverse to the dental arch. According to another embodiment of this embodiment, the slot segments connected by the connection are arranged in the rear portion of the braces in the neutral position.

[0284] C87-89: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, wherein the first and second sets are allowed to bend in different ways, and an attachment attaches the first set to the second set at the front end. This attachment can be established, for example, via a handle connection or via an additional attachment structure between the first and second sets. Attaching the first and second sets to each other at the front end of the dental brace facilitates the handle connection serving as a common master for the slave (groove segment). According to another embodiment of this, the attachment may be a flexible attachment configured to allow the first and second sets to rotate relative to each other about a vertical axis at the front end, and / or the attachment may be configured to prevent the first and second sets from translating relative to each other at the attachment. Allowing the first and second sets to rotate relative to each other introduces the ability to accommodate irregularities in the anterior arch segment of the dental arch. Preventing the first and second sets from translating relative to each other ensures that the force applied to the groove segment by the handle via the handle connector causes the first and second sets to traverse approximately the same distance along the lower and upper dental arches.

[0285] C90: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, each of the groove segments has a receiving groove defined along its length by a face wall portion on the face (or convex) side in the bending length direction and a tongue wall portion on the tongue (or concave) side in the bending length direction, and bristles protruding from the face wall portion and the tongue wall portion into the groove.

[0286] C91: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the facial wall portion and the tongue wall portion—for example, the cases in the applicant's WO-2018 / 199760 and WO-2020 / 017963—include pressure chambers, which are configured to allow the bristles of the facial wall portion and the tongue wall portion to move back and forth in the receiving groove by alternately pressurizing and depressurizing the pressure chambers.

[0287] C92: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the pressure chamber of the face wall portion and / or the pressure chamber of the tongue wall portion has been manufactured using the method according to the first aspect of the first invention. In this regard, at the level of a single groove segment, it is noted that according to another embodiment, the pressure chamber of the face wall portion of this groove segment and the pressure chamber of the tongue wall portion of this groove segment can be a single pressure chamber, or two pressure chambers that act as a single pressure chamber due to the fluid connection between them. However, still at the level of a single groove segment, it is also conceivable that, although optionally connected via a manifold or supply / discharge channel, the pressure chamber of the tongue wall portion of this groove segment is also separate from the pressure chamber of the face wall portion of this groove segment. At the level of all or some groove segments, it should be noted that, according to another embodiment, all or some pressure chambers of different receiving segments can be a single pressure chamber, or multiple pressure chambers that act as a single pressure chamber due to the fluid connection between the pressure chambers. However, still at the level of all or some groove segments, it is also conceivable that, although optionally connected via a manifold or supply / discharge channel, the pressure chambers of different groove segments are also separate from each other.

[0288] C93: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the plurality of slot sections of the group include at least two slot sections, such as three, four or five slot sections.

[0289] C94: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the flexible connector defines at least one vertical axis of rotation, such as two such axes, about which adjacent slot sections engaged by the respective connectors can rotate relative to each other. Therefore, the flexible connector may include or provide at least one hinge, such as two hinges. This can be achieved, for example, by means of a hinge at the location where the flexible connector is attached to the slot section.

[0290] C95: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, substantially all of the aforementioned flexible connectors—but not necessarily every single one—are located on the facial side (or convex side) of the curved length axis, for example, on the facial side (or convex side) of the groove segment. Thus, the facial side of the braces can be a side without recesses, where tissues in the user's mouth, particularly the lips or cheeks, may become stuck when such recesses shrink due to contact with the dental arch during the back-and-forth movement of the braces. The problem of smaller inner recesses is less significant because the user can manipulate his tongue to move it away from these recesses.

[0291] C96: Although preferably, most of the flexible connectors can be located on the face (or convex) side of the brace, according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, when viewed along the bending length direction, the flexible connector at one end of the groove section can be arranged on the face (or convex) side in the bending length direction, while the flexible connector at the end opposite to said one end is arranged on the tongue (or concave) side in the bending length direction. A groove section having a flexible connector at one end inside the brace and a flexible connector at the opposite end outside the brace helps prevent the tooth receiving section from rotating about the length axis defined by the bending length direction.

[0292] C97: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the sidewalls of the groove segment at the rear end of the brace are configured to be flexible relative to the remainder of the sidewalls of the groove segment when at the rear end of the brace, to allow the ends of these sidewalls to diffuse, thereby conforming to the widening of the mandible at the wisdom tooth. Deep in the oral cavity near the wisdom tooth, the tooth widens from its base, protruding from the maxilla and mandible, due to the widening of the bone and / or gingiva there. This can cause discomfort or may prevent the brace from traversing further along the dental arch. The sidewalls at the ends of the brace away from the central segment are configured to be more flexible than the remaining sidewalls of the brace, allowing the brace to more easily adapt to this widening, which reduces discomfort and allows the brace to traverse to the ends. For example, the rear ends of the sidewalls of the brace can be made of a soft material or a flexible, easily bendable material.

[0293] C98: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the brace is a U-shaped brace, wherein the handle is connected at the center of the curved portion of the U-shape of the brace.

[0294] C99: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the braces are braces according to the third aspect of the first invention.

[0295] C100: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the braces are braces manufactured using the method according to the first aspect of the second invention.

[0296] C101: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, the braces are braces according to the second aspect of the second invention.

[0297] C102-103: According to another embodiment of the first aspect of the third invention, each slot segment has a receiving slot configured to surround at least one or at least two teeth. According to another embodiment of this invention, the slot segment may have bristles protruding into the slot for brushing teeth.

[0298] C107: According to a second aspect of the third invention, the third invention relates to a system comprising:

[0299] - The dental brace according to the first aspect of the third invention, and

[0300] - A handle, which is configured for detachable removal from the handle connector.

[0301] C108-109: According to another embodiment of the second aspect of the third invention, the handle includes a driver configured to drive the bristles in the groove of the groove section to move back and forth. According to another embodiment of this second aspect, the driver may include a pump and may be configured to alternately pressurize and depressurize one or more pressure chambers. Attached Figure Description

[0302] The invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

[0303] Figure 1 schematically shows the dental arch. Figure 1A The teeth of the lower and upper dental arches are shown in a head-up view. Figure 1B This illustrates a system with a dental arch and three orthogonal axes defining the dental arch.

[0304] Figure 2 Examples of U-shaped dental braces manufactured according to the first, second, and third inventions and using the method according to the first or second invention are shown in perspective.

[0305] Figure 3 Examples of J-shaped braces manufactured according to the first, second, and third inventions and using the method according to the first or second invention are shown in perspective.

[0306] Figure 4 shows Figure 2 and 3 IV. The cross-section of the braces. Figure 4A A cross-section with a decompression chamber is shown, and Figure 4B A cross-section with a pressurized pressure chamber is shown.

[0307] Figure 5 shows Figure 2 and3 The cross-section V of the braces. Figure 5A A cross-section with a decompression chamber is shown, and Figure 5B A cross-section with a pressurized pressure chamber is shown.

[0308] Figure 6 The system according to the first invention, the second invention and the third invention is shown schematically in perspective view.

[0309] Figure 7 illustrates a first embodiment of the method according to the first invention. Figure 7A A cross-section of an injection mold with an insert that can be overmolded is shown. Figure 7B The obtained pressure chamber is shown in cross-section, and Figure 7C A top view of the same pressure chamber is shown.

[0310] Figure 8 shows a variant of the pressure chamber obtained using the method in Figure 7. Figure 8A The pressure chamber obtained under depressurization is shown in cross-section. Figure 8B The pressure chamber obtained under pressurized conditions is shown in cross-section. Figure 8C Shown in top view Figure 8A and 8B The pressure chamber.

[0311] Figure 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the method according to the first invention. Figure 9A The cross-section of the frame section is shown. Figure 9B A cross-section of the frame portion with the intermediate layer is shown. Figure 9C A cross-section of an injection mold with an insert that can be overmolded is shown. Figure 9D The pressure chamber obtained under depressurization is shown in cross-section. Figure 9E The pressure chamber obtained under pressurized conditions is shown in cross-section. And... Figure 9F A top view of the same pressure chamber is shown.

[0312] Figure 10 illustrates a third embodiment of the method according to the first invention. Figure 10A The cross-section of the frame section is shown. Figure 10B A cross-section of the frame portion with the intermediate layer is shown. Figure 10C A cross-section of an injection mold with an insert that can be overmolded is shown. Figure 10D The pressure chamber obtained under depressurization is shown in cross-section. Figure 10E The pressure chamber obtained under pressurized conditions is shown in cross-section.

[0313] Figure 11 illustrates a third embodiment of the method according to the first invention. Figure 11A The cross-section of the frame section is shown. Figure 11B A cross-section of the frame portion with the intermediate layer is shown. Figure 11CA cross-section of an injection mold with an insert that can be overmolded is shown. Figure 11D The pressure chamber obtained under depressurization is shown in cross-section. Figure 11E The pressure chamber obtained under pressurized conditions is shown in cross-section.

[0314] Figure 12 A variant of the pressure chamber obtained according to Figure 11 is shown in cross-section.

[0315] Figure 13 Another variant of the pressure chamber obtained according to Figure 11 is shown in cross-section.

[0316] Figure 14 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the method according to the first invention. Figure 14A A cross-section of an injection mold with an insert that can be overmolded is shown. Figure 14B The pressure chamber obtained under depressurization is shown in cross-section. Figure 14C The pressure chamber obtained under pressurized conditions is shown in cross-section.

[0317] Figure 15 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the method according to the first invention. Figure 15A A cross-section of an injection mold with an insert that can be overmolded is shown. Figure 15B The pressure chamber obtained under depressurization is shown in cross-section. Figure 15C The pressure chamber obtained under pressurized conditions is shown in cross-section.

[0318] Figure 16 Another variant of the pressure chamber obtained according to the first invention is shown in cross-section.

[0319] Figure 17 Another variant of the pressure chamber obtained according to the first invention is shown in cross-section.

[0320] Figure 18 Another variation of the pressure chamber obtained according to the first invention is shown in cross-section.

[0321] Figure 19 schematically illustrates an example of a method for manufacturing dental braces according to the first invention. Figure 19A This indicates the first step. Figure 19B This indicates the second step. Figure 19C The braces obtained under decompression conditions are shown, and Figure 19D The brace is shown under pressure.

[0322] Figure 20 schematically illustrates another example of a method for manufacturing dental braces according to the first invention. Figure 20A This indicates the first step. Figure 20B This indicates the second step, and Figure 20C The braces are shown in a decompression state.

[0323] Figure 21 schematically illustrates another example of a method for manufacturing dental braces according to the first invention. Figure 21A This indicates the first step. Figure 21B This indicates the second step, and Figure 21C The braces are shown in a decompression state.

[0324] Figure 22 An example of a dental brace according to the first invention, having an intermediate layer mechanically attached to a frame portion, is shown in cross-section.

[0325] Figure 23 shows another example of a brace according to the first invention in cross-section, wherein Figure 23A The braces are shown in a decompression state, and Figure 23B The braces are shown under pressure.

[0326] Figure 24 shows another example of a brace according to the first invention in cross-section, wherein Figure 24A The braces are shown in a decompression state, and Figure 24B The braces are shown under pressure.

[0327] Figure 25 shows another example of a brace according to the first invention in cross-section, wherein Figure 25A The braces are shown in a decompression state, and Figure 25B The braces are shown under pressure.

[0328] Figure 26 shows another example of a brace according to the first invention in cross-section, wherein Figure 26A The braces are shown in a decompression state, and Figure 26B The braces are shown in a pressurized state.

[0329] Figure 27 A horizontal top view of the braces according to the first invention is shown.

[0330] Figure 28 illustrates the steps provided in the framework portion of the second invention. Figure 28A The frame portion is shown in a top view and Figure 28B The frame portion is shown in perspective.

[0331] Figure 29 illustrates the folding steps of the second invention. Figure 29A Showing a top view, Figure 29B A perspective view is shown, and Figure 29C A side view is shown.

[0332] Figure 30 illustrates the bending steps of the second invention. Figure 30A Showing a top view and Figure 28B A perspective view is shown.

[0333] Figure 31 The steps of combining the upper and lower braces portions of the second invention are shown.

[0334] Figure 32 An exploded view of a flexible wall with bristles is shown schematically in perspective.

[0335] Figure 33 schematically shown in cross-section Figure 32 Details.

[0336] Figure 34 illustrates the manufacturing steps of the pressure chamber of the second invention. Figure 34A The diagram shows the provision of frame and wall sections. Figure 34B The frame and wall sections are shown attached to each other. Figure 34C The folding steps are shown. Figure 34D The bending steps are shown. Figure 34E The steps for assembling the upper and lower braces are shown.

[0337] Figure 35 schematically shown in cross-section Figure 34B Details.

[0338] Figure 36 A second embodiment of a dental brace that can be obtained according to the method of the second invention is shown schematically in perspective view.

[0339] Figure 37 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of a brace obtainable according to the method of the second invention in a perspective view. Figure 37A Showing a top view, and Figure 37B A perspective view is shown.

[0340] Figure 38 schematically illustrates, in perspective view, a fourth embodiment of a brace obtainable according to the method of the second invention. Figure 38A The plate-shaped frame portion is shown in its thin-layer state. Figure 38B A top view of the braces is shown, and Figure 38C A perspective view of the braces is shown.

[0341] Figure 39 schematically shows the basis of the braces according to the third invention. Figure 39A The braces are shown in a neutral position. Figure 39B The braces are shown in the first extreme position. Figure 39C Showing braces (again) in a neutral position, and Figure 39D The braces are shown in the second extreme position.

[0342] Figure 40 schematically illustrates a first example of a brace according to the third invention. Figure 40A It is a perspective view, and Figure 40B It is a top view that coincides with the tooth arch in a neutral position.

[0343] Figure 41 A second example of a brace according to the third invention is shown schematically in top view.

[0344] Figure 42 A third example of a brace according to the third invention is shown schematically in top view.

[0345] Figure 43 A fourth example of the braces according to the third invention is shown schematically in top view.

[0346] Figure 44 shows braces that are too easily bent ( Figure 44A Braces that are too hard Figure 44B (and illustrations of the braces according to the third invention.)

[0347] Figure 45 schematically illustrates a brace according to the third invention, which allows the upper frame portion to bend differently from the lower frame portion. Figure 45A Indicates a neutral position, and Figure 45B Figure 45 schematically illustrates the different offset positions of the upper and lower braces portions. Figure 47A and Figure 47B A perspective view of the characteristic braces.

[0348] Figure 46 The flexible attachment of the upper and lower braces is shown schematically from a top view.

[0349] Figure 47 schematically shows that the rear end of the sidewall of the groove section of the dental brace according to the present invention is flexible. Figure 47A The diagram illustrates the origin of the problem and its solution. Figure 47B An example of the rear end of the last slot section is shown in detail.

[0350] Figure 48 schematically illustrates the problems associated with torsional flexibility. Figure 48A Showing a neutral position and Figure 48B The deformation state is shown.

[0351] Figure 49 schematically illustrates the experimental setup. Figure 49A It uses a small braces setup. Figure 49B It uses a medium-sized braces setting, and Figure 49C It uses braces.

[0352] Figure 50 schematically illustrates details of another embodiment of the braces according to the third invention. Figure 50A This shows a perspective view of the rear end of the slot system in its first state. Figure 50B This shows a perspective view of the rear end of the slot system in its second state. Figure 50C Show Figure 50A A schematic side view relative to the dental arch, and Figure 50D Show Figure 50B A schematic side view relative to the dental arch.

[0353] Figure 51 schematically shows another illustration of the plate-shaped frame portion in a thin-layer state, which is more detailed than that shown in Figure 28. Figure 51A It is similar to Figure 28B The perspective view, and Figure 51B yes Figure 51A The cross section LI-LI is indicated by arrows and dashed lines. Detailed Implementation

[0354] Figure 1A The upper dental arch 1 and lower dental arch 2 are schematically shown at eye level. Each dental arch typically has 16 dental positions, which contain teeth named according to a nomenclature known to each dentist. Using this nomenclature, Figure 1A It is shown that:

[0355] - The upper right third molar 3U and the lower right third molar 3L are also known as wisdom teeth;

[0356] -Right upper second molar 4U and right lower second molar 4L;

[0357] - Upper right first molar 5U and lower right first molar 5L;

[0358] -Right upper second premolar 6U and right lower second premolar 6L;

[0359] -Right upper first premolar 7U and right lower first premolar 7L;

[0360] - Upper right canine tooth 8U and lower right canine tooth 8L;

[0361] -Right upper incisor 9U and right lower incisor 9L;

[0362] -Right upper central incisor 10U and right lower central incisor 10L;

[0363] -Left upper central incisor 11U and left lower central incisor 11L;

[0364] -Left upper lateral incisor 12U and left lower lateral incisor 12L;

[0365] - Upper left canine 13U and lower left canine 13L3

[0366] -Left upper first premolar 14U and left lower first premolar 14L3

[0367] -Left upper second premolar 15U and left lower second premolar 15Lc

[0368] - Upper left first molar 16U and lower left first molar 16L3

[0369] -Left upper second molar 17U and left lower second molar 17L3 and

[0370] - The upper left third molar 18U and the lower left third molar 18L are also known as wisdom teeth.

