TW201825054A - A fiber reinforced orthodontic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced orthodontic appliance is provided. The method may include (a) providing one or more monomer resin-coated fibers, (b) shaping the one or more monomer resin-coated fibers continually along the length of the one or more monomer resin-coated fibers according to digital information correlated to the dental anatomy of an individual patient, and (c) spot curing the shaped portion of the one or more monomer resin-coated fibers as the shaping is carried out to obtain the fiber reinforced orthodontic appliance. The method may further include marking the center portion and/or a side portion of the cured appliance. A fiber reinforced orthodontic appliance and an apparatus for manufacturing a fiber reinforced orthodontic appliance are also provided.

Description

 Fiber-reinforced gingival braces  

Various embodiments are provided in relation to a method of making a fiber reinforced gum aligner and an apparatus for making a fiber reinforced gum aligner.

The orthodontic treatment is based on the principle that if long-term pressure is applied to the tooth, the tooth will move as the bone around the tooth reshapes. In gingival correction treatment, the teeth can be rearranged by applying a fixed or detachable gingival aligner to the mouth of a patient to improve the appearance of the wearer, as well as the stability and function of the occlusion.

Conventional gingival appliances may include a fixed gingival aligner having a plurality of metal or ceramic brackets attached to the teeth and made of metal (eg, 18-8 stainless steel, chrome-cobalt-nickel) And/or containing a titanium alloy) to form a bow line. The metal archwire can be bent to transmit the desired force to the teeth. Disadvantages of such gingival appliances include the complex structure of the appliance, which in turn causes undesirable oral hygiene, which may translate into dental caries and poor appearance in patients wearing the device.

A fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) can be used instead of a metal wire to serve as a gingival correction archwire. Advantageously, the fiber reinforced composite wire can have a strength comparable to that of a steel wire, but only a fraction of its weight. In addition, fiber reinforced composite wires in the form of continuous unidirectional fiberglass threads can be used as a translucent archwire in combination with conventional brackets as an aesthetic alternative to traditional gingival braces formed from metal wires to improve wear. The appearance of the patient with the gum correction. The most advanced fiber reinforced composite wire for gingival correction applications can be made by conforming a line coated with a monomer resin to a particular form on a mold, such as U.S. Patent No. 7,758,785 B2 ( The fiber reinforced composite material and its forming method (FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITE AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME)).

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the method described in U.S. Patent No. 7,758,785 B2. In the method, 1 means that the composite material formed of the fiber and the resin is placed in an elongate tunnel of one of the shrinkable die; 2 means that the mold is contracted in the longitudinal direction of the hole of the mold to reduce The cross section of the small tunnel to compress the composite material in the tunnel; 3 to cure the composite; 5 represents an optional step: before the curing, the mold is bent along the length to shape the composite material in the mold; and 4 represents The mold is peeled from the composite to obtain a fiber reinforced composite.

The method shown in U.S. Patent No. 7,758,785 B2 may have, for example, the disadvantage that the force applied during the arch forming process is variable, so that an arch line that does not accurately represent the contour of the patient's teeth is obtained; It is not suitable for mass production. In addition, the use of this method may cause defects in the fiber-reinforced composite material line, such as a ratio of glass fiber to resin combination, and defects shown in Figs. 2A to 2F.

In view of the above, there is a need for an improved method of making a fiber reinforced gum aligner that overcomes or at least alleviates one or more of the above problems.

In a first aspect, a method of making a fiber reinforced orthodontic appliance is provided. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing one or more monomers-coated fibers, and b) one or more along the digital information associated with the tooth anatomy of a different patient The length of the fiber coated with the monomer resin continuously shapes the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin, and c) the one or more coatings are carried out as the forming step is carried out The formed portion of the fiber of the monomer resin is subjected to spot curing to obtain the fiber reinforced gum aligner.

In a second aspect, a fiber reinforced gum aligner prepared by the method according to the first aspect is provided.

In a third aspect, an apparatus for making a fiber reinforced gum aligner is provided. The apparatus comprises: a) a wire bending unit for continuously traversing the length of one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin based on digital information associated with the tooth dissection of a different patient One or more fibers formed with a monomer resin; and b) a spot curing unit for forming one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin as the forming step is performed Part of the spot is cured.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method according to the first aspect or the apparatus according to the third aspect for use in the manufacture of a fiber reinforced gum aligner.

