Rigid Polyamide PEBA Dental Aligner Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental aligners made from 100% PA films and rigid TPU films are difficult to process, prone to cracking, and can cause discomfort due to stiffness, leading to inefficiencies in tooth movement and wearer discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A dental aligner composition comprising a monolayer of rigid polyamide blended with elastomeric polyether block amide (PEBA) copolymer, which improves elasticity, tear strength, and comfort while maintaining high initial force and stress-relaxation properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If 100% PA films and rigid TPU films are used for dental aligners, then high initial force and stress-relaxation properties are achieved, but the material is difficult to process, prone to cracking, and causes discomfort due to stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by blending rigid polyamide (PA) with elastomeric polyether block amide (PEBA) copolymer. This creates a composite material that combines the high strength and stress-relaxation properties of rigid PA with the elasticity and crack resistance of PEBA, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by modifying the polymer composition from 100% rigid PA to a blended system containing PEBA. This parameter change alters the material's physical properties, reducing stiffness and cracking susceptibility while maintaining necessary mechanical strength for orthodontic applications.
2Strength
If 100% PA films and rigid TPU films are used for dental aligners, then high initial force is achieved, but wearer discomfort occurs due to stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The blended composite of rigid PA and elastomeric PEBA creates a material with balanced mechanical properties. The PEBA component provides elasticity and comfort for wearer ease of operation, while the PA component maintains the necessary initial force for effective tooth movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by having different polymer phases within the blended material serve different functions. The rigid PA regions provide structural strength and initial force, while the elastomeric PEBA regions provide flexibility and comfort where the material contacts the teeth and gums.
3Ease of manufacture
If blended material is used to improve elasticity and reduce cracking, then ease of manufacture is improved, but material composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While composite materials inherently increase composition complexity, the patent resolves this by selecting two compatible polymers (PA and PEBA) that can be blended in a straightforward manner. The resulting composite provides superior ease of manufacture through reduced cracking during thermoforming, with the complexity managed through careful polymer selection and blending ratios.
Data Source
AI summary
A dental aligner includes a framework made of a monolayer of a rigid polyamide blended with elastomeric polyether block amide copolymer.