[0371] Furthermore, according to commonly used nomenclature, canines 8U, 8L, 13U, 13L, lateral incisors 9U, 9L, 12U, 12L, and central incisors 10U, 10L, 11U, 11L are referred to as anterior teeth. Figure 1A The molars 3U, 3L, 4U, 4L, 5U, 5L, 16U, 16L, 17U, 17L, 18U, 18L and the premolars 6U, 6L, 7U, 7L, 14U, 14L, 15U, 15L are referred to as posterior teeth. Figure 1A It is shown in white.

[0372] Figure 1B A portion of the maxillary arch 1 with dental positions 4-16 is shown schematically at perspective height. Each dental position is indicated by a vertical dashed line. Each dental position typically includes the associated tooth named according to the nomenclature listed above. For example, dental position 7 is the dental position of the right maxillary first premolar 7U. Figure 1B The dental position of the upper left second molar is not shown, nor is the dental position of the wisdom teeth, namely the upper right and upper left third molars.

[0373] Reference numeral 19 indicates the lingual side of the dental arch in a dental position. The lingual side 19 is the inner side of the dental arch in a dental position, facing the tongue. Reference numeral 20 indicates the facial side of the dental arch in a dental position. The facial side 20 is the outer side of the dental arch in a dental position, facing the face, such as the cheek and lips.

[0374] Figure 1B A system of three mutually orthogonal axes is also shown, comprising an x-axis (X), a y-axis (Y), and a z-axis (Z). The z-axis (Z) is a curved axis that follows the contours of tooth arches 1 and 2. The x-axis (X) and y-axis (Y) are perpendicular to each other and define a substantially flat xy-plane perpendicular to tooth arches 1 and 2, i.e., each xy-plane intersecting a position on the z-axis is perpendicular to the curved z-axis (Z) at said position. The z-axis (Z) defines the direction of the curved length. The z-axis (Z) and y-axis (Y) define a curved zy-plane, wherein, when viewed along the z-axis, the arc resembles the shape of a tooth arch. Furthermore, the z-axis (Z) and x-axis (X) define a zx-plane, and the x-axis (X) and y-axis (Y) define an xy-plane.

[0375] Referring to the terms 'J-shaped or U-shaped length direction' and 'U-shaped cross section' as used in this document, 'J-shaped or U-shaped length direction' is related to... Figure 1B The z-axis Z of the U-shape is associated with it, and the 'U-shaped cross-section' is related to... Figure 1B It is associated with the xy plane.

[0376] Figure 2An example of a U-shaped dental brace 30 manufactured according to the first, second, and third inventions and using the method according to the first or second invention is shown schematically in perspective view.

[0377] Figure 2 The braces 30 have an upper portion 40 for caring for the upper dental arch and a lower portion 50 for caring for the lower dental arch. The upper portion 40 has a groove system 42, i.e., an upper groove system, which in Figure 2 The upper groove system 42, with its U-shaped curved length axis 41, is configured to simultaneously cover multiple dental positions (or teeth) of the upper dental arch 1. The lower portion 50 has a groove system 52, i.e., a lower groove system, which in Figure 2 The lower groove system 52, represented by its U-shaped curved length axis 51, is configured to simultaneously cover multiple dental positions (or teeth) of the lower dental arch 2. The lower and upper groove systems can each form a continuous groove (not shown). However, each groove system may also include multiple groove segments aligned along the curved length axis of the groove system to provide a discontinuous groove system. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the upper slot system 42 includes three slot sections 43, 45, and 47 aligned along the bending length axis 41 and connected by connectors 44 and 46 to provide a discontinuous slot system 42. Although not all slot sections and connectors are... Figure 2 As can be seen, but also applicable to Figure 2 The lower groove system 52 in the embodiment. The lower groove system 52 includes three groove segments 53, 57 aligned along the bending length axis 51 and connected by connectors 56 to provide a discontinuous groove system 52.

[0378] As schematically indicated by double arrows 32, 33, and 34, the brace 30 has a front portion 32 that overlaps with or lies along (all) the user's anterior teeth during use, and two rear portions 33 and 34 that overlap with or lie along at least a portion of the posterior teeth during use. The brace 30 has a front end indicated by arrow 35 and two rear ends indicated by arrows 36 and 37. The rear ends 36 and 37 are the deepest ends in the mouth during use, that is, the outer ends of the U-shape. The front end is the end located at the incisors on the anterior side of the mouth during use, that is, the end located outside the U-shape, at the middle of the U-shape that divides the brace into the right and left halves on an imaginary horizontal line. As will be further explained below with respect to the third invention, taking into account... Figure 2 During use, the braces will move back and forth along the user's dental arch to the right and left. It should be noted that the aforementioned front portion 32, rear portions 33, 34, and front end 35 are confined to a neutral or intermediate position. Figure 2The braces are shown in their neutral position. In the neutral position, when inserted into the mouth, the braces are positioned relative to the central axis 21 of the dental arch (see [reference]). Figure 1A Centered. When braces 30 have moved to the right side along the dental arch— Figure 2 When the arrow R in the diagram is offset, the front portion 32 and the rear portions 33 and 34 will move relative to the dental arch, thus:

[0379] -The left posterior portion 33 overlaps not only with at least a portion of the left posterior teeth, but also with at least some of the left anterior teeth.

[0380] -The front portion 32 no longer overlaps only with (all) the front teeth, but also with some of the right rear teeth.

[0381] -The right rear portion 34 still only overlaps with the right rear tooth, and

[0382] - The front end 35 will no longer be located on the central axis 21 of the dental arch — see Figure 1A —On top, but rather on the upper right side of the central axis 20 of the dental arch (or on the upper left side if the braces have been moved to the left).

[0383] Also refer to Figure 2 The dental brace 30 includes a handle connector 31 configured to attach a handle to the user, allowing the user to manipulate the dental brace 30. This handle connector 31 is located at the front end 35 of the dental brace. Therefore, in the neutral position, the handle connector will be positioned in front of the central incisors on the central axis of the dental arch, while in the offset position, depending on the amount of displacement, it may be positioned in front of the right or left incisors, or in front of the right or left canines, or in front of the right or left first premolars, or possibly in front of the right or left second premolars, or any position in between.

[0384] Each tank section is equipped with a scrubbing element. To maintain... Figure 2 Clearly, only a few brushing elements 38 are shown very schematically in the slot sections 47 and 57. According to the first, second, and third inventions, these brushing elements can be of any kind suitable for brushing teeth. Figure 2 As shown, these brushing elements are bristles arranged in clusters. However, other brushing elements, such as ribs or embossed surface structures, are also highly conceivable within the scope of the first, second, and third inventions as defined in claims.

[0385] Figure 2A so-called U-shaped full brace 30 is shown. Within the scope of the first, second, and third inventions as defined in claims, the brace may also be a so-called U-shaped half brace (not shown). In a U-shaped half brace, the upper portion 40 (or lower portion 50) of the brace 30 is missing, and the remaining portion can be used for subsequent care of the upper and lower dental arches by removing the brace from the mouth after caring for one dental arch, rotating the brace about a horizontal axis, and reinserting it into the mouth to care for another dental arch.

[0386] Figure 3 A J-shaped dental brace 30″ manufactured according to the first, second, and third inventions and using the method according to the first or second invention is shown. This J-shaped dental brace 30″ is similar to... Figure 2 The U-shaped braces 30 are basically the same, the difference is that Figure 3 J-shaped braces do not exist Figure 2 The connectors 46 and 56, and the slot sections 47 and 57. Figure 3 The 30″ J-shaped brace is also shown in a neutral (or intermediate) position. Because... Figure 3 J-shaped braces 30″ except for the remaining part Figure 2 The braces are essentially the same as those in the 30 series, therefore the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar parts, and reference is made to the relevant parts. Figure 2 The content already described.

[0387] Figure 3 The so-called J-shaped full braces 30 are shown.

[0388] Figures 4 and 5 each show ( Figure 2 Braces 30 and ( Figure 3 (The) braces 30″ both in Figure 3 The cross-sections are shown with respect to the locations indicated by arrow IV in Figure 4 and arrow V in Figure 5.

[0389] exist Figure 4A and 5A In the image, the braces are shown as being in a state of reduced pressure, a state that is also... Figure 2 and 3 As shown in, and in Figure 4B and 5B In the image, the braces are shown as being under increased pressure.

[0390] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the brace has a frame portion 61 and a wall portion 62 provided with bristles 38, such as tufts. The frame portion 61 and the wall portion 62 form a pressure chamber, having a pressure cavity 60 between the frame portion 61 and the wall portion 62. A pressure medium can be supplied to and discharged from the pressure cavity 60 formed between the frame portion 61 and the wall portion 62. Figure 4A and 5AIn this embodiment, the pressure chamber 60 (and therefore the pressure cavity) is in a depressurized state. In this depressurized state, the pressure chamber has no volume in the sense that the wall portion 62 rests loosely against the frame portion 61 in a layered manner. As the pressure chamber 60 alternately pressurizes and depressurizes, the wall portion 62 deforms (alternatingly) along with the bristles, causing the bristles to move and clean the teeth. Figure 4B and Figure 5B The pressure chamber 60 is shown in a pressurized state.

[0391] although Figure 4A and 5A The pressure chamber shown is in a completely empty state in which the pressure cavity has a volume of approximately zero. However, it should be noted that in the depressurized state, there may be a certain distance between the frame portion 61 and the wall portion 62. Therefore, in the depressurized state, the pressure chamber also exists as a cavity with a certain volume greater than zero.

[0392] Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "pressurization" and "depressurization" are used only in relation to each other to indicate the presence of a state in which pressure chamber 60 is at a higher pressure—the pressurization state—and a state in which pressure chamber is at a lower pressure—the depressurization state. For example, it can be envisioned that in the depressurization state, the pressure in the pressure chamber may have a pressure lower than ambient pressure, but it may also—in the depressurization state—have a pressure higher than ambient pressure. In the pressurization state, the pressure will be higher than in the depressurization state. In practice, the operating pressure in the pressure chamber will be less than 2 bar, for example, it may alternate between +0.1 bar and +0.25 or +0.5 bar relative to ambient pressure, or between -0.2 bar and +0.25 bar relative to ambient pressure.

[0393] refer to Figure 5A and 5B As can be seen, pressurized medium is supplied and discharged via channel 63 in the handle connector 31—see double arrow F. This channel 63 communicates with a dispensing channel 64, which has a passage 65 connecting the dispensing channel 65 to one or more pressure chambers. It should be further noted that the pressure chambers on the facial side of the braces and the pressure chambers on the lingual side of the braces may be in direct fluid communication with each other (not shown) or indirect fluid communication with each other via the dispensing channel 64 (not shown).

[0394] As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the wall portion 62 is flexible to allow deformation, and the frame portion 61 is rigid relative to the wall portion. When pressure is applied to the pressure chamber 60, the frame portion can be dimensionally stable (to withstand deformation) (e.g., for example...). Figure 4B and 5B (as shown on the right) or can be deformed (e.g., for example) Figure 4B and 5B (As shown on the left).

[0395] Figure 6 A perspective view schematically illustrating examples of a system 70 according to the first, second, and third inventions is shown. This system 70 includes a dental brace 30 and a handle 71, the dental brace 30 being connected by its handle coupling (in... Figure 6 (Not visible in the center) A coupling end 75 is attached to the handle 71. Inside the handle, a rechargeable battery 73 and an actuator 74, such as a pump, are provided for pressurizing and depressurizing the pressure chamber of the braces. Additionally, the handle includes an on / off button 72.

[0396] Turning now to Figures 7 through 27, a method for manufacturing a pressure chamber according to the first invention will be illustrated. However, it should be noted that this method may be part of, for example, a step of, a method for manufacturing a dental brace according to the second invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that one or more pressure chambers manufactured using the method according to the first invention may be part of a dental brace according to the third invention.

[0397] In Figure 7-27, reference numeral A indicates the frame portion of the brace in Figure 1-6, reference numeral C indicates the wall portion of the brace in Figure 1-6, and reference numeral 60 indicates the pressure chamber of the pressure chamber, similar to that in Figure 1-6. Additionally, reference numeral 80 indicates an injection mold having a first half-mold 81 and a second half-mold 82. Reference numerals 83 and 85 indicate mold cavities, and reference numeral 84 indicates an attachment ring along which frame portion A and wall portion C are attached to each other to form a pressure chamber 90 having a pressure cavity 60, which is surrounded by a portion of frame portion A surrounded by the attachment ring, a portion of wall portion C surrounded by the attachment ring, and the attachment ring itself.

[0398] refer to Figure 7A The prefabricated frame portion A and the prefabricated wall portion C are placed as inserts into the injection mold 80. The inserts (composed of the wall portion C and the frame portion A) and mold halves 81 and 82 define a mold cavity 83 that surrounds the wall portion C and the frame portion A along their circumferential edges. Figure 7A In the illustrated embodiment, the mold cavity 83 has a C-shaped cross-section. However, it should be noted that this C-shaped cross-section is merely an example for illustrative purposes, and the invention is not limited to mold cavities with a C-shaped cross-section. For example, the cross-section may also be rectangular or semi-circular, with a height and diameter equal to the thicknesses of the frame portion A and the wall portion C, respectively, or may have any other suitable shape.

[0399] After preparing the injection mold 80 by inserting the prefabricated frame portion A and the prefabricated wall portion C and closing the mold, a first overmolding material is injected into the injection mold to fill the mold cavity 83. Thus, the wall portion C and the frame portion A are attached to each other along an attachment ring 84 established by the first overmolding material. In this embodiment, the first overmolding material provides a ring B1 around the frame portion A and the wall portion C, see [link to documentation]. Figure 7B and 7C It is shown in cross-section and top view respectively, according to Figure 7B The pressure chamber 90 manufactured by arrow VII-C in B. The first overlay molding material forming ring B1 may fuse with frame portion A and / or wall portion C due to its heat during injection molding, but it is also conceivable that ring B1, once cured, is to be sealed to wall portion C and frame portion A, for example, as an adhered clamping ring.

[0400] like Figure 7A and 7B The wall portion C shown further illustrates that the wall portion C can be contoured. Along the circumference, the wall portion C is provided with a contour 209—in this example, a C-shaped contour—which is configured to unfold when the pressure chamber 60 is pressurized. When unfolded, the pressure chamber 90 can, for example, unfold to the unfolded state schematically shown by dashed line 208. According to another embodiment, the contour 209, or the contoured flexible wall C, can be configured to fold when the pressure chamber 60 is depressurized (i.e., pressure drop). This folding can return to a state such as… Figure 7B The state shown by the solid line in the image, or returning to the state shown by the solid line in the image. Figure 7B The state shown by the solid line in the middle is the same as that in the middle. Figure 7B The dashed lines in Figure 7 indicate a certain condition between states. In the example of Figure 7, the wall portion C is a prefabricated wall portion. This prefabricated contoured wall portion C can be prepared, for example, by injection molding the wall portion into the shape shown in Figure 7 or some other predetermined shape. According to another example, the prefabricated contoured wall portion can be prepared by thermoforming a sheet into the shape shown in Figure 7 or into some other predetermined shape.

[0401] Figure 8 shows a variant of the pressure chamber manufactured according to the example of Figure 7, namely pressure chamber 90, in which the prefabricated frame portion A and the prefabricated wall C have been arranged as inserts in a layered manner along each other into the injection mold (not shown), thereby producing a pressure chamber with a layered structure that initially has frame portions and wall portions C parallel to each other. Figure 8A The pressure chamber 90 is shown after it has been removed from the injection mold. Figure 8BThe same pressure chamber 90 is shown where a pressure medium is introduced between the wall portion and the frame portion. If the prefabricated wall portion and the prefabricated frame portion A may tend to adhere to each other under the influence of heat from, for example, the injection mold, introducing a pressure medium into the area between the frame portion A and the wall portion C will prevent the frame portion A and the wall portion C from permanently adhering to each other in the area surrounding the attachment ring 84.