1~5‧‧‧ steps

201‧‧‧Fiber-reinforced gingival correction line

202‧‧‧Fiber-reinforced gingival correction line

203‧‧‧Fiber-reinforced gingival correction line

204‧‧‧Fiber-reinforced gingival correction line

205‧‧‧Fiber-reinforced gingival correction line

206‧‧‧Fiber-reinforced gingival correction line

221‧‧‧ Foreign objects

222‧‧‧ bubbles

223‧‧‧thorn

224‧‧‧ score line

225‧‧‧ dent

226‧‧‧Stain

301~307‧‧‧Steps

400‧‧‧ equipment

411‧‧‧Line bending unit

412‧‧‧ spot curing unit

450‧‧‧ entrance

451‧‧‧Export

500‧‧‧ equipment

501‧‧‧Molding unit

502‧‧‧Preformed unit

503‧‧‧Forming Department

504‧‧‧Line pull unit

505‧‧‧Finishing unit

506‧‧‧Marking unit

511‧‧‧Line bending unit

512‧‧‧ spot curing unit

550‧‧‧ entrance

551‧‧ Export

603‧‧‧Forming Department

604‧‧‧Line pull unit

605‧‧‧Finishing unit

611‧‧‧Line bending unit

612‧‧‧ spot curing unit

671‧‧‧Fiber coated with monomer resin

672‧‧‧cured fiber

673‧‧‧Fiber-reinforced gingival braces

701‧‧‧Molding unit

771‧‧‧ fiber

772‧‧‧Fiber coated with monomer resin

802‧‧‧Preformed unit

871‧‧‧Fiber coated with monomer resin

872‧‧‧Bundle fiber

900‧‧‧ Equipment

5011‧‧‧Storage

5012‧‧‧Transportation agency

5121‧‧‧radiation source

5122‧‧‧radiation focusing components

6031‧‧‧Opening

6111‧‧‧Basic framework

Branch of 6112‧‧

Branch of 6113‧‧

Branch of 6114‧‧

6115‧‧‧ Grabber

6116‧‧‧Slot

6121‧‧‧radiation source

6122‧‧‧radiation focusing components

6123‧‧‧ spot focused radiation

7011‧‧‧Storage

7012‧‧‧Transportation agency

7013‧‧‧ monomer resin

8021‧‧‧Preformed rolls

8022‧‧‧Transportation agency

9001‧‧‧Spool Roller/Fiber Roller

9002‧‧‧ Container

9003‧‧‧Control panel

9004‧‧‧ display

9005‧‧‧Export

X, Y, Z‧‧‧ axis

The invention will be better understood with reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the non-limiting examples and the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state of the art method for making a fiber-reinforced gingival correction line. Schematic diagram. In the illustrated method, step 1 represents placing the composite formed of fibers and resin in an elongated channel of a shrinkable mold; step 2 is to shrink the mold in the longitudinal direction of the orifice of the mold to reduce the transverse cross-section of the tunnel, To compress the composite material in the tunnel; step 3 to cure the composite; step 5 represents an optional step: prior to curing, the mold is bent along the length to shape the composite in the mold; and step 4 represents the mold The composite is peeled off.

Fig. 2A is an optical image taken of a fiber-reinforced gingival correction line prepared by the method shown in Fig. 1 using a 40-fold microscope. As shown in the figure, the fiber-reinforced gingival correction line 201 has one of the defects in which a foreign matter 221 is caught, which may be attributed to the presence on one of the surfaces of the shrinkable mold for preparing the fiber-reinforced gingival correction line. Foreign body 221.

Fig. 2B is an optical image taken of a fiber-reinforced gingival correction line prepared by the method shown in Fig. 1 using a 40-fold microscope. As shown in the figure, the fiber reinforced gum correction line 202 has one of the defects in which the bubble 222 is caught, possibly due to the placement of the composite formed of the fiber and the resin in the shrinkable mold.

Fig. 2C is an optical image taken by a 40-fold microscope on a fiber-reinforced gingival correction line prepared by the method shown in Fig. 1. As shown in the figure, the fiber-reinforced gingival correction line 203 has one of the defects in the form of a thorn 223 branched from the fiber-reinforced gingival correction line 203. The fiber formation thorn may be caused when the composite material formed of the fiber and the resin is taken out from the shrinkable mold.

The 2D image is an optical image taken by a 40-fold microscope on a fiber-reinforced gingival correction line prepared by the method shown in Fig. 1. As shown in the figures, the fiber reinforced gum correction line 204 has one of the defects in the form of a score line 224 on the surface of one of the fiber reinforced gum correction lines 204, which may be attributed to the composite formed of fibers and resin. Move in the shrinkable mold.

