Generating aligners with variant mechanical properties
AssigneeSDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
InventorsDrew Marschner, Charlotte Xia, Jordan Sutton, Tim Wucher, Justin Kreil, John Dargis, Eric Wagnon, Ryan Ogletree, Cherie Wilson
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Abstract
A method may include generating a 2D blank that can form a 3D dental aligner via thermoforming. The 2D blank may include a first material that includes a first discontinuity. The 2D blank may include a second material integrally formed within the first discontinuity. The first material may have a higher stiffness than the second material. The method may include thermoforming the 2D blank to form the 3D dental aligner having variable stiffness.
Claims20
A method of forming a dental aligner, the method comprising:
- generating a 2D blank configured to form a 3D dental aligner via thermoforming, the 2D blank comprising:
- a first material that comprises a first discontinuity;
- and
- a second material integrally formed within the first discontinuity;
- wherein the first material comprises a higher stiffness than the second material.
A 2D blank for forming a 3D dental aligner, the 2D blank comprising:
- a first material that comprises a first discontinuity;
- a second material integrally formed within the first discontinuity;
- wherein the first material comprises a higher stiffness than the second material;
- and
- wherein the 2D blank is configured to be thermoformed to form the 3D dental aligner.
A system comprising:
- a cutting apparatus configured to form a first discontinuity through at least a portion of a first material;
- a stamping apparatus configured to cut a 2D blank out of the first material;
- and
- a molding apparatus configured to integrally mold a second material into the first discontinuity of the 2D blank;
- wherein the first material comprises a higher stiffness than the second material;
- and
- wherein the 2D blank is configured to be thermoformed to form a 3D dental aligner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.