[0402] Referring to Figure 8, it should be noted that after the pressure chamber has been manufactured, the wall portion C may, for example, have the same profile as shown in Figure 7. This can be accomplished, for example, by thermoforming. Once sufficiently heated, a mold with the desired (mirror) shape—for example, around... Figure 7A The upper mold half 81 of the mold is positioned on the outer surface 206 of the wall portion and can be 'sucked', that is, the wall portion is 'sucked' into the desired predefined profile.

[0403] Figure 9 illustrates another embodiment of the method according to the first invention. In the embodiment of Figure 9, a frame portion A is provided, for example, as a prefabricated portion, see [reference needed]. Figure 9A .exist Figure 9B In the example of Figure 9, frame portion B is combined with intermediate member B to obtain composite portion 88. In the example of Figure 9, intermediate member B is an intermediate layer. Intermediate member B can also be a prefabricated portion. If both frame portion A and intermediate layer B are prefabricated portions, when composite portion 88 is placed as an insert into the injection mold, they can be permanently or temporarily adhered to each other to maintain their relative positions by any suitable adhesive, see [reference]. Figure 9C However, it should be noted that frame portion A can be a prefabricated portion, while intermediate layer B is overmolded onto the prefabricated frame portion in an injection mold (not shown), or alternatively, intermediate layer B can be a prefabricated portion that is overmolded onto frame portion A in an injection mold (not shown).

[0404] Once the assembled portion 88 is obtained, it is placed into the injection mold 80 as an insert, see [reference]. Figure 9C Once the injection mold is closed, the injection mold 80 and the inserted assembly 88 define the cavity 85. In the overmolding step, a first overmolding material is injected into the injection mold to fill the cavity 85. In this embodiment, the first overmolding material provides the wall portion C, thereby creating… Figure 9D-9F The pressure chamber 90 shown is illustrated. Figure 9D This shows the pressure chamber after removal from injection mold 80. Pressure chamber 90 is in... Figure 9D The pressure has not yet been increased.

[0405] It should be noted that, as Figure 9A-9C Variations of the content shown can also be conceived in Figure 9A It begins with the wall portion C and combines—similar to…Figure 9B And about Figure 9B The wall portion C and the intermediate portion / layer B, as described above, are combined and placed as inserts into an injection mold, and the frame portion A is provided by injecting a first covering molding material—in this case, the material forming the frame portion A—into the injection mold 80.

[0406] In the embodiment of Figure 9, when one of the frame portion A and the wall portion C is overmolded onto the other, they are made of materials that adhere to each other, and an attachment ring 84 is obtained along the circumference of the pressure chamber where the frame portion A and the wall portion C contact each other. The frame portion A and the wall portion C can be fused together along the attachment ring 84. An intermediate layer B is placed between the frame portion A and the wall portion C to prevent the wall portion C and the frame portion A from adhering to or fusing with each other.

[0407] After pressure chamber 90 has been removed from the injection mold—as Figure 9D As shown in the diagram, a pressure medium can be introduced into the defined area between the wall portion C, the frame portion A, and the attachment ring 84.

[0408] In the case where the intermediate layer B is adhered to or fused to both the wall portion and the frame portion, the intermediate layer B can be a laminate having a weakened plane parallel to the extension of the laminate to provide a separation layer, thereby allowing the wall portion C and the frame portion A to separate relative to each other when a pressurized medium is introduced.

[0409] However, in another embodiment, the intermediate layer B may also have an attachment to Figure 9A The intermediate layer provides a first outer surface or outer layer, which is either fused to or bonded to the first overlay molding material, and a second outer surface or outer layer configured to resist bonding or fusion with the first overlay molding material, such that the intermediate layer allows separation between the frame portion and the wall portion when a pressurized medium is introduced. For example, the intermediate layer B may comprise or be made of PA or PE, the frame portion A may comprise or be made of PP, and the wall portion C may comprise or be made of TPE.

[0410] According to another embodiment, the intermediate layer B has a portion facing away from the frame portion A (or wall portion C, if wall portion A is already present). Figure 9A The exposed surface 91 provided in the step is configured to resist contact with the substrate by overmolding. Figure 9C The first overlay molding material injected into the injection mold fuses to provide the wall portion C (or frame portion A, if the wall portion C has already been...) Figure 9A (Provided in the steps). In this embodiment, the opposite surface 92 of the intermediate layer B, i.e., facing the frame portion A (or wall portion C, if wall portion A is already present), Figure 9A The relative surfaces (provided in the steps) can be configured due to the fact that in Figure 9CThe heat from the first coating molding material injected into the injection mold interacts with the frame portion A (or wall portion C, if wall portion A has already been injected into the mold). Figure 9A (Provided in the steps) fusion. For example, the intermediate layer B may include or may be made of PA, the wall portion C may include or may be made of TPE such as SEBS, and the frame portion A may be made of TPE-PA or may include TPE-PA.

[0411] According to yet another embodiment, the intermediate layer B has a separation from the frame portion A (or wall portion C, if wall portion A is already present). Figure 9A The exposed surface 91 provided in the step is configured to be overmolded with and Figure 9C The first overlay molding material injected into the injection mold fuses to provide the wall portion C (or frame portion A, if the wall portion C has already been...) Figure 9A (Provided in the steps). In this embodiment, the opposite surface 92 of the intermediate layer B, i.e., facing the frame portion A (or wall portion C, if wall portion A is already present), Figure 9A The relative surface 92 (provided in the steps) can be configured to be injected into Figure 9C The heat of the first covering molding material in the injection mold resists the heat from the frame portion A (or wall portion C, if wall portion A is already in place). Figure 9A (Provided in the steps) fusion. For example, the intermediate layer B may include or may be made of PA, the wall portion C may include or may be made of TPE such as SEBS, and the frame portion A may be made of PP or may include PP.

[0412] Figure 10A to 10E Corresponding to Figure 9A to 9E The difference is that, in Figure 10, the intermediate layer B is mechanically attached to the frame portion A (or wall portion C, if wall portion C is already in place). Figure 10A (The steps are provided in the text). Apart from this difference, the description of Figure 9 above applies in detail to Figure 10. The mechanical attachment includes one or more male members 86 integral with the intermediate layer B and a corresponding number of female members formed in the frame portion A, or vice versa—not shown—one or more male members integral with the frame portion A and a corresponding number of female members formed in the intermediate layer B. The mechanical attachment can be mechanically established by inserting the male members into the female members, or by overmolding the frame portion A onto the intermediate layer B, or vice versa, by overmolding the intermediate layer B onto the frame portion A.

[0413] Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment of the method according to the first invention, wherein the frame portion A and the wall portion C are made of a material that resists fusion with each other when overmolded onto each other, or wherein the frame portion A and the wall portion C are configured to resist fusion with each other when overmolded onto each other. Figure 11A to 11Eand Figure 9A-9E and Figure 10A to 10E Very similar. On the one hand, Figure 11A-11E and Figure 9A-9E The difference between 10A and 10E is essentially that the frame portion A and the wall portion C are made of a material that resists fusion with each other when overmolded onto each other, and the beaded ring B2 is used to create the pressure chamber. Apart from these differences, the descriptions above regarding Figures 9 and 10 apply in detail to Figure 11.

[0414] In this embodiment of Figure 11, the intermediate member is a beaded ring B2, which is configured to be... Figure 11C The indicated overmolding step involves fusion with the first overmolding material to form the wall portion C (or frame portion A, if in...). Figure 11A The part provided in the steps can be the wall portion C). Figure 11B In the indicated steps, bead ring B is placed against frame portion A or wall portion C (if in Figure 11A (This section may be provided in the original text). Reference Figure 11C A first overlay molding material (for forming the wall portion C) is injected into the injection mold 80 to fill the mold cavity 85. While filling the mold cavity 85, the first overlay molding material is molded onto the bead ring and onto the exposed surface area 93 of the frame portion A. Figure 11D As can be seen, this creates a layered structure in which frame portion A and wall portion C rest against each other (and are not bonded together because they resist fusion), and further creates a layered structure through... Figure 11C During the overmolding step, the first overmolding material (forming the wall portion C) is fused with the bead ring B2 to form the attachment ring 84.

[0415] According to another embodiment of Figure 11, in Figure 11B In the current state, when the bead ring B2 is placed as an insert into the injection mold 80, the bead ring may not yet be sealed to the frame portion A. In this case, the bead ring can be configured to fuse with the frame portion A due to the heat of the first overmolding material injected into the mold cavity 85. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the bead ring B2 is provided by overmolding and fuses with the frame portion in a previous second overmolding step when overmolded onto the frame portion (or conversely, the bead ring B2 fuses with the frame portion A when the frame portion A is overmolded onto the bead ring B2).

[0416] Figure 12 and 13 Two variations of the pressure chamber 90 obtained using the method of Figure 11 are shown. More specifically with respect to Figure 11... Figure 11D The difference between the two cases of pressure chambers lies in that... Figure 12 and 13In this case, the beaded ring B2 is positioned on the surface of frame portion A rather than surrounding it. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the resulting wall portion C may have a completely flat surface 94 or may have a recessed portion 95.

[0417] Figures 14-18 illustrate an example of a further elaboration shown in Figures 7-13, wherein the bristles are integrated into a method of manufacturing a pressure chamber 90 according to the first invention. For the same or similar portions, Figures 14-18 use the same reference numerals as in the previous figures.

[0418] Figure 14 schematically illustrates a first example of integrating bristles 38 in a method for manufacturing a pressure chamber 90 according to the first invention. The upper half 81 of the injection mold 80 is provided with holes 120 into which pre-fabricated bristle clusters 38 are inserted. The bristles are mounted on a common root section 100, which may be a foil to which the bristle clusters 38 are attached. The root section 100 having the bristle clusters 38 forms a unit, which is placed in the injection mold 80 as an insert. The remaining methods illustrated in Figure 14 are substantially the same as those shown in Figure 9. Figure 14A and Figure 9C Similar to what is shown, Figure 14B and Figure 9D Similar to what is shown, and Figure 14C and Figure 9E Similar to that shown. When the first overmolding material forming the wall portion C is injected into the injection mold 80 to fill the mold cavity 85, the root segment 100 will attach to the wall portion C to be formed. This attachment of the root segment 100 to the wall portion C can be attributed, for example, to the fusion of the root segment 100 and the wall portion C. However, the attachment may also be due to the root segment 100 being embedded in the wall portion C. Once the pressure chamber has sufficiently cured, it is removed from the injection mold 80, thereby producing a result as shown. Figure 14B The pressure chamber 90 is shown. In the next step, a pressurizing medium can be introduced into the pressure chamber 60 to separate the wall portion C and the frame portion A from each other, see [reference needed]. Figure 14C As discussed with respect to Figure 9, the intermediate layer can be configured in several ways to facilitate this separation of the frame portion A and the wall portion C.

[0419] Figure 15 shows a variant of Figure 14, which is actually the bristleless variant already discussed with respect to Figure 9. In Figure 15, Figure 15A Similar to Figure 14A , Figure 15B Similar to Figure 14B ,and Figure 15C Similar to Figure 14CThe difference from Figure 14 is essentially that the prefabricated insert to be placed in the injection mold 80 includes a wall portion C, an intermediate layer B, and a root section 100 with bristle tufts 38, and the frame portion A is overmolded onto the wall portion C and the intermediate layer B by injecting the material forming the frame portion A as the first overmolding material into the mold cavity 85. As discussed with respect to Figure 9, the intermediate layer can be configured in several ways to facilitate this separation of the frame portion A and the wall portion C. Furthermore, it should be noted that the insert for the wall portion C, the intermediate layer B, and the root section 100 can be a single insert, but can also include multiple inserts. For example, the root section 100 with bristles 38 can be a single insert, and... Figure 15A During the overmolding step in the mold 80, the first overmolding material is fused with the wall portion C due to the heat of the injected material.

[0420] Figure 16 This shows another variant of the integrated bristles, in addition to the bristles, the pressure chamber 90 and Figure 7B The pressure chamber 90 is the same. As a difference from Figures 14 and 15, each bristle tuft 38 has its own individual root segment 105. However, it should be noted that the root segment 100 of Figures 14 and 15 can also be... Figure 16 In the embodiments described above, and conversely, in addition to root segment 100 or other components, a separate root segment 105 may also be used in Figures 14 and / or 15. Similar to the embodiment of Figure 7, the wall portion C is contoured. As explained with respect to Figure 7, this contoured wall portion C can be provided as a pre-contoured wall portion by, for example, injection molding or thermoforming. As explained with respect to Figure 8, the contoured shape can also be obtained by thermoforming after the pressure chamber has been manufactured.

[0421] Figure 17 This shows another variant of the integrated bristles, in addition to the bristles, the pressure chamber 90 and Figure 8A The pressure chamber 90 is the same. Unlike Figures 14-16, multiple sets of multi-cluster bristles 38 have been attached to multiple root segments 110. Figure 17 Only two root segments 110 are shown in the figure. However, it should be noted that root segments 100 and / or root segments 105 in Figures 14 and 15 may also be shown in the figure. Figure 17 In the embodiments used, and conversely, in addition to root segment 100 and / or root segment 105 or other than root segment 100 and / or root segment 105, a single root segment 110 may also be used in Figures 14 and / or 15 and / or 16.

[0422] Figure 18 This shows another variant with integrated bristles, in addition to the bristles, pressure chamber 90 and Figure 8A and Figure 17 The pressure chamber is 90 degrees the same. Figure 18In the middle, the root segment is a separate root segment 105, and each bristle tuft 38 has a root segment 105.

[0423] Figures 19-29 illustrate a further elaboration of the example shown in Figures 7-13, which further elaborations the method of converting the manufacturing of a brushing chamber for a dental brace into the manufacturing of a complete dental brace having one or more pressure chambers manufactured according to the first aspect of the first invention. For the same or similar parts, Figures 19-29 use the same reference numerals as in the previous figures.

[0424] Figure 19 schematically illustrates and progressively demonstrates the method of manufacturing braces according to the first invention. Figure 19A The first step is shown: providing wall portion C as a prefabricated part. Figure 19B The second step is shown: Frame portion A is provided as a prefabricated part, and prefabricated frame portion A and prefabricated wall portion C are assembled together. Assembly is facilitated by hooks 120 formed at the upper and lower edges of the upper and lower wall portions, respectively. These hooks 120 hook around the upper edge 121 and lower edge of the frame portion. The flexibility of wall portion C further facilitates this hooking. In the next step, the resulting assembled unit is placed as a single insert in an injection mold (not shown). Injection mold and— Figure 19B The insert together Figure 19C The cavity is defined at the location of layer B. Subsequently, layer B is overmolded onto the exterior of frame portion A by injecting material for layer B into the injection mold. During the overmolding step, layer B is fused to the wall material C at attachment ring 84 and optionally also to the outer surface 128 of the frame portion. This produces... Figure 19C (in a decompression state) and Figure 19D (Under pressure) – laterally to the bending length axis z (See Figure 1) shows a cross-section of a dental brace having a pressure chamber 90 with a pressure cavity.

[0425] Figure 20 schematically illustrates and progressively demonstrates another method for manufacturing braces according to the first invention. Figure 20A The first step is shown: providing frame portion A, which has an H-shaped cross-section—transverse to the bending length direction of axis Z in Figure 1. Figure 20B In the second step shown, the intermediate layer B is disposed on the inner surface of the H-shaped cross-section. In this example, the intermediate layer B is adhered to, bonded to, or fused to the inner surface 129 of the frame portion A. In the next step, as shown... Figure 20B The units A and B shown are placed as inserts into an injection mold (not shown), which, together with the injection mold, defines a cavity for receiving material to be molded onto the upper and lower edges of the intermediate layer and the H-shaped frame portion A to provide the wall portion C, thereby producingFigure 20C —Seen in cross-section transverse to the bending length axis z (see Figure 1)—the dental brace. Because the intermediate layer B does not adhere to or bond to the wall portion C, the pressure chamber can be pressurized to a similar degree. Figure 19D The state shown. However, with Figure 19D The difference is that, in Figure 19D In the middle, it is a pressure chamber between the upper and lower parts of the braces, while... Figure 20C In one embodiment, frame portion A has a horizontal portion that extends between or through a single pressure chamber between two pressure chambers.

