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Experimental impression tray fabricated with a NiTi shape memory alloy plate
1Department of Dental Engineering, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama. K01576@simail.ne.jp
Dental Materials Journal
|April 29, 2000
Summary
A novel dental impression tray utilizing nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy significantly reduces model removal force. This innovation aims to prevent tooth fractures during dental modeling procedures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Dental Technology
Background:
- Dental impressions are crucial for creating accurate dental models.
- Removing dental models from impression trays can sometimes exert excessive force, potentially leading to model or tooth damage.
- Existing impression trays may present challenges in terms of ease of model removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an experimental dental impression tray fabricated with a nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy.
- To assess the effect of the shape memory effect on the ease of model removal from the impression tray.
- To determine if the novel tray design can reduce the risk of tooth fractures during modeling.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an experimental impression tray incorporating a NiTi shape memory alloy plate.
- Testing the pull-out force required to remove a dental model from the experimental tray before and after activating the shape memory effect.
- Comparison of the experimental tray's performance against a commercially available impression tray.
- Activation of the NiTi shape memory effect by heating the tray for 15 minutes at 70°C.
Main Results:
- The experimental NiTi tray demonstrated a significant decrease in resistance during model removal after the shape memory effect was recovered.
- Pull-out force for the commercially available tray was 23.5(0.2)N.
- Pull-out force for the experimental tray before NiTi recovery was 23.5(3.9)N.
- Pull-out force for the experimental tray after NiTi recovery (70°C for 15 min) was reduced to 14.7(4.0)N.
Conclusions:
- The experimental NiTi shape memory alloy impression tray effectively reduces the force required for model removal.
- The tray's ability to decrease removal resistance suggests a lower risk of causing tooth fractures during the modeling process.
- This NiTi alloy-based impression tray shows promise for improving dental modeling procedures and enhancing patient safety.