Abstract:
A procedure for facilitating osseous growth, particularly in dental surgery and in maxillofacial surgery, and device for implementing this procedure is disclosed. The device includes an elastic member which is interposed between bone surface and a membrane arranged beneath tissues overlying the bone surface. The elastic member is capable of lifting the membrane a slight distance with a controlled amount of pressure. In the procedure, the elastic member is held temporarily, until scarring has taken place, in a state in which the elastic device presents a minimum thickness between the osseous surface and the membrane and the elastic device does not exert any appreciable stress on the latter.
Abstract:
An orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket body with a mesial distal extending arch wire slot and a ligating latch spring member having the form of a thin flat metal strip. The spring member comprises along its length, in the order stated, an anchor portion anchored in the bracket body, a flexing portion in which the majority of the flexing takes place, a ligating portion that closes the slot mouth and engages any arch wire therein, and a latching portion by which the spring member is latched to the bracket body. The spring member may comprise a biasing portion between the flexing and ligating portions at the slot occlusal surface, or between the ligating and latching portions at the slot gingival surface, this biasing portion being convex toward the slot lingual wall and protruding into the slot to press the arch wire into the respective slot wall junction for more precise control. The bracket body may be made as two mirror image parts which are laser welded together and between which the spring member is mounted. The latches between the spring member and the bracket body may comprise notches in the spring edges that are engaged by latch sears on the body, and two labially lingually spaced sears may be provided. Preferably the spring member is made of a nickel titanium shape memory alloy. The bracket body may have two pairs of tie wings for reception of an external ligature between which the spring member is disposed.
Abstract:
Thermoplastic molding compositions are made from a mixture of thermoplastic material (for example, polycaprolactone), a free-radically polymerizable resin (for example, a urethane diacrylate oligomer), and free-radical initiator (for example, a visible-light cure photoinitiator). The mixture is solid at 38.degree. C., has a melting or softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, and can be imprinted with a heat-stable custom shape memory and semi-thermoplastic properties by shaping the composition to a desired shape and then causing or permitting the resin to undergo polymerization.
Abstract:
An orthodontic arch wire, comprising a continuous wire having a generally parabolic shape defining a principal plane, the wire having a bend extending substantially in the principal plane, the bend being located approximately midway along a length of the wire, and an orthodontic appliance employing the wire.
Abstract:
Medical devices which are currently proposed to use elements made form shape memory alloys may be improved by the use of stress-induced martensite alloy elements instead. The use of stress-induced martensite decreases the temperature sensitivity of the devices, thereby making them easier to install and/or remove.
Abstract:
A removable orthodontic palatal expansion arch having a generally "M"-shaped configuration, the arch having a center segment composed of a near-stoichiometric alloy of nickel and titanium which possesses memory-retaining characteristics to simultaneously expand the bicuspids and expand, rotate, intrude and/or torque the maxillary molars, and end segments composed of an alloy of stainless steel or another biocompatible material configured for securing the archwire to lingual sheaths attached to molar bands.
Abstract:
A device for obtaining the fitting of a matrix to a tooth to be filled comprises matrix (5) and wedge (4) or its attachment part (7) made of resin "with memory that is deformable by illumination". The device is made such that when it is illuminated it deforms and pushes matrix (5) to precisely occupy the radicular recess of the tooth to be filled, while when it is not illuminated it again assumes its normal shape. Thus, one obtains a perfect filling that perfectly fits the shape of the tooth.
Abstract:
A preloaded impression tray (5a), comprising a thermoplastic impression material (7) at least partially enveloped by a shell (1a), the thermoplastic impression material being a plasticized solid and having:(i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues,(ii) sufficient depth in the shell and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and(iii) sufficient strength and flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion.
Abstract:
An artificial dental root having the function of a natural dental root is characterized in that the artificial dental root is made a shape-memorizing alloy capable of changing the apex morphology of the artificial dental root after implantation so as to stay in the jawbone. The artificial dental root is implanted in an alveolus and the apexes thereof then closely contact the inner surface of the alveolus owing to the shape-memorizing effect thereof to fix the dental root firmly in the alveolus.
Abstract:
A process for straightening teeth using super-elastic NiTi arch wires of the same diameter but having different recovery forces is carried out by using NiTi wires that have a transition temperature below body temperature with brackets on the teeth. The different recovery force is set for each wire by heat treating the wires at different temperatures and/or for different periods of time. In this manner the forces applied to the teeth can be changed while still using arch wires of the same diameter.