[0426] Figure 21 schematically illustrates and progressively demonstrates another method for manufacturing braces according to the first invention. Figure 21A The first step is shown: providing frame portion A, which has an H-shaped cross-section—transverse to the bending length direction of axis Z in Figure 1. Figure 21B In the second step shown, layer B is placed on the outer surface 130 of the H-shaped cross-section. Layer B protrudes from the H-shaped frame portion A at 124 to provide a beaded ring B2. In the next step, as shown... Figure 21B Units A and B shown are placed as inserts into an injection mold (not shown), defining a cavity together with the injection mold for receiving material to be overmolded onto the inner surface 129 of the H-shaped frame portion and the bead ring B2. Because in this embodiment, the overmolding material providing the wall portion C does not adhere to or bond to the frame portion A and is fused with the bead ring B2, an attachment ring 84 is obtained, which, together with the frame portion A and the wall portion C, seals the upper and lower pressure chambers, which function as a single pressure chamber while being fluidly connected to each other. The pressure chamber 90 of Figure 21 can be pressurized to a similar degree. Figure 19D The state shown. However, with Figure 19D The difference is that, in Figure 19D In the middle, it is a pressure chamber between the upper and lower parts of the braces, while... Figure 21C In one embodiment, frame portion A has a horizontal portion that extends between or through a single pressure chamber between two pressure chambers.

[0427] Figure 22 An example of another aligner with an upper pressure chamber and a lower pressure chamber 90 is shown. This example shows two variations in which the intermediate layer B is mechanically attached to the H-shaped frame portion A in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 10, as illustrated in the previous Figure 10.

[0428] Figures 23-26 show four examples of how to attach the wall portion C of the upper part of the braces to the wall portion C of the lower part of the braces, and Figure 23 shows an example of how to keep these wall portions unattached. Figure 23A , 24A25A and 26A show braces in a decompression state, and Figure 23B , 24B 25B and 26B show braces under pressure.

[0429] As shown in Figure 23, the upper wall portion C and the lower wall portion C can be separated by the intermediate member B with an H-shaped cross-section.

[0430] As shown in Figure 24, the upper wall portion C and the lower wall portion C can be attached to each other by means of the passage 127 in the horizontal portion of the H-shaped intermediate member.

[0431] As shown in Figure 25, in the case of frame portion A with an H-shaped cross-section, upper wall portion C and lower wall portion C can be attached to each other by means of passage 128 in the horizontal portion of U-shaped intermediate member B.

[0432] As shown in Figure 26, it is also possible that (locally) there is no horizontal connection between the facial and lingual sides of the braces. In this case, the upper part of the braces may have a lingual pressure chamber, and the lower part of the braces may have a facial pressure chamber.

[0433] Figure 27 A schematic top view shows a U-shaped dental brace having one or more pressure chambers manufactured using a method according to a first aspect of the first invention. The brace is shown in a depressurized state.

[0434] Turning now to Figures 28 to 38, a method for manufacturing braces according to the second invention will be illustrated. However, it should be noted that the steps of this method according to the second invention can be performed by the method according to the first invention, and the braces manufactured using the method according to the second invention can be braces according to the third invention.

[0435] Figures 28 to 31 illustrate several steps in a first embodiment of manufacturing a dental brace according to the second inventive method. In Figures 28-31, the pressure chamber manufacturing step is omitted to avoid obscuring the details. Figure 32-33 The flexible wall with bristles, omitted in Figures 28-32, is schematically shown. Subsequently, Figures 34-35 illustrate several steps in manufacturing the same first embodiment of the dental brace as shown in Figures 28-31; however, the pressure chamber manufacturing steps are now incorporated. Figures 28-35 all relate to the same first embodiment of the dental brace manufacturing. The following... Figure 36-3 Figure 8 shows second, third and fourth embodiments of a dental brace that can be manufactured according to the second invention.

[0436] The dental braces manufactured as shown in Figures 28 to 35 correspond to... Figure 2 The braces shown. Therefore, for the corresponding parts, Figures 28-35 use... Figure 2 The same reference numerals have already been used in the figures.

[0437] Figure 28 illustrates the steps provided in the framework section, where... Figure 28A Showing a top view and Figure 28B A perspective view is shown. (Example) Figure 28A , 28B As shown, a plate-shaped portion 203 is provided. This plate-shaped frame portion 203 is defined by an elongated member 204, which in this embodiment is three spaced-apart slot regions 211, 212, and 213 of the side member groups 216, 217, and 218, projecting laterally from the elongated member. For clarity, the elongated member 204 is... Figure 28A The center is already gray, while the side components are white. The groove areas 211, 212, and 213 are separated by connectors 44 and 46.

[0438] As can be seen in Figure 28, the plate-shaped frame portion 203 is in a thin-layer state. In Figure 28, the plate-shaped frame portion 203 is a generally flat two-dimensional portion. In the example of Figure 28, the plate-shaped portion 203 extends substantially in a plane spanning two straight perpendicular axes; however, it should be noted that the plate-shaped portion can also be curved or have a zig-zag-like profile in the thin-layer state, as seen at the transition 201 from the elongated portion to the side portion in Figure 28.

[0439] In the embodiments of Figures 28 to 35, the side members are all the individual flaps attached to the same longitudinal side of the elongated member 204.

[0440] Before continuing to explain the folding steps regarding Figure 29, refer to Figure 51 as an intermediate step. Figure 51A Showing something similar Figure 28B The perspective of the perspective in the middle, Figure 51B The cross-section of the portion is shown in the direction of arrow LI, indicated by the dashed line indicated by arrow LI. As can be seen better in Figure 51 than in Figure 28, the plate-shaped portion C can be outlined. For example, the plate-shaped portion may have a Z-shape at transition 201 to offset side member 217 relative to side members 218 and 216. This offset is shown in Figure 51 around the thickness t of the plate-shaped portion, but it can also be less or more, for example, up to 2-3 times the thickness t. Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 51, the plate-shaped portion may have recesses 64, 202 (or ribs not shown). Recess 64 connects to channel 63 in the handle connector. U-shaped recess 202 also connects to channel 63 in the handle connector. Once the pressure chamber is formed to—that is, the wall portion C is attached to—the frame portion A (as described below)... Figure 32-3 (4 for further explanation) The grooves 64 and 202 serve as channels that provide fluid communication between the channel 63 and the pressure chamber 60 of the pressure chamber 90.

[0441] Figure 29 illustrates the 'folding step'. In the folding step, the plate-shaped frame portion is folded from a thin layer state to a folded state. Figure 29A A top view of the plate-shaped frame section in a folded state is shown. Figure 29B A perspective view of the plate-shaped portion in a folded state is shown, and Figure 29C A side view of the plate-shaped frame section in a folded state is shown.

[0442] During the folding step, side members 216, 217, and 218 are folded around folding axes 220-225. These folding axes 220-225 are generally parallel to the length direction of the elongated member 204. Figure 29A As shown, this length direction is viewed along axis 41. In this folding step, each side member 216, 217, 218 is folded into slot sections 43, 45, and 47, respectively. Slot sections 216, 217, and 218 are aligned along length axis 41 to define the slot system 42 of aligned slot sections 43-45.

[0443] The resulting slot system in Figure 29 is essentially straight. This may not be a problem when the braces are relatively short and primarily used for posterior teeth, but when the braces are used for anterior teeth or both posterior and anterior teeth, they are brought into a J- or U-shaped configuration. Bringing the braces into a J- or U-shaped configuration may subject them to a 'bending step'.

[0444] Figure 30 illustrates this 'bending step', in which... Figure 30A A top view of the groove system 42 of the curved upper portion 40 of the braces is shown, and in which... Figure 30B A perspective view showing the curved upper portion of the braces.

[0445] During the bending step, the elongated member 204 is made to bend around one or more bending axes— Figure 30B Four of these bending axes are shown—bends that extend transversely to the length direction 41 of the elongated member 204 and are generally vertical when the brace is in use. Depending on the type of brace to be manufactured, this will bring the elongated member 204 into a J-shape or U-shape. When viewed from the length direction 41, this bending can begin from a straight state as shown in Figure 28, but it can also begin from a slightly bent state. The 'bending step' shown in Figure 30 can also be performed before the 'folding step' shown in Figure 29.

[0446] In cases where braces are needed to care for both the upper and lower teeth simultaneously, the brace (part) 40 of Figure 30 will be combined with another similar brace part. This step is... Figure 31 The text states that the upper brace portion 40 and the lower brace portion 50 are attached to each other to form what is called a U-shaped full brace.

[0447] Similarly, the hinge axis 210 used in the bending step can be permanently flexible to allow the brace 30 to flex in the horizontal plane relative to the horizontal bending length axis 41, as shown in the subject matter of the third invention.

[0448] Figures 32-33 A flexible wall with bristles, omitted in Figures 28-32, is schematically shown. Figure 32 The exploded view is shown in perspective, and Figure 33 As shown Figure 32 The cross-section is indicated by arrow XXXIII. Considering the similarity between Figures 7 and 16, which relate to the first invention, Figures 32-33 Use similar reference numerals as those in Figure 7-27 for similar parts.

[0449] Figure 32 An exploded view shows, on one hand, the wall portion C, such as the flexible wall portion, and on the other hand, the root sections 100, 100' provided with bristle tufts 38. Although root sections 100' are substantially the same as root sections 100, their designations differ slightly because the pressure chambers 90 formed are slightly different. The difference is that two root sections 100' are attached to the wall portion C in zone 231—similar to those shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, and 18—and another root section 100 is attached to the wall portion in boundary zone 231, similar to Figures 7 and 16. As explained with respect to Figures 7, 8, and 16, the 'boundary' around zone 231 can be profile 209, which is configured to unfold when the pressure chamber is pressurized and (optionally) fold when the pressure chamber is depressurized. As explained with respect to Figures 7, 8, and 16, this profile can be obtained by injection molding or thermoforming. Root section 100' is located in the bottom portion of the groove section to be formed. Root section 100 is located on the sidewall of the groove section to be formed. Bending section 232—see [link / reference] Figure 33 —When pressure is applied and depressurized to make the bristles move back and forth, it provides some extra flexibility to the wall section C.

[0450] like Figure 32 As can be seen, wall portion C has substantially the same shape and size as frame portion A shown in Figures 28 and 51. Furthermore, it should be noted that the attachment of root segments 100, 100' to wall portion C can be achieved in virtually any manner, for example, one of the methods already described or to be described in this application. The root segments can be attached to wall portion C, for example, by means of adhesive, by fusion with wall portion C, by embedding in wall portion C, etc.

[0451] Referring now to Figure 34, it should be noted that, for clarity, the root sections 100 and 105 with bristle tufts are not shown.

[0452] Figure 34A and 34Bas well as Figure 35 The pressure chamber manufacturing steps according to the second inventive method are shown. It should be clear that this 'pressure manufacturing step' can be accomplished using an overmolding step, employing any embodiment of the method according to the first inventive method.

[0453] Figure 34A The frame portion C / plate-shaped frame portion 203 is shown in a substantially flat, thin-layer state, wherein—in this example, outlined—wall portion C is slightly higher than it. Although this shows—very clearly shows—that both frame portion A / 203 and wall portion C are prefabricated portions, it should be noted that... Figure 34A The main purpose is to illustrate the steps of providing the frame portion and the wall portion as part of the method according to the first invention. The frame portion A or the wall portion C can be provided entirely by molding one over the other, as described and explained with respect to the first invention. Figure 34B The assembly unit of frame portion A and wall portion C is shown. As described above, frame portions A and C can be attached to each other in any manner as described with respect to the first invention and Figures 7-27, but frame portions A and wall portion C can also be prefabricated portions, attached to each other by welding them to each other in contact area 233, see [reference to Figure 7-27]. Figure 34B The arrow XXXV in the middle indicates Figure 35 The cross-section. As explained with respect to Figure 8, profile 209 can also be obtained, for example, by thermoforming after the pressure chamber has been manufactured.

[0454] Figure 34B This is the equivalent diagram in Figure 28, but now it includes a pressure chamber. Similarly, Figure 34C This is the equivalent diagram of Figure 29. Figure 34D It is the equivalent diagram of Figure 30, and Figure 34E yes Figure 31 The equivalent diagram.

[0455] Figure 36A second embodiment of the braces 260, obtainable using the method according to the second invention, is shown in perspective view, and for clarity, the pressure chamber and bristles are not shown, as in Figures 28-31. In this embodiment, the elongated member 204 is U-shaped (or J-shaped for shorter braces), and each of the five sets of side members includes a first side flap 235 attached to a first U-shaped (or J-shaped) longitudinal side 237 of the elongated member 204, and a second side flap 236 attached to the opposite second U-shaped (or J-shaped) longitudinal side 238 of the elongated member. The first side flap 235 has been bent from a flat position to an upright position according to arrow A, and the second side flap 235 has been bent from a flat position to an upright position according to arrow B. The elongated member 204 has two cuts 239 and 240, respectively, originating from a first longitudinal side 237 and a second longitudinal side 240, between adjacent slot sections. These cuts terminate at a distance from each other, leaving a flexible connector 241 between the cuts 239 and 240. This flexible connector allows the brace 260 to bend in a horizontal plane relative to the horizontal bending length axis 41, as described in the subject matter of the third invention. In the case of simultaneously caring for both upper and lower teeth, as already discussed... Figure 31 and 34E As explained, two braces can be combined, 260.

[0456] Figure 37 shows a top view ( Figure 37A ) and perspective ( Figure 37B This illustrates a third embodiment of the braces 270 that can be obtained using the method according to the second invention. (See Figures 28-31) Figure 36 Similarly, for clarity, the pressure chamber and bristles are not shown. This dental brace has four slotted sections 43, 45, 47, and 49 connected by connectors 44, 46, and 48 in the tongue wall of the brace. By configuring the connectors 44, 46, and 48 to be flexible relative to the vertical axis, for example by means of a hinge 210, this dental brace 270 is allowed to flex in the horizontal plane relative to the horizontal bending length axis 41, as shown in the subject matter of the third invention. This dental brace can be manufactured from a plate-shaped portion having an initial thin-layer state, similar to that already explained with respect to Figures 28-34. In the case of simultaneously caring for both the upper and lower teeth, as already explained with respect to Figure 31 and 34E As explained, two braces can be combined (270).

[0457] Figure 38 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the braces 280 that can be obtained using the method according to the second invention. (Compared to Figures 28-31) Figure 36-3 Similar to 7, for clarity, the pressure chamber and bristles are not shown. Figure 38A This shows a plate-shaped frame section in a thin-layer state. Figure 38B The braces 280 are shown in perspective view, and Figure 38C The braces 280 are shown in a top view.

[0458] This brace 280 has five slotted sections 43, 45, 47, 49, and 89 connected by connectors 44, 46, 48, and 58. By configuring the connectors 44, 46, 48, and 58 to be flexible relative to the vertical axis, for example by means of a hinge 210—shown as dashed—this allows the brace 280 to flex in the horizontal plane relative to the horizontal bending length axis 41, as shown in the subject matter of the third invention. Connectors 44 and 58 are located in the lingual wall of the brace 280, between the two posterior slotted sections. Connectors 46 and 48 are located in the facial wall of the brace 280, between the anterior slotted section 47 and the posterior slotted sections 45 and 49. Figure 38A As can be seen, the plate-shaped frame part corresponds to a zi-shaped section. g -za g The slender member has a shape. This arrangement of connectors, which switches between the face sidewall and the tongue sidewall of the slot system, counteracts the rotation of the tongue and face sidewalls of the slot section relative to the bending length axis 41.

[0459] When caring for both the upper and lower teeth simultaneously, as already mentioned... Figure 31 and 34E The explanation can be combined. Figure 38A and 38B The two braces shown are 280.

[0460] Turning now to Figures 39 to 49, a flexible brace according to the third invention will be illustrated. Before proceeding, it should be noted that the brace according to the third invention can be manufactured using the method according to the second invention. Observing that the method according to the second invention involves folding an assembly of 'plate-shaped frame portions having one or more pressure chambers' into a groove system of mutually aligned groove segments, and optionally bending the groove system into a J-shaped or U-shaped groove system, it will be apparent that the brace according to the third invention can also be manufactured using another method. The frame portions may have been pre-formed directly into their final form, for example by injection molding, making the 'folding step' and optional 'bending step' redundant. Furthermore, if the groove segments are joined by flexible connectors, the brace according to the third invention may have more or fewer groove segments per groove system than the braces already described with respect to the second (and first) inventions. In the braces according to the third invention, one or—in the case of simultaneously caring for the upper and lower teeth—two slot systems may, for example, consist of a slot system having slot walls that have a U-shaped cross-section when viewed transverse to the bending length direction of the braces, and which extend continuously from one rear end of the braces to the other rear end of the braces with this U-shaped cross-section.

