US2007190478A1PendingUtilityA1

Advanced thermoplastics for orthodontics

53
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Jul 3, 2002Filed: Jan 22, 2007Published: Aug 16, 2007
Est. expiryJul 3, 2022(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Artie J. GoldbergCharles J. Burstone
A61C 7/14A61K 6/887A61C 7/28A61C 7/20C08L 71/00C08G 2650/40
53
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Claims

Abstract

An orthodontic appliance including at least one orthodontic component comprising a thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments the thermoplastic polymer is a rigid backbone polymer including at least one of a compatibilizing side group or a solubilizing side group. The thermoplastic polymer may be heat processed to form the orthodontic component.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method of forming an orthodontic component or an orthodontic component precursor, comprising: 
 providing a thermoplastic material at least partially comprising a first arylene or heteroarylene moiety joined to a second arylene or heteroarylene moiety by a covalent bond between adjoining ring carbon atoms of the arylene or heteroarylene moieties;    heating the thermoplastic material; and    processing the heated thermoplastic material to form the orthodontic component or the orthodontic component precursor.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the covalent bond is a 1,4 covalent bond.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a plurality of covalent bonds and wherein at least about 95% of the covalent bonds are substantially parallel to each other.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises at least one of a compatibilizing side group or a solubilizing side group.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises the following structure:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises the following structure:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and n is an integer from 2 to about 8.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic component comprises an orthodontic force delivery component.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processing step comprises thermal processing the heated material to provide the orthodontic component having a different cross section at different points along its length.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a reinforcing agent.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material consists essentially of a mixture of thermoplastic rigid backbone polymers.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of heating and processing the orthodontic component precursor a second time to form the orthodontic component.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of heating and processing the orthodontic component a second time to modify the orthodontic component shape.  
   
   
       13 . A method of providing an orthodontic force system, comprising: 
 providing a bracket having a slot with a slot shape;    mounting the bracket to a tooth in need of orthodontic movement;    providing a first force delivery component comprising a thermoplastic material at least partially comprising a first arylene or heteroarylene moiety joined to a second arylene or heteroarylene moiety by a covalent bond between adjoining ring carbon atoms of the arylene or heteroarylene moieties, the first force delivery component having a first cross sectional shape providing a good fit with the bracket slot;    providing a second force delivery component comprising a second cross sectional shape different than the first cross sectional shape and having a good fit with the bracket slot; and    interengaging one of the first force delivery component or the second force delivery component in the bracket slot to provide a first orthodontic force system;    interengaging the other of the first force delivery component or the second force delivery component in the bracket slot to provide a second orthodontic force system.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the covalent bond is a 1,4 covalent bond.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a plurality of covalent bonds and wherein at least about 95% of the covalent bonds are substantially parallel to each other.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises at least one of a compatibilizing side group or a solubilizing side group.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises the following structure:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises the following structure:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and n is an integer from 2 to about 8.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the flexural strength and modulus properties of the orthodontic component are isotropic.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a reinforcing agent.

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