Advanced Thermoplastics for Orthodontics

Abstract

An orthodontic archwire 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 archwire.

1 . A method of forming an orthodontic archwire, 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 archwire.   
   
   
       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: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is independently chosen from H or any organic solubilizing group. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic material comprises the following structure: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is independently chosen from H or any organic solubilizing group, 
       and n is an integer from 2 to about 8. 
     
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic archwire is formed to deliver an orthodontic force to the teeth of an individual when said archwire is engaged with said teeth. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processing step comprises thermal processing the heated material to provide the orthodontic archwire 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 , wherein the material consists essentially of a mixture of thermoplastic rigid and non-rigid backbone polymers. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of heating and processing the thermoplastic material a second time to form the orthodontic archwire. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of heating and processing the thermoplastic material a second time to modify the orthodontic archwire shape. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of processing includes one of the group consisting of extrusion, compression molding and injection molding. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of processing includes forming the archwire into a helical spring configuration. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of processing includes forming the archwire into a cantilever. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of processing includes forming the archwire into a coiled spring configuration. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of processing includes forming the archwire into a loop. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of processing includes forming an archwire having a cross section that is not circular and not quadrilateral. 
   
   
       20 . A method of providing an aesthetically desirable archwire for use in orthodontic treatment of the teeth of an individual, 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 aesthetically desirable orthodontic archwire, wherein   said archwire has a color that is similar to the color of said teeth of said individual.   
   
   
       21 . A method of providing an aesthetically desirable archwire for use in orthodontic treatment of the teeth of an individual, 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 aesthetically desirable orthodontic archwire, wherein   said archwire is generally colorless in appearance.