[0461] Referring to Figure 39, the basic principles of the dental braces according to the invention will be explained using a very schematic illustration of the braces according to the invention, wherein the slot system can be conceived as one of a continuous extending slot wall having the U-shaped cross-section, or can have three, four, or five spaced slot wall segments, each spaced slot wall segment having a U-shaped cross-section, as shown in Figures 40, 41, and 42.

[0462] Similar to other figures, the braces are indicated by reference numeral 30 in Figure 39. Furthermore, similar to other figures, reference numeral 31 indicates the handle connector, reference numeral 32 indicates the front portion of the braces, reference numerals 33 and 34 indicate the rear portion of the braces, reference numerals 36 and 37 indicate the rear (outer) end of the braces, reference numeral 35 indicates the front end of the braces, and reference numerals 3U and 18U indicate the wisdom teeth.

[0463] Figures 39A-39D Showing when the braces are removed Figure 39A The neutral position crosses to the first extreme position of the left wisdom tooth 18U surrounded by braces - participate Figure 39B And from Figure 39B The first extreme position via Figure 39C The neutral position of the braces passing through the right wisdom tooth 18U is surrounded by the braces. Figure 39D At the second extreme position, the braces are in four consecutive positions.

[0464] The braces according to the third invention have a front brace portion 32 and two back brace portions 33 and 34. The back portion 33 extends from the rear end 36 to the dashed boundary line 303, the front portion extends from the dashed boundary line 303 to the dashed boundary line 304, and the back portion 34 extends from the dashed boundary line 304 to the rear end 37. Figure 39A and 39C As can be seen in Figure 39, in the neutral position of the braces, the front portion 32 overlaps with all the anterior teeth, while the rear portions 33 and 34 overlap only with a portion of the posterior teeth. As can be seen in Figure 39, the length of the braces 30 according to the third invention is shorter than the length of the dental arch when viewed along the curvature of the braces. (Reference) Figure 39B and 39D This illustrates the relative extreme offset positions of the braces according to the third invention, showing that as the braces traverse the dental arch, boundary lines 303 and 304 (as part of the braces) also move relative to the dental arch. In the offset positions, the front portion 32 of the braces will overlap with a portion of the anterior teeth and a portion of the posterior teeth, one rear portion 34 (or 33) will overlap only with a portion of the posterior teeth (on the associated side of the dental arch), and another rear portion 33 (or 34) will overlap with a portion of the posterior teeth (on the associated side of the dental arch) and a portion of the anterior teeth.

[0465] In all positions relative to the dental arch, the braces will overlap with all anterior teeth. However, given that, as shown in Figures 40-43, the braces can consist of multiple spaced-apart compartments—often referred to as slot sections in this document—this does not mean that all anterior teeth are simultaneously surrounded by a slot compartment in every position.

[0466] Turning now to the third invention, in which a handle connector is attached to the front end of the dental brace according to the third invention. According to the third invention, the handle connector engages with the dental brace only at the front end.

[0467] In use, the handle connector 31 will be fixed in or to the connector end 75 of the handle 71, see [link / reference]. Figure 6 Preferably, the handle connector 31 is removably secured to the connector end 75 to allow, for example, replacement of one dental aligner 30 with another or one handle 71 with another. The handle 71 allows the user i) to move the dental aligner 30 in and out of the mouth, and ii) to apply a passing force to the handle connector 31 and / or the dental aligner 30 to move the aligner to the right or left relative to the dental arch so that the dental aligner 30—like a monorail—passes across the dental arch. Figures 39A-39B In the diagram, arrow R indicates the penetrating force on the right side of the corresponding figure, and arrow L indicates the penetrating force on the left side of the figure. Furthermore, Figures 39A-39D The sector RS in the text indicates the (right) sector of the toothed brace on the right side of the handle connector 31, and Figures 39A-39D The sector LS in the diagram refers to the (left) sector of the ferrule on the left side of the handle connector 31 (here relative to the drawing).

[0468] According to the third invention, the handle connector 31 is attached, and specifically specifically attached, to the front end 35 of the brace 30, and is further configured according to the third invention—see FIG39—to transfer the through force R (or L) applied to the handle connector 31 (via the handle 70) to the aligned slot sections, such that all slot sections in front of the handle connector when viewed along the through direction—i.e., the right sector RS (or the left sector LS, if the through force L)—are advanced by pushing the handle connector, while all slot sections behind the handle connector when viewed along the through direction—i.e., the left sector LS (or the right sector RS, if the through force L)—are advanced by pulling the handle connector.

[0469] Figures 40-43 show some examples of dental braces 30 according to the invention, which may be manufactured entirely using the method according to the second invention, but may also be manufactured in different ways as described above. Furthermore, all of these dental braces 30 are shown in a simplified manner. Brushing elements, such as bristles or bristle tufts, are not shown, nor are details of pressure chambers or other devices for moving the brushing elements back and forth relative to the slot system / slot section shown.

[0470] like Figure 2 , 6 As shown in Figures 30, 31, and 34, the brace 30 in Figure 40 is similar to the brace 30. Accordingly, similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts. Figure 40A A perspective view is shown, and Figure 14B This shows a top view of the braces in a neutral position, protruding onto the dental arch. Note... Figure 41 The braces 30 may have been manufactured in a manner different from that according to the second invention, regarding Figure 2 , 6 The remainder, explicitly and implicitly set forth in embodiments 30 and 34, are applicable mutatis mutandis. Figure 41 Braces.

[0471] The braces in Figure 40 have two groove systems: an upper groove system 42 and a lower groove system 52. Each of these groove systems has three groove segments that are spaced apart from each other and are located on the U-shaped curved length axes 41 and 51 of the respective upper portion 40 and lower portion 50 of the braces 30 (see Figure 40). Figure 2 Alignment is achieved on the tooth arch. These slot sections are connected by flexible connectors 44, 46, 54, and 56, allowing the dental arch to traverse the tooth arch, as explained with respect to Figure 39. Flexible connectors 44, 46, 54, and 56 allow the slot sections to move relative to each other about an axis extending in the direction of the bending axis 210. The flexibility of the connectors can be attributed to hinges provided at these bending axes 210, such as movable hinges, but can also be attributed to the fact that connectors 44, 46, 54, and 56 are configured to allow this connector to bend / bend about an axis extending in the direction of the bending axis 210.

[0472] As can be seen in the embodiment of Figure 40, connectors 44, 46, 54, and 56 are all located on the facial side of the braces, such that in this embodiment, the slot systems 42 and 52 have continuous extending walls along the facial side. This prevents facial tissues, such as the inner side of the user's cheeks or lips, from being caught or trapped between portions of the braces as the braces conform to the shape of the dental arch during their passage along the arch.

[0473] in addition, Figure 40BThe diagram shows that the length of the inner wall / lingual wall 305 of the anterior groove segment 45, when viewed along the curvature axis 41, is shorter than the length of the outer wall / facial wall 306 of the anterior groove segment when viewed along the curvature axis 41. This facilitates the braces' passage along the dental arch because it prevents the right and left sides of the inner wall 305 of the groove segment 45 from getting stuck between adjacent teeth. Similarly, the inner walls 305 of groove segments 43, 53, 47, and 57 may additionally or alternatively be shorter than the outer walls 306 of these groove segments. This concept of the inner wall of a groove segment being shorter than its outer wall can be applied in any embodiment of the invention, and may also be applied in embodiments further discussed below, which may not be repeated here, and may not be shown in the drawings.

[0474] Figure 41 The braces 30 are shown in a top view, which is similar to the braces 30 shown in Figure 37. Note that... Figure 41 The braces 30 may have been manufactured in a manner different from that according to the second invention. The remainder, explicitly and implicitly illustrated with respect to the embodiment of FIG37, is applicable mutatis mutandis. Figure 41 Braces. Furthermore, all content has been described with reference to Figure 40, such as the connectors, flexibility, and length of the groove section walls, and is also applicable in comparison. Figure 41 Braces. Accordingly, similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts. Although Figure 41 The diagram shows a top view of only one brace section, but it is obvious that, as... Figure 40A As shown, two similar braces can be attached to each other in a mirror manner to obtain braces for simultaneous care of the upper and lower teeth.

[0475] Figure 42 The braces 30 are shown in a top view, which is similar to the braces 30 shown in Figure 38. Note that... Figure 42 The braces 30 may have been manufactured in a manner different from that according to the second invention; the remainder, explicitly and implicitly illustrated with respect to the embodiment of FIG38, is applicable mutatis mutandis. Figure 42 Braces. Furthermore, all content has been described with reference to Figure 40, such as the connectors, flexibility, and length of the groove section walls, and is also applicable in comparison. Figure 42 Braces. Accordingly, similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts. Although Figure 42 The diagram shows a top view of only one brace section, but it is obvious that, as... Figure 40A As shown, two similar brace sections can be attached to each other in a mirror manner to obtain braces for simultaneous care of the upper and lower teeth. As will be further shown in Figure 48, this connector arrangement, which switches between the facial and lingual sides of the slot system, counteracts rotation from the lingual and facial sides of the slot section relative to the curvature axis 41.

[0476] Figure 43 The top view shows braces 30, which resembles... Figure 3 and 42 The braces shown are 30. Figure 43 It is a) J-shaped braces and b) Figure 42 Half of the braces. Figure 43 The braces also feature connectors that switch between the facial and lingual sides. Note... Figure 43 The braces 30 may have been manufactured in a manner different from that according to the second invention, regarding Figure 3 and 42 The remainder of the embodiments, whether explicitly or implicitly described, are applicable mutatis mutandis. Figure 43 Braces. Furthermore, all content has been described with reference to Figure 40, such as the connectors, flexibility, and length of the groove section walls, and is also applicable in comparison. Figure 43 Braces. Accordingly, similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts. Although Figure 43 The diagram shows a top view of only one brace section, but it is obvious that, as... Figure 40A As shown, two similar braces can be attached to each other in a mirror manner to obtain braces for simultaneous care of the upper and lower teeth.

[0477] Figure 47A The diagram schematically illustrates the lower dental arch 2 and its cross-section, transverse to the (curved) length direction of the dental arch 2, at dental positions 18 and 16 of the wisdom tooth 18 and the first molar 16, respectively. As can be seen, the base 18′ of dental position 18 is much larger than the base 16′ of dental position 16. This is due to the widening of the gingiva in the mandible and / or wisdom tooth region. In practice, this widening typically begins with the second molar, and sometimes precedes it. The amount and location of the widening can vary from person to person. This can cause discomfort when the posterior end 35 of the last groove segment 43 at the posterior end of the brace contacts the widened base. Therefore, in practice, the groove system of the brace has a width that widens towards the posterior end. When the brace traverses along the dental arch, this results in reduced brushing action as the posterior end 35 of the brace passes along the second molar, the first molar, and possibly along the second premolar and the first premolar. According to another embodiment of the third invention—which, whether described in this application or not, can be applied to any embodiment—this is offset by configuring the flexibility of the sidewalls 305, 306 of the last groove section at the rear end of the brace to be greater than the flexibility of the remaining sidewalls of the groove section—see [link to related invention]. Figure 47B The details within. This flexibility—in that is... Figure 47BIn the area 310 shown, the rear end 35 of the sidewall of the last groove segment is allowed to deform to conform to the widening of the base. Thus, when viewed in a horizontal plane and transverse to the length of the dental arch, the width of the last groove segment 46 (and other groove segments) can remain small away from the rear end 35 to allow for good brushing in these locations, while at the rear end 35 of the braces, the width of the groove segment 46 can be locally adjusted or adapted to the widening of the base, thus avoiding user discomfort. To improve brushing action when the rear end of the braces surrounds, for example, a molar away from, for example, a second or first molar, wisdom tooth, according to another embodiment of this third invention, the flexibility of the rear end 35 of the sidewalls 305, 306 of the last groove segment 46 is elastic or deformable. This elasticity allows the flexible rear end 35 of the sidewalls 305, 306 of the last groove segment 46 to flex towards each other, reducing the width of the groove segment 46 in the portion of the dental arch where the base is narrower. Since the base of the dental arch generally tends to widen in the direction from the central incisor towards the wisdom tooth, this principle can be applied not only to the last groove segment 46 but also to other groove segments. Therefore, more generally, the posterior ends of the sidewalls 305 and 306 of groove segments 43, 53, 45, 55, 47, 57, 49, and 89 can be configured to be more flexible, for example, elastically flexible, than the remaining sidewalls 305 and 306 of the other groove segments 43, 53, 45, 55, 47, 57, 49, and 89. In the case of a central (or anterior) groove segment located in a neutral position relative to the central axis 21 of the dental arch, the ends of the two sidewalls of the groove segment can be configured to be more flexible, for example, elastically flexible, than the remaining sidewalls of the central groove segment.

[0478] Figure 44 shows a case where the brace with a slotted section joined by a flexible connector is too flexible. Figure 44A In cases where the dental brace with a grooved section joined by a flexible connector is too rigid ( Figure 44B And in the case of a dental brace having a grooved section joined by a flexible connector, it possesses the precise flexibility it is required to have. Figure 44C The illustration is shown.

[0479] Figure 44C The ideal situation is illustrated below. When a row of groove segments 43-47 is pushed from the neutral position shown by the solid line to the offset position shown by the dashed line, the length of the displacement indicated by arrow V1 of the anterior groove segment 47, measured along the dental arch, should ideally be the same as the length of the displacement W1 of the posterior groove segment 43. Then, arrows V1 and W1, measured along the dental arch, have the same length. Of course, this is the ideal situation. In practice, there will be differences, but these will not significantly reduce the function of the braces or cause discomfort to the user. The applicant has found that, in practice, the length of arrow W1 can be approximately 70% or 80% of the length of arrow V1. This can depend on the compressibility of the material used for the braces and other factors.

[0480] The applicant also found that, given the relatively low force required to move the braces back and forth along the dental arch, the flexibility of the braces as a whole and / or as connectors could easily be too large or too small. The bandwidth is relatively small.

[0481] When the flexibility is too great, wrinkles or serrations may appear in a row of slot sections and connectors, such as... Figure 44A As shown by the dashed line 320. This will make the length of arrow W3 significantly smaller than the length of arrow V1, which will also allow the rear groove segment to surround the perpendicular... Figure 44A Rotating around the plane axis, and because the column does not allow the user to resist the applied thrust that is not parallel to the tooth arch, the front slot section 47 also rotates around the axis perpendicular to the plane. Figure 44A The axis of the drawing plane is rotated. Misalignment of the groove segment relative to the dental arch can cause the end edge of the groove segment to be pressed against the gum or between the spaces between adjacent teeth, resulting in discomfort and potentially causing the row to jam.

[0482] When flexibility is too low, a row of slot sections and connectors may tend to adopt wide curves, causing the column's length axis to bend outwards, such as... Figure 44B As shown by the dashed line 325 in the diagram. This can have the same effect as when the flexibility is too high. This will make the length of arrow W2 significantly smaller than the length of arrow V1, which will also cause the rear groove section to wrap around the perpendicular... Figure 44A The plane rotates along the axis, and because the column is too stiff, the front slot section 47 also rotates around a plane perpendicular to the axis. Figure 44A The axis of the drawing plane is rotated. Misalignment of the groove segment relative to the dental arch can cause the end edge of the groove segment to be pressed against the gum or between the spaces between adjacent teeth, resulting in discomfort and potentially causing the row to jam.

[0483] Now refer to Figures 45 and 46. It is known that a person's upper and lower dental arches are not actually the same. The overall curvature may differ, and there may also be local differences along the position of the dental arch, which may result in misalignment of the teeth relative to the overall curvature of the dental arch.

