Partially Hardened Orthodontic Adhesive Contouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic bonding techniques, both direct and indirect, face challenges in achieving reliable and strong bonds between orthodontic appliances and tooth structures due to uneven deformation of adhesives and custom bases that may not accurately replicate the tooth surface contours.
Innovation Solution
The use of a partially hardened hardenable composition on orthodontic appliances, which is partially hardened before application to match the tooth structure contour, ensuring a secure and accurate bond through a custom base that closely matches the tooth surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct bonding technique is used with adhesive coating on bracket base, then the bracket can be placed directly on tooth surface, but the adhesive does not have a contour that is a negative replica of the tooth surface leading to uneven deformation and weakened bond
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is pre-formed into a negative replica contour of the tooth surface before the bracket is placed on the tooth. This preliminary shaping ensures that when the bracket is applied, the adhesive already has the correct geometry to create a strong, uniform bond, eliminating the need for post-placement contouring and ensuring reliable adhesion from the start.
2Ease of manufacture
If indirect bonding technique is used with fully hardened adhesive as custom base, then the adhesive can serve as a custom base for bonding, but the custom base may not accurately replicate the tooth surface contours leading to weakened bond
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is partially hardened to a specific degree before being formed into the custom base contour, rather than fully hardening it. This partial hardening state allows the adhesive to be shaped with greater precision into a negative replica of the tooth surface, and the remaining soft portion can be easily contoured to match the tooth anatomy accurately before final bonding.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive is fully hardened before placement on tooth, then the adhesive structure is stable, but the adhesive cannot be deformed to match the tooth surface contour accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is partially hardened in advance to create a stable yet workable structure that can be contoured. This preliminary partial hardening provides enough structural integrity to maintain the adhesive's shape during handling, while leaving it soft enough to be deformed into the precise negative replica contour of the tooth surface before final placement.
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
This approach enhances the reliability and strength of the bond between the appliance and the tooth, reducing the likelihood of bond failure and improving the accuracy of orthodontic treatments by maintaining the adhesive's shape and contour during application.
Implementation Method 1
The hardenable composition is partially hardened by exposure to actinic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic article is provided for bonding to a tooth structure comprising an orthodontic appliance, a layer of partially hardened hardenable composition adjacent the appliance, and a bonding adhesive adjacent the partially hardened hardenable composition. A method of making an orthodontic article for orthodontic bonding is provided, comprising partially hardening a hardenable composition adjacent the base of an orthodontic appliance.