Title: Method and Apparatus for Light-Curing
Resin Adhesives for Orthodontics Brackets
Current State of the Art:
Hardening of dental
resins through light curing is a commonplace procedure when bonding materials
including the dental brackets associated with braces, to the teeth of dental
patients. Braces are used to correct dental flaws and improve dental health,
often to correct malformations of the jaw and palate or misalignment of teeth
including underbites, malocclusions, overbites, cross bites, open bites and deep
bites.
Disadvantages with the Current Art:
The procedure for
placing brackets is lengthy requiring often for brackets to be placed on more
than 20 teeth dependent on the age of the patient. With the confined space in
the mouth this can be a difficult task. It is often difficult to direct light
adequately to all regions of the resin at once due to blockage by the bracket
itself. Multiple light exposures to
various sides of the bracket are required to adequately cure the resin,
resulting in a time-consuming and laborious process.
Advantages of Invention:
Researchers at
Georgia Health Sciences University have developed a patent issued adaptor tip
that fits over orthodontic brackets for light curing adhesive resins. Prototypes
are available. One design has been tested in binding stainless steel brackets to
bovine teeth.
Distinguishing
advantages:
·
Easier to use
·
Positions the light source evenly around
bracket
·
Does not require repositioning of light
source
·
Decreases the time required for bonding to
occur by more than half
Inventors: Frederick Rueggeberg and Thomas
Whaley
Patent Status: Patent Issued
5,800,163
Case Number: GHSU 1997-005
Contact Info: (706) 721-9822; Office of
Technology Transfer and Economic Development, Georgia Health Sciences
University, Augusta, GA.