[0484] When braces traverse along the dental arch, differences in overall or partial curvature between the upper and lower dental arches may cause the lower dental arch to tend to conform to the braces overall and / or partially, unlike the upper dental arch. This may result in reduced brushing action and / or discomfort for the user. According to another embodiment of the third invention, this can be counteracted by configuring the braces 30 in such a way that, when traversing back and forth along the dental arch, the upper braces portion 40 experiences a first conformation to the upper dental arch, and allows the lower braces portion 50 to experience a second conformation to the lower dental arch, the second conformation being different from the first conformation. According to the third invention, several alternative or supplementary methods exist to achieve this:

[0485] -like Figure 45A and45B As shown, in the right half of these figures, one or more posterior groove segments, i.e., groove segments surrounding or only surrounding the posterior teeth in a neutral position, can remain unconnected, allowing them to move freely relative to each other in a horizontal direction transverse to the curvature of the dental arch; this also allows groove segments of the upper and lower braces portions to move relative to each other in a direction transverse to the plane traversed by the curved dental axis. This can be applied to all or some of the vertically adjacent groove segments in any embodiment of the third invention, regardless of whether this embodiment 3 and / or has been described or shown in this application.

[0486] -like Figure 45A and 45B As shown in the right half of these figures, one or more rear slot sections can be connected to vertically adjacent rear slot sections via flexible connectors, thereby allowing the connected slot sections to move relative to each other in a horizontal direction transverse to the tooth arch. Movement relative to each other in a direction transverse to the plane spanned by the bending length axis of the tooth arch can then be prevented. This can be applied to all or some of the vertically adjacent slot sections in any embodiment of the third invention, regardless of whether this embodiment has been described or shown in this application. Reference Figure 45A and 45B The left side and Figure 45C On the right side, this can be achieved, for example, by a slit 330 and a pin 335, which together form a pin-slit connection. The slit 330 formed in one of the vertically adjacent slot sections can extend horizontally transversely to the direction of the arch's curvature, and the pin 335, attached to and protruding from the other vertically adjacent slot section into the slit 330, can extend substantially vertically; and / or

[0487] -like Figure 46 The diagram schematically illustrates that, when viewed from a neutral position along the central axis of the dental arch, the upper and lower portions of the braces can be attached to each other via a flexible attachment 340. This flexible attachment 340 can be positioned on the lingual side of the braces, such as... Figure 46 As shown, this can be at the facial side, anywhere between the facial and lingual sides, or extending from the lingual side to the facial side of the braces. To ensure that the passing force is effectively transmitted from the handle connector 31 to the upper frame portion 40 and the lower frame portion 50, the flexible attachment 340 can be configured to prevent the upper portion 40 and the lower portion 50 of the braces from translating relative to each other at the front end 35 of the braces. To allow the upper and lower portions to have effective flexibility relative to each other during back-and-forth passage along the dental arch, the flexible attachment 340 can additionally or alternatively be configured to allow the upper portion 40 and the lower portion 50 of the braces to rotate relative to each other about an axis transverse to a plane spanned by the bending length axis of the braces.

[0488] Figure 48 schematically illustrates the flexibility of a brace to be counteracted or restricted according to another embodiment of the third invention. This relates to the torsional flexibility of the brace. When the U-shaped brace, having an upper groove system and a lower groove system, is in the neutral position, there is a horizontal distance D1 between the U-shaped legs at the rear end—see Figure 48. Figure 48A The H-shaped cross-section at the rear end can have an initial (non-deformed) state, such as... Figure 48A As shown. This is achieved by subsequently squeezing the legs of the U-shaped braces together to a smaller distance—see [link to diagram]. Figure 48B Finally, the deformation of the groove section and other groove sections, such as in Figure 48B As can be seen, the lingual sidewall 302 and facial sidewall 301 of the socket system rotate relative to the curvature axis of the aligner. A similar effect occurs when the aligner traverses the dental arch back and forth due to the curvature changes that adapt during the back-and-forth movement. This can cause discomfort due to increased pressure on the gums and / or teeth, and can cause the aligner to become stuck relative to the dental arch, thus reducing brushing action. According to the invention, this can be prevented by configuring the connectors between adjacent socket segments to be sufficiently flexible to prevent the angle α of the facial sidewall 301 and the angle β of the lingual sidewall 302 in the second premolar region from changing more than 15°, preferably at most 10° or at most 5°, relative to the corresponding neutral position when the aligner is traversed 1 cm along the dental arch from the neutral position. In the example of FIG48, both sidewalls 301 and 302 extend vertically in the neutral position, but this may be different in other embodiments.

[0489] According to the experimental setup shown in Figure 49, a way to express the flexibility of the braces according to the present invention can be found when measuring the resistance to widening and / or narrowing of the braces. In the experimental setup, the handle connector 31 is fixed immovably in the clamp. Then, at a distance K of 30 mm from the front end 35 of the braces, an outward force N and an inward force M are applied in a direction transverse to the central axis 350 (which coincides with the central axis of the dental arch).

[0490] After designing and manufacturing a small (see) Figure 49A ), medium-sized (see) Figure 49B After the initial treatment and the use of large (see Figure 49c) braces, these braces not only need to be flexible, but also sufficiently flexible to smoothly traverse the dental arch. These three types of braces are U-shaped braces with upper and lower sections, such as... Figure 2As shown. The flexibility standards of the braces were tested on a so-called AG-3 model with 32 teeth. Frasaco GmbH is one of the companies that manufactures dental models for training, education, and research in the dental field. After determining whether the braces met the applicant's flexibility standards and finding the optimal design, the applicant manufactured the aforementioned small, medium, and large braces based on this design. The applicant subjected each of these "optimal" or "best" braces to a widening force N and determined that at the point Q where force N engages, force N moves laterally by 10 mm relative to the central axis 35°. This produces the following measured resistance FAW for widening, see Table 1 below. The applicant subjected the small, medium, and large braces to a narrowing force M and determined that at the point P where force M engages, force M moves laterally by 10 mm relative to the central axis 35°. This produces the following measured resistance FAN for narrowing, see Table 1 below. This was all accomplished using braces with a plate-shaped frame (partial) made of PP, with a wall thickness of 1.5 mm, which appears to be ideal.

[0491]

[0492] Table 1

[0493] Subsequently, the applicant made design changes by altering the wall thickness of the PP frame portion and using frame portions made of different materials. The applicant found that with a PP thickness of 1mm, the frame became too flexible (too soft), while with a PP thickness of 2mm, the frame became insufficiently flexible or approximately insufficiently flexible (too stiff). Using this information, the applicant determined the resistance to narrowing F... AN and resistance to widening F AW The scope is as mentioned in the claims and elsewhere in the specification.

[0494] The applicant also pointed out that when using, such as Figure 3 When the J-shaped braces shown were used in the same tests that produced the results in Table 1—the same J-shaped braces used in the tests that produced the values ​​in Table 1—they yielded essentially the same results as those shown in Table 1. This is hardly surprising.

[0495] The applicant also noted that when the test that produced the results in Table 1 above was repeated using a semi-U-shaped nozzle—that is, braces with only the upper brace portion 40 or the lower brace portion 50—such as Figure 2 As shown, but otherwise the same U-shaped brace was used to generate the values ​​in Table 1, resulting in Table 2 below, where the values ​​are basically half of those in Table 1.

[0496]

[0497] Table 2

[0498] Referring to Figure 50, details of another embodiment of the braces according to the third invention are shown. Figure 50A The rear end of the last groove section 43, 53 of the braces is shown in perspective view in the first position. Figure 50B Showing with Figure 50A It is the same perspective view in the middle, but now it is in the second position. Figure 50C The bottom portion of the upper groove section is shown in a side view in the first position relative to the rear end of the tooth arch. Figure 50D The bottom portion of the upper groove section, in the second position relative to the rear end of the tooth arch, is shown in a side view.

[0499] In braces that do not traverse the dental arch, the rear end of the brace may be adapted to have one or more longer bristles on a rear end wall that projects vertically from the bottom of the socket. In braces that traverse the dental arch, this will result in reduced brushing action because when the longer bristles are below the occlusal side of the teeth, it will cause the other shorter bristles to have less contact with the occlusal surface of the teeth, and the same situation will occur when the vertically projecting end wall of the socket system is below the occlusal surface of the teeth.

[0500] To allow for the care or brushing of the back 375 of the last tooth of the dental arch, a last groove section according to the third invention may be provided, having a movable bottom portion 371 at the rear end of the bottom 370 of the last groove section, the movable bottom portion having bristles projecting transversely to the movable bottom portion, wherein the movable bottom portion 371 is rotatable about a rotation axis 376 extending horizontally transversely to the (bent) length direction of the dental arch from a retracted position. Figure 50A and 50C Move to the tilted vertical position. Figure 50B and 50D The axis of rotation is located at the front side 372 of the movable bottom portion. To allow the movable bottom portion to stand upright as it passes the rear end of the last tooth and retract as it moves below the occlusal surface of the tooth, the brace is configured to offset the movable wall portion toward the upright position, at least during use. For this offset, a pressure chamber 373 may be used. In another embodiment, the back of this pressure chamber may have a serrated wall portion 377, which facilitates the erection and retraction of the bristled movable wall portion when passing below the rear end of the last tooth.

[0501] Although Figure 50 shows only the movable bottom portion relative to the upper brace portion and does not show other details unrelated to this feature of the movable wall portion, such as bristles, pressure chambers, etc., it is evident that such a movable wall or similar movable wall portion can be applied in any embodiment of the third invention—whether or not described in this application—and to other braces that traverse along the dental arch.

[0502] The embodiments of the first, second, and third inventions can also be described using the following terms:

[0503] 1) A method of manufacturing a pressure chamber for a dental crown, the crown being used to simultaneously care for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in the pressure chamber, wherein the method comprises:

[0504] -Step b): Provide the frame portion of the brace's frame in the injection mold.

[0505] -Step c): Provide a wall portion of the flexible wall of the dental brace in the injection mold.

[0506] -Step f): Overmolding, wherein a first overmolding material is injected into the injection mold to attach the wall portion and the frame portion to each other along the attachment ring, such that the attachment ring, a portion of the wall portion surrounded by the attachment ring, and a portion of the frame portion surrounded by the attachment ring define a pressure chamber.

[0507] - Step g): Allow the constructed pressure chamber to solidify and remove it from the injection mold, thereby manufacturing the pressure chamber having a frame portion and a flexible wall portion.

[0508] 2) The method according to Clause 1, wherein the wall portion is stretchable, for example, elastically stretchable.

[0509] 3) The method according to Clause 1 or Clause 2, wherein the method further comprises the step of: arranging the frame portion and the wall portion in a layered manner along each other to obtain a layered structure having frame portion layers and wall portion layers parallel to each other.

[0510] 4) The method according to Clause 3, wherein the method further comprises the step of: introducing a pressurizing medium into a region between the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer to separate the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer, the region being surrounded by the attachment ring.

[0511] 5) The method according to any one of clauses 3 to 4, wherein the method further comprises step a): providing an intermediate member; wherein one of steps b) and c) is performed before step f) to produce the provided portion 3; wherein the method further comprises step d) in step f): combining the provided portion and the intermediate member to obtain a combined portion, wherein the intermediate member is positive or negative for pre-defining the position of the attachment ring to be obtained after step d); and wherein another of steps b) and c) is performed in step f) to provide another of the wall portion and the frame portion respectively, to obtain the layered structure and the attachment ring by molding it onto the combined portion.

[0512] 6) The method according to Clause 5, wherein in step d), the intermediate component is attached to the provided portion.

[0513] 7) The method according to one of the clauses 5 to 6, wherein step b) is performed before step f) to produce the provided portion as part of the frame, and wherein step c) is performed in step f).

[0514] 8) The method according to Clause 7, wherein the method further comprises step e) prior to step f): preparing the injection mold such that it has a mold cavity 3 defined by a first cavity wall and a second cavity wall opposite to and spaced apart from the first cavity wall, wherein step e) comprises:

[0515] - A hole is provided in the first cavity wall, the hole being:

[0516] -Has an end with a hole leading to the mold cavity, and

[0517] - Fill 3 with the bristles at the end of the hole in the root section and

[0518] - The assembled portion is placed as an insert into the mold cavity, spaced apart from the first cavity wall, with the frame portion abutting against the second cavity wall; and

[0519] The first covering molding material is a wall material (C) used to form the wall portion, and is injected into the mold cavity in step f) such that the root segment of the bristles is integrated with the wall portion (C).

[0520] 9) The method according to any one of clauses 5 to 6, wherein step c) is performed prior to step f) to produce the provided portion 3 as the wall portion, wherein the method further includes step e) prior to step f): preparing the injection mold such that it has a cavity defined by a first cavity wall and a second cavity wall opposite to and spaced apart from the first cavity wall; wherein step e) includes:

[0521] - A hole is provided in the first cavity wall, the hole being:

[0522] -Has an end with a hole leading to the mold cavity, and

[0523] - Fill 3 with the bristles at the end of the hole in the root section and

[0524] - The assembled portion is placed as an insert into the mold cavity, spaced apart from the second cavity wall, with the wall portion contacting the root segment; and

[0525] The first covering molding material is the frame material (A) used to form the frame portion, and is injected into the mold cavity in step f).

[0526] 10) The method according to any one of clauses 5 to 9, wherein step a) is performed prior to steps b) and c).

[0527] 11) The method according to any one of clauses 5 to 10, wherein step d) includes a first further overmolding step, wherein the intermediate member and the provided portion are combined by overmolding.

[0528] 12) The method according to Clause 11, wherein the intermediate member is fused with the provided portion during the first further overlay molding step.

[0529] 13) The method according to any one of clauses 5 to 11, wherein in step d), the intermediate component is attached to the provided portion by an adhesive.

[0530] 14) The method according to any one of clauses 5 to 13, wherein in step d), the intermediate member is mechanically attached to the provided portion.

[0531] 15) The method according to any one of clauses 3 to 14, wherein the intermediate component includes a 3D male configuration or a female configuration that mates with a corresponding 3D female configuration and a male configuration of at least a portion of the provided portion, such that the intermediate component and the provided portion mate with each other in a male-female manner.

[0532] 16) The method according to any one of clauses 5 to 11, wherein in step a), the intermediate component is provided by spraying, for example by spraying the intermediate component onto the provided portion.

[0533] 17) The method according to any one of clauses 5 to 16, wherein the frame portion and the wall portion are fusible to each other when overmolded onto each other; wherein the intermediate member is an intermediate layer; wherein in the combined portion produced from step d), the provided portion is covered by the intermediate layer while leaving an exposed weld ring on the provided portion, and wherein in step f), the other of the wall portion and the frame portion is obtained by molding a layer onto the intermediate layer and onto the weld ring, thereby producing:

[0534] - A layered structure, wherein the intermediate layer is located between the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer, and

[0535] - An attachment ring, formed by fusing the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer at the weld ring, and 3 and

[0536] The intermediate layer (B) is configured to provide a separation layer, which separates the wall portion from the frame portion along the separation layer when a pressurized medium is introduced between the wall portion and the frame portion.

[0537] 18) The method according to Clause 17, wherein the intermediate layer has a first outer surface facing the provided portion and fused to or attached to the provided portion in step f), and wherein the laminate has a second outer surface facing away from the provided portion, the second outer surface being configured to resist fusion with the first overmolding material injected in step f).

[0538] 19) The method of at least Clause 7 as described in Clause 18, wherein the intermediate layer comprises or is made of polyamide (PA) or polyethylene (PE), wherein the frame portion (A) comprises or is made of polypropylene (PP), and wherein the wall portion (C) comprises or is made of thermoplastic polymer (TPE), such as styrene-ethylene / butene-styrene (SEBS).

[0539] 20) The method according to Clause 17, wherein the intermediate layer is a laminate comprising: a first surface bonded to the wall portion layer, a second surface bonded to the frame portion layer, and a weakening region between the first surface and the second surface, the weakening region providing a separation layer such that when the pressurized medium is introduced between the wall portion layer and the frame portion layer, the wall portion layer separates from the frame portion layer by delamination.

[0540] 21) The method according to any one of clauses 17 to 19, wherein the intermediate layer covering the provided portion has an exposed surface opposite to the provided portion, the exposed surface being configured to resist fusion with the first overmolding material injected in step f).

[0541] 22) The method according to Clause 21, wherein the intermediate layer covering the provided portion has a facing surface opposite to the exposed surface of the provided portion, the facing surface being configured to fuse with the provided portion due to the heat of the first overlay molding material injected in step f).

[0542] 23) The method of at least Clause 7 as described in Clause 21 or 22, wherein the intermediate layer (B) comprises or is made of polyamide (PA), wherein the wall portion (C) comprises or is made of thermoplastic polymer (TPE) such as styrene-ethylene / butene-styrene (SEBS), and wherein the frame portion (A) comprises or is made of thermoplastic polymer (TPE-PA) capable of bonding with polyamide.

