US 5,295,823 A · Orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics

Abstract

Orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics and methods of making such orthodontic appliances are disclosed. The appliances to which the present invention is applicable have a metal bonding base and tooth contact surface. Primary mechanical interlock retention means or surface is applied to the tooth contact surfaces. The primary retention surface may be 1) a mesh, 2) a layer of metallic or non-metallic particles (such as spheres, rods, shards, etc.), or 3) grooves, including undercuts, formed in the tooth contact surface. The appliances preferably further comprise secondary mechanical bond strength enhancement means or treatment. Suitable secondary enhancement treatments include 1) surface roughening (e.g., ion bombardment or other etching processes), 2) particles on the order of 5-200.mu. flame spray coated on the primary retention surface, and 3) a chemically activatable material, such as SiO.sub.2 deposited on the primary retention surface. Chemical activation may also be used to activate the chemically activatable material, such as silanation of SiO.sub.2.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An orthodontic appliance having improved bonding characteristics, comprising:

a metallic bonding base having a tooth contact surface;
primary mechanical interlock retention means on said tooth contact surface, said primary retention means including undercut regions which facilitate mechanical bonding of said appliance to a tooth enamel surface using a dental adhesive, said primary retention means selected from the group consisting of (a) particles adhered to said tooth contact surface, (b) a mesh bonded to said tooth contact surface, and (c) undercut regions, including grooves, formed in said tooth contact surface;
and
secondary mechanical bond strength enhancement means applied to said primary retention means and selected from the group consisting of (a) surface etching to increase the surface area of said primary retention means, (b) particles adhered to said primary retention means, and (c) a chemically activatable material deposited on said primary retention means, wherein said secondary mechanical bond strength enhancement means is applied to only a portion of said primary retention means.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics

Life of this patent

Orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21