Abstract:
A superelastic endodontic such (11), is formed by grinding a superelastic wire (8) to form a file preform or blank (12), and rotating a first end of the blank (12) while preventing rotation of a second end of the blank (12), The file blank (12) is maintained in the austenite phase at least until twisted to form a stress induced martensite which is plastically deformed by the twisting. A heat treatment step may be performed prior to twisting, during twisting or after twisting of the preform or blank, (12), The file blank (12) may be heated by electrical heating methods or by the blank in a heated liquid (234).
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide shape setting a shape memory alloy dental arch.SOLUTION: Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for shape-setting hyperelastic, single-crystal shape memory alloy (SMA) material while preserving the hyperelastic properties of the material. Also described are hyperelastic, single-crystal SMA devices that have been shape set by these methods. In particular, described herein are hyperelastic, single crystal SMA dental archwires and methods of forming them while preserving the hyperelastic properties, e.g., without significant grain boundaries in the crystal structure.
Abstract:
A ceramic orthodontic bracket has a centrally located clip for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot. The body of the bracket includes a mesial section, a distal section, and a bridge section, wherein the bridge section extends through, and retains, the clip. The bridge section also includes a recess adjacent to the bridge section that facilitates debonding of the bracket from a patient's tooth. Preferably there are gaps on one or both sides of the clip to allow space for debonding of the bracket by applying a mesial-distal compressive force on the bracket and fracturing the bracket along the recess. This configuration allows the overall mesial-distal width of the bracket to be reduced, thereby facilitating the bonding of brackets to narrow and/or maloccluded teeth. Another embodiment includes a stop member that is connected to the base of the bracket and retains the clip on the bridge section.