Fig. 2E is an optical image taken of a fiber-reinforced gingival correction line prepared by the method shown in Fig. 1 using a 40-fold microscope. As shown in the figures, the fiber reinforced gum correction line 205 has one of the defects in the form of a dimple 225 on one of the surfaces of the fiber reinforced gum correction line 205, which may be due to an operator handling the shrinkable mold. Appeared improperly.

Fig. 2F is an optical image taken by a 40-fold microscope on a fiber-reinforced gingival correction line prepared by the method shown in Fig. 1. As shown in the figures, the fiber-reinforced gingival correction line 206 has one of the defects in the form of a stain 226 on one of the surfaces of the fiber-reinforced gingival correction line 206, which may be attributed to the use of the fiber-reinforced gingival correction. Impurities or dust particles are present on one of the lines of the shrinkable mold.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram detailing a process in accordance with one of the embodiments disclosed herein. Step 301 represents loading the fibers into a forming unit comprising a reservoir containing a monomer resin; step 302 representing wetting the fibers by coating the outer surface of each of the fibers with a monomer resin, To form a fiber coated with a monomer resin; step 303 represents bundling the fiber coated with the monomer resin to form a bundle of fibers; and step 304 represents passing the bundled fiber through a molding portion. One of the inner walls defines an opening to modify a cross-sectional dimension and/or a cross-sectional shape of the bundle of fibers, wherein the aperture defines a cross-sectional dimension and/or a cross-sectional shape of the bundle of fibers; step 305 represents The fibers are continuously formed along the length of the resulting fiber based on digital information associated with the dental dissection of a different patient; step 306 represents spot curing of the formed portion of the fiber as the forming step is performed; and step 307 Indicates that the cured fiber is trimmed to a predetermined length.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus 400 for fabricating a fiber reinforced gum aligner in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 400 for fabricating a fiber reinforced gum aligner includes a line bending unit 411 for coating one or more coatings based on digital information associated with the tooth anatomy of a particular patient. The length of the fiber having the monomer resin continuously shapes the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin; and a spot curing unit 412 for coating the one or more coatings as the forming step is carried out One of the fibers of the monomer resin has a shaped portion for spot curing. The one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin may be placed into the wire bending unit 411 via the inlet 450 to one of the wire bending units 411. The fiber may be bundled using a single fiber coated with a monomer resin or one of a plurality of fibers coated with a monomer resin. The inlet 450 may be coupled to a loading unit (not shown) for loading the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin into the wire bending unit 411. As the wire bending unit 411 shapes the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin, the spot curing unit 412 performs spot curing on the formed portion of the resin-coated fiber, which can be performed while performing the forming step Or occurs within a predetermined period of time after the forming step. The cured fibers can be taken out from the spot curing unit 412 via one of the outlets 451 of the spot curing unit 412. The outlet 451 can be connected to an unloading unit (not shown) for unloading the cured fibers or to a finishing unit (not shown) for trimming the cured fibers into a predetermined length.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus 500 for fabricating a fiber reinforced gum aligner in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 500 for manufacturing a fiber reinforced gum aligner includes a molding unit 501, a preforming unit 502, a molding portion 503, a line bending unit 511, a spot curing unit 512, and a line pulling. A wire pulling unit 504, a trimming unit 505, and a marking unit 506. The molding unit 501 includes: a reservoir 5011 for receiving a monomer resin; and a conveying mechanism 5012 for conveying one or more fibers through the reservoir, and coating the one or more with the monomer resin One of each of the fibers has an outer surface to form one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin. One or more fibers may be placed into the forming unit 501 via an inlet 550 to one of the forming units 501. The inlet 550 can be coupled to one of the loading units (not shown) for loading one or more fibers into the forming unit 501. After coating the outer surface of each of the one or more fibers with a monomer resin, the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin are transported through an outlet 551 through a transport mechanism 5012, the outlet 551 The inlet 550 is disposed on the same side of the molding unit. The preforming unit 502 is used to bundle a plurality of fibers coated with a monomer resin to form a bundle of fibers. The bundled fibers can be conveyed through a forming portion 503 having an inner wall defining an opening for defining a cross-sectional dimension and/or a cross-sectional shape of the bundle of fibers. The resulting fibers can be delivered to the wire bending unit 511. The spot curing unit 512 performs spot curing of the formed portion of the fiber during the molding of the fiber by the inline bending unit 511 or during a predetermined period of time after the in-line bending unit 511 has formed the fiber. The spot curing unit 512 includes a radiation source 5121 and a radiation focusing component 5122. The cured fiber is moved from the spot curing unit 512 to the trimming unit 505 for trimming the cured fiber into a predetermined length by pulling the solidified fiber through a wire pulling unit 504 of the wire bending unit 511. The finished fiber can be conveyed to form a mark one marking unit 506 at a central portion of the finished fiber, and then taken out from the marking unit 506 via one of the outlets 551 of the marking unit 506. The outlet 551 can be connected to an unloading unit (not shown) for unloading fibers that can be used directly as a fiber reinforced gum aligner.

