FRANKFURT, Germany—Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP has developed a smart thermoplastic polyurethane material for the treatment of dental misalignment.
The TPUs offer an alternative to conventional aligner materials, which, due to strong compressive forces, require many small treatment steps to avoid damaging tissue. High Impact Polystyrene Thermoplastic
Therefore, Fraunhofer IAP, in cooperation with the University Hospital in Duesseldorf, developed shape-memory polymers for use in orthodontic splints.
The TPU reacts to both heat and body-warm water, changing shape depending on temperature or how much water the material absorbs, the German institute said.
In practical terms, the shape-memory effect could be triggered by saliva within the oral cavity, Fraunhofer IAP said in an April 19 news release.
This feature enables the TPU material to support "several correction steps in one," Fraunhofer IAP said.
"Clever choice of material thickness as well as the gradual heating of the aligner additionally controls the force applied to the teeth," it added.
"Aligners made of shape-memory polymers control the force acting on the teeth and thus make therapy more patient-friendly," said Thorsten Pretsch, Fraunhofer IAP research leader.
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