[0543] 24) The method according to Clause 17, wherein the intermediate layer covering the provided portion has an exposed surface opposite to the provided portion, the exposed surface being configured to fuse with the first overmolding material injected in step f).

[0544] 25) The method according to Clause 24, wherein the intermediate layer covering the provided portion has a facing surface opposite to the exposed surface of the provided portion, the facing surface having a material configured to resist fusion with the provided portion due to the heat of the first overlay molding material injected in step f).

[0545] 26) The method of at least Clause 7 as described in Clause 25, wherein the intermediate layer (B) comprises or is made of polyamide (PA), wherein the wall portion (C) comprises or is made of thermoplastic polymer (TPE) such as styrene-ethylene / butene-styrene (SEBS), and wherein the frame portion (A) comprises or is made of polypropylene (PP).

[0546] 27) The method according to any one of clauses 5 to 8, wherein the frame portion and the wall portion are made of a material that resists or is configured to resist fusion with each other when overmolded onto each other; wherein the intermediate member is a beaded ring configured to fuse with the first overmolding material injected in step f); wherein in step d), the beaded ring is placed against the provided portion while leaving an exposed area of ​​the provided portion inside the beaded ring, wherein the first overmolding material injected in step f) is molded onto the beaded ring and onto the exposed area, thereby producing:

[0547] - A layered structure, wherein the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer are positioned abutting against each other, and

[0548] - The attachment ring is produced by fusing the first covering molding material with the bead ring in step f).

[0549] 28) The method according to Clause 27, wherein the bead ring is configured to fuse with the provided portion due to the heat of the first overmolding material injected in step f) or due to the heat of the bead ring itself when the bead ring is provided to the provided portion by a second further overmolding step.

[0550] 29) The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein in step b), a prefabricated frame portion is provided; wherein in step c), a prefabricated wall portion is provided; wherein the method further comprises step e) prior to step f): preparing the injection mold, wherein step e) includes placing the prefabricated frame portion and the prefabricated wall portion as inserts into the injection mold, wherein the frame portion and the wall portion are pressed against each other along the circumferential edge of the prefabricated wall portion; and wherein the first overmolding material injected in step f) is fused with the circumferential edge of the wall portion in step f) such that the circumferential edge of the wall portion becomes fixed relative to the frame portion to provide the attachment ring.

[0551] 30) The method according to Clause 29, wherein the inserts of the prefabricated frame portion and the prefabricated wall portion are layered structures, wherein portions of the wall portion layer pressed into contact with the circumferential edge of the frame portion layer loosely rest against the frame portion layer.

[0552] 31) The method according to clause 29 or 30, wherein the precast wall portion is provided along at least a portion of the circumferential edge, the circumferential edge being provided with a cut female portion configured to receive a mating male edge of the precast frame portion.

[0553] 32) The method according to one of clauses 29 to 31, wherein the opposite side of the frame portion away from the pressure chamber is covered by the first overmolding material (B) injected in step f), such that the injected first overmolding material (B) connects the opposite sides of the circumferential edge along the shortest line between the opposite sides of the circumferential edge.

[0554] 33) The method according to Clause 32, wherein the opposite sides of the frame portion are covered by injecting at least 80%, for example at least 90% or 100% of material (B).

[0555] 34) The method according to any one of clauses 29 to 33, wherein the first overlay molding material (B) is configured to be partially fused with the frame in step f).

[0556] 35) A pressure chamber manufactured using the method described in any one of clauses 1 to 34.

[0557] 36) The pressure chamber according to Clause 35, wherein the wall portion is provided with bristles protruding from the wall portion in a direction away from the frame portion.

[0558] 37) A brace for simultaneously caring for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in one or more pressure chambers, comprising at least one pressure chamber manufactured using the method described in any one of clauses 1 to 36.

[0559] 38) The dental brace according to Clause 37, wherein the dental brace has one or more slots configured to have a J-shaped or U-shaped curved length direction for surrounding a plurality of teeth of the dental arch.

[0560] 39) The dental brace as described in Clause 38, wherein the wall portion defines the wall of the slot.

[0561] 40) A brace as described in clause 38 or 39, wherein the groove includes a groove section aligned in the direction of the curvature.

[0562] 41) A brace according to any one of clauses 37 to 40, wherein the wall portion is provided with bristles projecting from the wall portion in a direction away from the frame portion.

[0563] 42) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 37 to 41, wherein the dental brace is provided with a pressure medium connector in fluid connection with the pressure chamber.

[0564] 43) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 37 to 42, wherein the dental brace has a handle connector.

[0565] 44) A system comprising a dental brace as described in any one of clauses 37 to 43, and a handle configured to be detachably attached to the dental brace, such as the handle connector attached to the dental brace.

[0566] 45) The system according to Clause 44, wherein the handle includes an actuator configured to alternately pressurize and depressurize one or more pressure chambers to move the bristles back and forth.

[0567] 46) A method of manufacturing a dental crown with a slot system for simultaneously caring for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in one or more pressure chambers, wherein the method comprises:

[0568] - The frame portion provides steps, wherein a plate-shaped frame portion is provided, the plate-shaped frame portion being defined by an elongated member having a set of side members projecting laterally from the elongated member at two or more spaced slot regions;

[0569] -Pressure chamber manufacturing steps, which include the following steps when the plate-shaped frame portion is in a thin-layer state:

[0570] - On one side of the plate-shaped frame portion, a flexible wall portion is provided at the groove region, and

[0571] - Attach the flexible wall portion in the groove region to the plate-shaped frame portion along one or more attachment rings to provide the groove region with one or more pressure chambers defined between each attachment ring, the frame portion, and the wall portion;

[0572] - A folding step, wherein the plate-shaped frame portion having the one or more pressure chambers is folded to a folded state, wherein in each slot region, an associated set of side members are folded around a folding axis parallel to the length direction of the elongated member to form a slot segment, wherein the one or more pressure chambers are on the hollow side of the slot segment and the slot segments are aligned to define the slot system.

[0573] 47) The method according to Clause 46, wherein the plate-shaped frame portion provided in the step of providing the frame portion has two, three, four or five slot regions, and the set of side members are disposed in the slot regions.

[0574] 48) The method according to any one of clauses 46 to 47, wherein the pressure chamber manufacturing step comprises the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 34.

[0575] 49) The method according to any one of clauses 46 to 48, wherein the method further comprises a bending step, wherein the elongated member is bent about a bending axis extending transversely to the length direction of the elongated member into the J-shaped or U-shaped configuration.

[0576] 50) The method according to Clause 49, wherein the bending step is performed before, simultaneously with, or after the folding step.

[0577] 51) The method according to any one of clauses 49 to 50, wherein each set of side members of the plate-shaped portion provided in the step of providing the frame portion includes a single flap attached to the side of the elongated member, the flap being generally parallel to the length direction of the elongated member;

[0578] In the folding step:

[0579] -A first folding axis is provided at the boundary between the elongated member and the single flap, and along the boundary, and

[0580] - Each of the individual flaps is provided with an additional folding axis, which is arranged at a certain distance from the first folding axis and extends in the same direction as the first folding axis.

[0581] 52) The method according to Clause 51, wherein the single flap is disposed on the same side of the elongated member.

[0582] 53) The method according to Clause 52, wherein the groove section of the obtained dental brace is arranged on the lingual side of the elongated member.

[0583] 54.) According to the method of Clause 51, wherein the plate-shaped portion presents one or more serrations in its thin-layer state, such that the folding axis is alternately arranged on one side of the elongated member and the other side of the elongated member, and the manufactured dental brace has an intermediate groove section having adjacent groove sections on both sides connected to the intermediate groove section by corresponding connectors, wherein the connectors are arranged on different sides of the bending length axis when viewed relative to the bending length axis of the J / U-shaped configuration.

[0584] 55) The method according to any one of clauses 49 to 54, wherein the bending portion provided in the bending step includes a movable hinge configured to provide a permanently flexible hinge, thereby allowing the curvature of the J-shaped or U-shaped configuration to adapt to the shape of the user's dental arch, and / or allowing the J-shaped or U-shaped configuration to conform to the user's dental arch when moving back and forth along the user's dental arch.

[0585] 56) The method according to any one of clauses 46 to 48, wherein the elongated member of the plate-shaped portion provided in the step of providing the frame portion has a J-shaped or U-shaped length direction, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side; wherein each set of side members of the plate-shaped frame portion provided in the step of providing the frame portion includes:

[0586] - A first side flap, which is attached to the first longitudinal side, and

[0587] - A second side flap, which is attached to the second longitudinal side;

[0588] In the folding step:

[0589] -A first folding axis is provided at the boundary between the elongated member and each of the first side flaps and along the boundary, and

[0590] - A second folding axis is provided at the boundary between the elongated member and each of the second side flaps and along the boundary.

[0591] 57) The method according to Clause 56, wherein a first longitudinal side of the elongated member of the plate-shaped portion provided in the step of providing the frame portion is provided with a first cutout, wherein a second longitudinal side of the elongated member of the plate-shaped portion provided in the step of providing the frame portion is provided with a second cutout opposite to the first cutout, wherein the first cutout and the second cutout are configured to provide a movable hinge between each pair of first cutouts and the opposite second cutout to provide a permanent flexible hinge, thereby allowing the curvature of the J-shaped or U-shaped length direction to adapt to the shape of the user's dental arch.

[0592] 58) The method according to any one of clauses 49 to 57, wherein the frame portion provides the step of providing two said plate-shaped frame portions, and wherein said plate-shaped frame portions are subjected to:

[0593] -The pressure chamber manufacturing steps.

[0594] -The folding step, and

[0595] -The bending step

[0596] After that, they attached themselves to each other.

[0597] 59) The method according to any one of clauses 46 to 58, wherein the flexible wall portion is provided with bristles protruding from the flexible wall in a direction away from the frame portion.

[0598] 60) The method according to any one of clauses 1 to 34 or 46 to 59, wherein the plate-shaped portion and / or the wall portion comprises or is made of plastic.

[0599] 61) The method according to any one of clauses 46 to 60, wherein the flexible wall portion profile is configured to unfold when the pressure chamber is pressurized.

[0600] 62) The method according to Clause 61, wherein the profile is further configured to fold when the pressure chamber is depressurized.

[0601] 63) The method according to any one of clauses 61 to 62, wherein the outline is provided before, during or after the pressure chamber manufacturing step.

[0602] 64) A dental brace obtained using the method described in any one of clauses 46 to 63.

[0603] 65) A system comprising a dental brace as described in Clause 64, and an actuator configured to alternately pressurize and depressurize a pressure chamber to move a care element, such as a bristle, back and forth.

[0604] 66) A J-shaped or U-shaped brace that, when traversing back and forth along a user's dental arch between a neutral position and an offset position, simultaneously brushes multiple dental positions, wherein, defined in the neutral position, the brace has a front end located at the central incisors of the user's dental arch and a rear end located at the posterior teeth of the user's dental arch; wherein the brace comprises:

[0605] - Includes a set of multiple groove sections for a brushing element, said set of groove sections:

[0606] -Arranged along the respective J-shaped and U-shaped bending length directions of the braces, and

[0607] - Configured to simultaneously receive and brush multiple anterior and posterior dental positions of the user's upper or lower dental arch;

[0608] - A flexible connector that joins the group of groove segments to a row of groove segments and is configured to:

[0609] - Allows the braces to traverse back and forth along the dental arch between the neutral position and the offset position, and

[0610] - As the braces move back and forth along the dental arch between the neutral position and the offset position, the braces conform to the dental arch;

[0611] as well as

[0612] - A handle connector, attached to the dental brace and configured to attach a handle so that the row of grooves traverses back and forth along the dental arch by applying a through force to the handle.

[0613] The handle connector is located at the front end of the brace and is configured to transmit the through force applied to the handle connector to the row of slot segments such that, when viewed in the through direction, all slot segments in front of the handle connector are advanced by pushing the handle connector, and when viewed in the through direction, all slot segments behind the handle connector are advanced by pulling the handle connector.

[0614] 67) The dental brace according to Clause 66, wherein the flexible connector is configured to provide a monorail slot section that can move back and forth along a monorail formed by the dental arch.

[0615] 68) A dental brace as described in any one of clauses 66 to 67, wherein the dental brace is made of one or more plastic materials.

[0616] 69) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 68, wherein the dental brace and / or flexible connector is configured to prevent the slot sections from locking relative to each other about a vertical axis when the handle connector pushes the slot section along the arch of the teeth.

[0617] 70) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 69, wherein the flexible connector between adjacent slot sections is configured such that when the rear end of the brace is held in place by the front end of the brace, it moves 1 cm from the neutral position toward the central axis of the dental arch, and the angular variation of the lingual sidewall and the facial sidewall relative to the vertical is at most 15°, for example, at most 10°, in the region of the second premolar.

[0618] 71) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 70, wherein the dental brace and / or flexible connector is configured such that when the handle connector moves a distance of X cm along the dental arch from the neutral position, the one or both rear ends move a distance of at least Y cm along the dental arch in the same direction as the handle connector, wherein Y is at least 70% of X, for example at least 80% or at least 90% of X, and wherein X is in the range of 1 to 2 cm, for example about 1 cm.

[0619] 72) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 71, wherein the dental brace comprises two sets of the plurality of slot sections, a first set for the upper dental arch and a second set for the lower dental arch.

[0620] 73) A brace according to one of the claims in Clause 72, wherein the brace is a U-shaped brace; wherein the brace has a resistance F against widening of the curve in the bending length direction. AW The resistance F AW The resistance is at least 0.6N, for example at least 1.2N; wherein the resistance F AW Defined as a force acting at the following locations:

[0621] - The tangent parallel to the bending length direction at the front end of the brace.

[0622] - At point Q, located 30 mm from the front end of the brace when viewed transversely along the tangent, and

[0623] -In the outward direction of the braces,

[0624] So that when the handle connector remains immovable, point Q is shifted 10mm parallel to the tangent.

[0625] 74) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 72 to 73, wherein the dental brace is a U-shaped dental brace; wherein the dental brace has a resistance F against narrowing of the curve in the bending length direction.AN The resistance F AN The resistance F is at least 2N, for example at least 2.4N. AN Defined as a force acting at the following locations:

[0626] - The tangent parallel to the bending length direction at the front end of the brace.

[0627] - At point P, located 30 mm from the front end of the brace when viewed transversely along the tangent, and

[0628] -In the inward direction of the braces,

[0629] So that when the handle connector remains immovable, the point P is shifted 10mm parallel to the tangent.

[0630] 75) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 74, wherein the dental brace and / or flexible connector are configured such that when the groove section is offset 1 cm to the right or left of the neutral position, the brushing pressure applied by the dental brace to the molar is at most 3 Newtons / cm without activating the brushing element. 2 For example, at most 2 Newtons / cm 2 .

[0631] 76) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 72 to 75, wherein the dental brace is a U-shaped dental brace; wherein the dental brace has a resistance F against widening of the curve in the bending length direction. AW The resistance F AW The resistance is at most 3N, for example, at most 2.2N; wherein the resistance F AW Defined as a force acting at the following locations:

[0632] - The tangent parallel to the bending length direction at the front end of the brace.

[0633] - At point Q, located 30 mm from the front end of the brace when viewed transversely along the tangent, and

[0634] -In the outward direction of the braces,

[0635] So that when the handle connector remains immovable, point Q is shifted 10mm parallel to the tangent.

[0636] 77) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 72 to 76, wherein the dental brace is a U-shaped dental brace 3, wherein the dental brace has a resistance F against narrowing of the curve in the bending length direction. AN The resistance F AN The resistance F is at most 4N, for example, at most 3.3N.AN Defined as a force acting at the following locations:

[0637] - The tangent parallel to the bending length direction at the front end of the brace.

[0638] - At point P, located 30 mm from the front end of the brace when viewed transversely along the tangent, and

[0639] -In the inward direction of the braces,

[0640] So that when the handle connector remains immovable, the point P is shifted 10mm parallel to the tangent.

[0641] 78) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 72 to 77, wherein the dental brace is a U-shaped dental brace, wherein when this dental brace is placed between the upper and lower halves of a basic AG-3 model (with 32 teeth) from frasaco GmbH and the halves are pressed together with a force of 5 N, the following forces are applied:

[0642] - A force is applied to the handle connector in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the toothed arch of the AG-3 model, and

[0643] - The force required to move the braces 1 cm from a neutral position along the dental arch of the AG-3 model.

[0644] The maximum is 20 Newtons, for example, up to 17.5 Newtons or up to 15 Newtons.

