ALIGNERS HAVING FORCE REGENERATION
Aligners having stress force regeneration attributes are described herein. In one variation, a force may be regenerated within the aligner by receiving an aligner within a receptacle post-use by a patient and applying thermal energy to the aligner such that the aligner is maintained at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time.
1 . A method of regenerating a force within an aligner, comprising:
receiving an aligner within a receptacle post-use by a patient; and
applying thermal energy to the aligner such that the aligner is maintained at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the aligner comprises immersing the aligner within a container filled with a fluid.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the fluid comprises water, aqueous solution, organic solvent, or any combination thereof.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the organic solvent comprises polyglycol or glycerine.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the aligner comprises applying a cleaning or oxidizing agent upon the aligner.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the aligner comprises applying a mouth freshening agent or oil upon the aligner.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the aligner comprises immersing the aligner into an antibacterial agent.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the aligner further comprises measuring a force imparted by the aligner upon one or more pressure sensors.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein applying thermal energy comprises applying an energy modality comprising electrical, hydrothermal, ultrasonic, radiative, electromagnetic, ultraviolet, infrared, or chemical heating.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein applying thermal energy comprises maintaining the aligner at the predetermined temperature between 50°-100° C.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein applying thermal energy comprises maintaining the aligner at the predetermined temperature of up to 80° C.
12 . The method of claim 1 wherein applying thermal energy comprises maintaining the aligner at the predetermined temperature of up to 95° C.
13 . The method of claim 1 wherein applying thermal energy comprises maintaining the aligner at the predetermined period of time of 1-5 minutes.
14 . The method of claim 1 wherein applying thermal energy comprises placing an exothermic reactant into water and in thermal communication with the aligner.
15 . The method of claim 1 wherein applying thermal energy comprises applying the thermal energy until a stress retention within the aligner increases at least 10%.
16 . The method of claim 1 wherein applying thermal energy comprises applying the thermal energy until a force recovery within the aligner increases at least 10%.
17 . The method of claim 1 wherein the aligner comprises a PETG co-polymer material.
18 . The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring the aligner within the receptacle via a controller.
19 . A method of regenerating a force within an aligner, comprising:
forming an aligner; and
applying thermal energy to the aligner such that the aligner is maintained at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time.
20 . The method of claim 19 wherein forming the aligner comprises thermoforming the aligner.
21 . The method of claim 19 further comprising receiving the aligner within a receptacle post-use by a patient.
22 . The method of claim 21 wherein receiving the aligner comprises immersing the aligner within a container filled with a fluid.
23 . The method of claim 22 wherein the fluid comprises water, aqueous solution, organic solvent, or any combination thereof.
24 . The method of claim 23 wherein the organic solvent comprises polyglycol or glycerine.
25 . The method of claim 21 wherein receiving the aligner further comprises measuring a force imparted by the aligner upon one or more pressure sensors.
26 . The method of claim 19 wherein applying thermal energy comprises applying an energy modality comprising electrical, hydrothermal, ultrasonic, radiative, electromagnetic, ultraviolet, infrared, or chemical heating.
27 . The method of claim 19 wherein applying thermal energy comprises maintaining the aligner at the predetermined temperature between 50°-100° C.
28 . The method of claim 19 wherein applying thermal energy comprises maintaining the aligner at the predetermined temperature of up to 80° C.
29 . The method of claim 19 wherein applying thermal energy comprises maintaining the aligner at the predetermined temperature of up to 95° C.
30 . The method of claim 19 wherein applying thermal energy comprises maintaining the aligner at the predetermined period of time of 1-5 minutes.
31 . The method of claim 19 wherein applying thermal energy comprises placing an exothermic reactant into water and in thermal communication with the aligner.
32 . The method of claim 19 wherein applying thermal energy comprises applying the thermal energy until a stress retention within the aligner increases at least 10%.
33 . The method of claim 19 wherein applying thermal energy comprises applying the thermal energy until a force recovery within at least 10%.
34 . The method of claim 19 wherein the aligner comprises a PETG co-polymer material.
35 . The method of claim 19 further comprising monitoring the aligner within the receptacle via a controller.
36 . An aligner apparatus configured to regenerate a force, comprising:
an aligner configured to correct a malocclusion of a patient dentition, wherein the aligner is formed of a PETG co-polymer; and
a receptacle configured for receiving the aligner and applying thermal energy to the aligner such that the aligner is maintained at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time.
37 . The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the receptacle comprises a water bath.
38 . The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the receptacle further comprises a heating element.
39 . The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the receptacle further comprises one or more pressure sensors for contacting the aligner.
40 . The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a controller in communication with the receptacle.
41 . The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising a display in communication with the controller.
42 . The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising a smartphone in wireless communication with the controller.
43 . An apparatus comprising:
a thermoformed aligner,
wherein the aligner is exposed to heat for more than 10 minutes prior to use by a patient such that a stress retention and a stress force within the aligner increases prior to exposure of the heat.
44 . The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein the temperature of the heat is between 50°-100° C.