Orthodontic appliance system
First Claim
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1. In an orthodontic appliance system for applying corrective forces to the teeth of a patient, the improvement wherein a force delivery component of the system is formed from a fiber reinforced composite material comprising a polymeric matrix and at least 5% by weight of reinforcing fibers embedded in the matrix, said composite material having a modulus of elasticity below 30×
- 106 psi and a preselected ratio of Yield strength to modulus of elasticity within the range from a level comparable to that of 18-8 stainless steel up to at least 300 percent that of such stainless steel whereby more constant force levels can be applied with time and a continuous range of stiffness is achieved, said composite material having a higher maximum elastic deflection than said stainless steel and an ability to provide complex orthodontic configurations so as to enhance the ease and accuracy of force delivery.
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Abstract
A force imparting orthodontic appliance system is provided wherein the components thereof are formed from fiber reinforced composite material comprising a polymeric matrix and at least five percent of a reinforcing fiber embedded in the matrix.
143 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In an orthodontic appliance system for applying corrective forces to the teeth of a patient, the improvement wherein a force delivery component of the system is formed from a fiber reinforced composite material comprising a polymeric matrix and at least 5% by weight of reinforcing fibers embedded in the matrix, said composite material having a modulus of elasticity below 30×
- 106 psi and a preselected ratio of Yield strength to modulus of elasticity within the range from a level comparable to that of 18-8 stainless steel up to at least 300 percent that of such stainless steel whereby more constant force levels can be applied with time and a continuous range of stiffness is achieved, said composite material having a higher maximum elastic deflection than said stainless steel and an ability to provide complex orthodontic configurations so as to enhance the ease and accuracy of force delivery.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- 10. In an orthodontic appliance system for applying corrective forces to the teeth of a patient, the improvement wherein the attachment component of the system is formed from a fiber reinforced composite material comprised essentially of a polymeric matrix and at least 10 percent by weight fibers despersed throughout the matrix and having a predominant orientation sufficient to effectively resist the maximum torque applied by the force delivery component.
Specification