[0645] 79) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 78, wherein the length of the brace when viewed along the dental arch is such that the second molar is outside the brace in the neutral position, and wherein the brace is configured to traverse back and forth along the dental arch from the neutral position to (and including) the position of the wisdom tooth.

[0646] 80) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 79, wherein the length of the brace when viewed along the dental arch is such that the first molar is outside the brace in the neutral position, and wherein the brace is configured to traverse back and forth along the dental arch from the neutral position to (and including) the position of the wisdom tooth.

[0647] 81) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 80, wherein the length of the brace when viewed along the dental arch is such that the first molar is outside the brace in the neutral position, and wherein the brace is configured to traverse back and forth along the dental arch from the neutral position to (and including) the position of the second molar.

[0648] 82) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 81, wherein the slot section located at least partially in the anterior portion when in the neutral position has a receiving slot configured to surround at least one tooth and defined by a facial wall portion and a lingual wall portion, and wherein the length of the lingual wall portion is shorter than the length of the facial wall portion when viewed in the curvature direction.

[0649] 83) The braces according to clause 82, wherein the length of the tongue wall portion when viewed in the curvature direction is at most 75% of the length of the facial wall portion.

[0650] 81) A brace attached to clause 74 according to any one of clauses 63 to 80, wherein the brace is configured such that, when traversing back and forth along the dental arch, the first set experiences a first contact with the upper dental arch and the second set experiences a second contact with the lower dental arch, the second contact being different from the first contact.

[0651] 85) The braces according to Clause 84, wherein at least one slot segment of the first group is connected to an adjacent slot segment of the second group by a flexible connection, such as a pin joint, when viewed in the vertical direction, the flexible connection being configured to allow the segments connected by the flexible connection to move relative to each other in a horizontal direction transverse to the dental arch.

[0652] 86) The braces according to clause 85, wherein the slotted section connected by the connection is arranged in the rear portion of the braces in the neutral position.

[0653] 87) A brace according to any one of clauses 84 to 86, wherein the attachment attaches the first group to the central section of the second group at the front end.

[0654] 88) The dental braces as described in Clause 87, wherein the attachment is a flexible attachment configured to allow the first and second sets to rotate relative to each other about a vertical axis at the attachment.

[0655] 89) The dental braces according to clause 87 or 88, wherein the attachment is configured to prevent the first group and the second group from translating relative to each other at the attachment.

[0656] 90) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 89, wherein each of the slot sections has a receiving slot defined along its length by a facial wall portion on the facial side in the curvature direction and a lingual wall portion on the lingual side in the curvature direction, and bristles protruding from the facial wall portion and the lingual wall portion into the slot.

[0657] 91) The braces according to Clause 90, wherein the facial wall portion and the lingual wall portion include pressure chambers, the pressure chambers being configured to allow the bristles of the facial wall portion and the lingual wall portion to move back and forth in the receiving slots by alternately pressurizing and depressurizing the pressure chambers.

[0658] 92) The braces according to Clause 91, wherein the pressure chambers of the facial wall portion and the tongue wall portion have been created using the method described in any one of Clauses 1 to 34.

[0659] 93) The braces according to any one of clauses 66 to 92, wherein the plurality of slotted sections of the group comprises at least two slotted sections, such as three, four or five slotted sections.

[0660] 94) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 93, wherein the flexible connector defines a vertical axis of rotation, and adjacent slot sections engaged by the respective connector are rotatable relative to each other about the vertical axis of rotation.

[0661] 95) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 94, wherein the flexible connector is disposed on the facial side of the curved length axis, for example, on the facial side of the groove segment.

[0662] 96) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 95, wherein, when viewed along the curvature length direction, the flexible connector at one end of the groove section is arranged on the facial side in the curvature length direction, and the flexible connector at the end opposite to said one end is arranged on the lingual side in the curvature length direction.

[0663] 97) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 96, wherein the sidewalls of the groove segment at the rear end of the brace are configured to be flexible relative to the remainder of the sidewalls of the groove segment when at the rear end of the brace, so as to allow the ends of these sidewalls to spread out to conform to the widening of the mandible at the wisdom tooth.

[0664] 98) A brace as described in any one of clauses 66 to 97, wherein the brace is a U-shaped brace.

[0665] 99) A dental brace as described in any one of clauses 66 to 98, wherein the dental brace is a dental brace as described in any one of clauses 37 to 43.

[0666] 100) A dental brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 99, wherein the dental brace has been manufactured using the method described in any one of clauses 46 to 63.

[0667] 101) The dental brace as described in any one of clauses 66 to 100, wherein the dental brace is the dental brace as described in clause 64.

[0668] 102) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 101, wherein each of the slot sections has a receiving slot configured to surround at least one tooth or at least two teeth.

[0669] 103) The dental brace according to Clause 102, wherein the groove section has bristles protruding into the groove for brushing teeth.

[0670] 104) A brace according to any one of clauses 66 to 103, wherein the last slot section has a slot bottom and a movable bottom portion is provided at the rear end of the brace, wherein the movable bottom portion is provided with a brushing element—such as bristles—projecting laterally from the bottom portion into the slot of the last slot section, wherein the movable bottom portion is rotatable about a rotation axis between a retracted position in which the movable bottom portion is positioned along the slot bottom and an upright position in which the movable bottom portion is inclined relative to the slot bottom.

[0671] 105) A J-shaped or U-shaped brace comprising an upper groove system and / or a lower groove system, wherein the upper groove system and / or lower groove system are wherein the J / U-shaped brace is flexible to allow the brace to pass along the dental arch while the teeth are surrounded by the upper groove system and / or the lower groove system; wherein the bottom of the groove is provided with a movable bottom portion disposed at the rear end of the brace; wherein the movable bottom portion is provided with a brushing element—such as bristles—protruding laterally from the bottom portion into the groove, wherein the movable bottom portion is rotatable about a rotation axis between a retracted position in which the movable bottom portion is positioned along the bottom of the groove and an upright position in which the movable bottom portion is inclined relative to the bottom of the groove.

[0672] 106) The braces according to clause 104 or 105, wherein the braces are provided with a tensioning system configured to offset the movable bottom portion from the retracted position toward the upright position during use of the braces.

[0673] 107) A system comprising: a dental brace as described in any one of clauses 66 to 106, and a handle configured for detachably attaching to the handle connector.

[0674] 108) The system according to Clause 107, wherein the handle includes a driver configured to drive the bristles in the slot of the slot section to move back and forth in the slot.

[0675] 109) The system according to Clause 108, wherein the drive includes a pump and is configured to alternately pressurize and depressurize one or more pressure chambers.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a pressure chamber for a dental brace, the dental brace being used for Simultaneous care of multiple dental locations by increasing and decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber, wherein the method includes: -Step b): Provide the frame portion of the brace's frame in the injection mold. -Step c): Provide a wall portion of the flexible wall of the dental brace in the injection mold. -Step f): Overmolding, wherein a first overmolding material is injected into the injection mold to attach the wall portion and the frame portion to each other along the attachment ring, such that the attachment ring, a portion of the wall portion surrounded by the attachment ring, and a portion of the frame portion surrounded by the attachment ring define a pressure chamber. - Step g): Allow the constructed pressure chamber to solidify and remove it from the injection mold, thereby manufacturing the pressure chamber having a frame portion and a flexible wall portion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wall portion is stretchable.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the following step: The frame portions and the wall portions are arranged in a layered manner along each other to obtain a layered structure with frame portion layers and wall portion layers that are parallel to each other.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprises the following step: A pressurized medium is introduced into the region between the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer to separate the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer, the region being surrounded by the attachment ring.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprises step a): providing an intermediate component; One of steps b) and c) is performed before step f), thereby producing the provided portion; The method further includes step d) in step f): combining the provided portion and the intermediate member to obtain a combined portion, wherein the intermediate member is positive or negative, for pre-defining the position of the attachment ring to be obtained after step d); and The other of steps b) and c) is performed in step f), providing the other of the wall portion and the frame portion respectively, and obtaining the layered structure and the attachment ring by molding it onto the combined portion.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein in step d), the intermediate member is attached to the provided portion.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein step b) is performed prior to step f) to produce the provided portion as part of the frame, and wherein step c) is performed in step f).

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises step e) prior to step f): preparing the injection mold such that it has a cavity defined by a first cavity wall and a second cavity wall opposite to and spaced apart from the first cavity wall, wherein step e) comprises: - A hole is provided in the first cavity wall, the hole being: -Has an end with a hole leading to the mold cavity, and - Fill with brush bristles at the end of the hole where the root section is located; as well as - The combined portion is placed into the mold cavity as an insert, spaced apart from the first cavity wall and the frame portion abuts against the second cavity wall; The first covering molding material is a wall material (C) used to form the wall portion, and is injected into the mold cavity in step f) such that the root segment of the bristles is integral with the wall portion (C).

9. The method of claim 5, wherein step c) is performed prior to step f) to produce the provided portion as the wall portion; The method further includes step e) prior to step f): preparing the injection mold such that it has a mold cavity defined by a first cavity wall and a second cavity wall opposite to and spaced apart from the first cavity wall; The step e) mentioned above includes: - A hole is provided in the first cavity wall, the hole being: -Has an end with a hole leading to the mold cavity, and - Fill with brush bristles at the root section located at the end of the hole; and - The combined portion is placed as an insert into the mold cavity, spaced apart from the second cavity wall and the wall portion contacts the root section; The first covering molding material is the frame material (A) used to form the frame portion, and is injected into the mold cavity in step f).

10. The method of claim 5, wherein step a) is performed prior to steps b) and c).

11. The method of claim 5, wherein step d) comprises a first further overmolding step, wherein the intermediate member and the provided portion are combined by overmolding.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the intermediate member is fused with the provided portion during the first further overmolding step.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein in step d), the intermediate member is attached to the provided portion by an adhesive.

14. The method of claim 5, wherein in step d), the intermediate member is mechanically attached to the provided portion.

15. The method of claim 5, wherein the intermediate component comprises a 3D male configuration or a female configuration, which mates with at least a portion of the provided portion corresponding to a 3D female configuration and a male configuration, respectively, such that the intermediate component and the provided portion mate with each other in a male-female manner.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein in step a), the intermediate component is provided by spraying.

17. The method of claim 5, wherein the frame portion and the wall portion are fusible to each other when overmolded onto each other; The intermediate component mentioned above is an intermediate layer; In the combined portion produced from step d), the provided portion is covered by the intermediate layer, while leaving an exposed weld ring on the provided portion, and In step f), by molding a layer onto the intermediate layer and onto the weld ring, the following are produced, thereby obtaining the other of the wall portion and the frame portion: - A layered structure, wherein the intermediate layer is located between the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer, and - An attachment ring is formed by fusing the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer at the weld ring; and The intermediate layer (B) is configured to provide a separation layer, which separates the wall portion from the frame portion along the separation layer when a pressurized medium is introduced between the wall portion and the frame portion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the intermediate layer has a first outer surface facing the provided portion and fused to or attached to the provided portion in step f), and wherein the laminate has a second outer surface facing away from the provided portion, the second outer surface being configured to resist fusion with the first overmolding material injected in step f).

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the intermediate layer comprises or is made of polyamide (PA) or polyethylene (PE), wherein the frame portion (A) comprises or is made of polypropylene (PP), and wherein the wall portion (C) comprises or is made of thermoplastic polymer (TPE).

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the intermediate layer is a layered compound, the layered compound comprising: The wall portion is bonded to a first surface, to a second surface, and to a weakened region between the first and second surfaces, the weakened region providing a separation layer such that when the pressurized medium is introduced between the wall portion and the frame portion, the wall portion separates from the frame portion by delamination.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the intermediate layer covering the provided portion has an exposed surface facing away from the provided portion, the exposed surface being configured to resist fusion with the first overmolding material injected in step f).

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the intermediate layer covering the provided portion has a facing surface opposite to the exposed surface of the provided portion, the facing surface being configured to fuse with the provided portion due to the heat of the first overmolding material injected in step f).

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the intermediate layer (B) comprises or is made of polyamide (PA), wherein the wall portion (C) comprises or is made of thermoplastic polymer (TPE), and wherein the frame portion (A) comprises or is made of thermoplastic polymer (TPE-PA) capable of bonding with polyamide.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the intermediate layer covering the provided portion has an exposed surface facing away from the provided portion, the exposed surface being configured to fuse with the first overmolding material injected in step f).

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the intermediate layer covering the provided portion has a facing surface opposite to the exposed surface of the provided portion, the facing surface having a material configured to resist fusion with the provided portion due to heat from the first overlay molding material injected in step f).

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the intermediate layer (B) comprises or is made of polyamide (PA), wherein the wall portion (C) comprises or is made of thermoplastic polymer (TPE), and wherein the frame portion (A) comprises or is made of polypropylene (PP).

27. The method according to claim 5, The frame portion and the wall portion are made of a material that resists or is configured to resist fusion with each other when overmolded onto each other; The intermediate component is a bead ring, which is configured to fuse with the first overmolding material injected in step f). In step d), the beaded ring is placed against the provided portion, while leaving an exposed area of ​​the provided portion inside the beaded ring. In step f), the first coating molding material injected is molded onto the bead ring and onto the exposed area, thereby producing: - A layered structure, wherein the frame portion layer and the wall portion layer are positioned abutting against each other, and - The attachment ring is produced by fusing the first covering molding material with the bead ring in step f).

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the bead ring is configured to fuse with the provided portion due to the heat of the first overmolding material injected in step f) or due to the heat of the bead ring itself when it is provided to the provided portion by a second further overmolding step.

29. The method according to claim 1, In step b), a prefabricated frame portion is provided; In step c), a precast wall portion is provided; The method further includes step e) prior to step f): preparing the injection mold. Step e) includes placing the prefabricated frame portion and the prefabricated wall portion as inserts into the injection mold, wherein the frame portion and the wall portion are pressed against each other along the circumferential edge of the prefabricated wall portion; and The first overlay molding material injected in step f) is fused to the circumferential edge of the wall portion in step f), such that the circumferential edge of the wall portion becomes fixed relative to the frame portion to provide the attachment ring.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the inserts of the prefabricated frame portion and the prefabricated wall portion are layered structures, wherein portions of the wall portion layer pressed into contact with the circumferential edge of the frame portion layer loosely rest against the frame portion layer.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the precast wall portion extends along at least a portion of the circumferential edge, the circumferential edge being provided with a cut female portion configured to receive a mating male edge of the precast frame portion.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the opposite side of the frame portion away from the pressure chamber is covered by the first overmolding material (B) injected in step f), such that the injected first overmolding material (B) connects the opposite sides of the circumferential edge along the shortest line between the opposite sides of the circumferential edge.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the opposite sides of the frame portion are covered by injecting at least 80% of the material (B).

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the first overlay molding material (B) is configured to be partially fused with the frame in step f).

35. A pressure chamber manufactured using the method of claim 1, wherein the attachment ring is a continuous ring of the first covering molding material, molded to surround and overlap the entire circumferential edges of the wall portion and the entire circumferential edges of the frame portion, sealingly engaging the wall portion and the frame portion on two opposing axial planes and on the radially inner and outer surfaces of the wall portion and the frame portion.

36. The pressure chamber of claim 35, wherein the wall portion is provided with bristles projecting from the wall portion in a direction away from the frame portion.

37. A brace for simultaneously caring for multiple dental positions by increasing and decreasing pressure in one or more pressure chambers, comprising at least one pressure chamber of a brace manufactured using the method of any one of claims 1 to 34, or at least one pressure chamber as claimed in claim 35 or 36.

38. The dental brace of claim 37, wherein the dental brace has one or more slots configured to have a J-shaped or U-shaped curved length direction for surrounding a plurality of teeth of the dental arch.

39. The dental brace of claim 38, wherein the wall portion defines the wall of the groove.

40. The dental brace of claim 38, wherein the groove includes a groove section aligned in the bending length direction.

41. The braces of claim 37, wherein the wall portion is provided with bristles projecting from the wall portion in a direction away from the frame portion.

42. The dental brace of claim 37, wherein the dental brace is provided with a pressure medium connector in fluid connection with the pressure chamber.

43. The dental brace of claim 37, wherein the dental brace is provided with a handle connector.

44. A system comprising a dental brace as claimed in claim 37 and a handle configured to be detachably attached to the dental brace.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the handle includes a driver configured to alternately pressurize and depressurize one or more pressure chambers to move the bristles back and forth.

Images