Nitinol Dental Retainer Laser Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retainers face challenges in precision adaptation to individual tooth contours, leading to poor durability, increased risk of deformation, and reduced alveolar bone stimulation due to interlocking effects, which restricts natural tooth mobility and can result in bone degeneration.
Innovation Solution
A retainer made from a nickel-titanium alloy with shape memory properties, machined to closely follow tooth contours, allowing for pseudo-elastic behavior that prevents permanent deformation and promotes natural tooth movement while maintaining stability, thereby reducing interlocking effects and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If retainers are manually bent to adapt to tooth contours, then the retainer can be produced, but the precision of adaptation is limited and distance from tooth surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical bending with a laser-based manufacturing process. The laser melts and vaporizes metal sheet material to create the retainer shape, eliminating the need for manual bending operations and achieving superior precision in adapting to tooth contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from mechanical deformation to thermal processing. By using laser energy to melt and vaporize material, the process achieves precise geometric control and better adaptation to tooth surfaces compared to traditional bending methods.
2Reliability
If larger adhesive bond is used to close the gap between retainer and tooth, then the retainer can be fixed, but the attack surface increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses laser energy (a form of electromagnetic radiation) to melt and vaporize metal material, creating precise retainer geometry that minimizes gaps. This eliminates the need for large adhesive bonds and reduces the attack surface area exposed to oral forces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If retainer is firmly connected to teeth, then tooth position is fixed, but natural tooth mobility is restricted and alveolar bone stimulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local adaptation zones where the retainer closely follows tooth contours in specific areas while maintaining appropriate flexibility. The laser-produced precision geometry allows the retainer to be firm where needed for stability but flexible enough to permit natural tooth movement and bone stimulation.
4Strength
If retainer is made from traditional metal, then it provides structural support, but it is susceptible to permanent deformation from accidental bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a metal sheet material that combines structural strength with resistance to permanent deformation. The laser manufacturing process creates precise geometric features that enhance the material's ability to withstand accidental bending without permanent deformation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The retainer achieves precise adaptation to tooth contours, prevents accidental activation, allows for natural tooth mobility, and reduces the risk of deformation-induced fractures, maintaining alveolar bone stimulation and improving wearing comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The retainer is made from a nickel titanium alloy with shape memory properties, allowing for pseudo-elastic behavior that prevents permanent deformation
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the front side and the back side of the retainer corresponds to a respective cut made into the sheet metal plate, in particular by means of a laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer cooperating with a plurality of teeth and configured to stabilize the plurality of teeth, the retainer including at least one elongated arc which is shaped overall adapted to a natural curvature of a lower jaw or an upper jaw, wherein the at least one elongated arc is locally adapted individually to a surface contour of respective abutting teeth, wherein the retainer is machined from a sheet metal plate and includes two mutually parallel surfaces, wherein the sheet metal plate is made from a nickel titanium alloy, preferably a nitinol, wherein the retainer contacts a tooth surface in an installed condition of the retainer, wherein a machined surface of the retainer faces the tooth surface in the installed condition of the retainer, and wherein an upper side or a lower side of the retainer corresponds to an original surface plane of the sheet metal plate.