Fig. 6A is a schematic view showing a method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced gum aligner according to an embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, a fiber 671 coated with a monomer resin is conveyed through a forming portion 603 having an inner wall defining an opening 6031. The opening 6031 is used to define a cross-sectional size and/or a cross-sectional shape of the fiber 671 coated with the monomer resin. The shaped portion 603 can be programmed, as desired, to vary the size and/or shape of the opening 6031 in accordance with the specific requirements of the fiber reinforced gum aligner. The fiber 671 coated with the monomer resin is conveyed through the one-line bending unit 611. The in-line bending unit 611 provides a spot focusing radiation 6123 and a spot coating radiation 6612 including a radiation source 6121 and a radiation focusing component 6122 during shaping of the fiber or a predetermined period of time after the forming step. The formed portion of the fiber 671 of the bulk resin is subjected to spot curing. The cured fiber 672 can be moved from the spot curing unit 612 to the trimming unit 605 for trimming the cured fiber into a predetermined length by pulling the solidified fiber through a wire pulling unit 604 of the wire bending unit 611. Fiber reinforced gum aligner 673.

Fig. 6B is a schematic view showing a line bending unit 611 according to an embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the wire bending unit 611 is in the form of a six freedoms wire bending part. The wire bending unit 611 includes a graber 6115 having an inner wall defining one of the slots 6116 and for releasably holding a cured fiber. A moveable component can extend from an inner wall of one of the slots 6116 and can be moved toward or away from an opposing wall of the slot 6116 to releasably retain the cured fiber between the moveable component and the wall . In some cases, the movable assembly can include two portions, each extending from two opposing walls of the slot 6116 and for moving toward or away from each other to releasably retain the cured fibers to the two Between the parts. The gripper 6115 is connected to one of the basic frames 6111 of the wire bending unit 611 by three legs 6112, 6113 and 6114. In addition to acting as a basic frame for one of the wire bending units 611, the basic frame 6111 also provides rotation of the gripper 6115 by rotation along the Y axis. The length of each of the three branches 6112, 6113, and 6114 can vary and can be independently controlled by attaching to one of the branches of the servo system. By controlling the length of each of the branches, the branches work together to provide movement along the X-Y-Z axis and rotation along the X and Z axes. For example, as the length of the branch 6112 increases, the gripper 6115 can rotate toward the (-Z) direction. When the length of all three branches increases, the gripper 6115 can be pushed toward the Y direction. The movement of the movable assembly, base frame 6111, and branches 6112, 6113, and 6114 in the gripper 6115 can be driven by a servo motor and controlled by a control system that enables the various portions to be accurately moved and controlled The system can be connected to a computer that contains digital information related to the tooth anatomy of another patient. In this way, the wire bending unit 611 can continuously shape the fibers along the length of the fiber coated with the monomer resin based on the digital information related to the tooth anatomy of another patient.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a molding unit 701 according to an embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the molding unit 701 includes: a reservoir 7011 for receiving a monomer resin; and a transport mechanism 7012 for transporting one or more fibers through the reservoir. A resin is applied to coat the outer surface of each of the one or more fibers to form one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin. The illustrated transport mechanism 7012 includes a plurality of rollers and driving rollers for moving the fibers 771. The reservoir 7011 contains a monomer resin 7013. By passing the fibers 771 through the monomer resin 7013, the outer surface of each of the fibers is coated with a monomer resin. The fiber 772 coated with the monomer resin is conveyed by the conveying mechanism 7012, and exits the molding unit 701 on the side when the dried fiber 771 enters the molding unit 701.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a pre-forming unit 802 according to an embodiment. A preforming unit 802 for bundling a plurality of fibers coated with a monomer resin to form a bundle of fibers can be disposed downstream of one of the forming units described herein. As shown, the fiber 871 coated with the monomer resin can be conveyed to a pre-formed roll 8021 by a transport mechanism 8022, and the pre-form roll 8021 bundles the fibers 871 coated with the monomer resin to form a bundle. Fiber 872.

Figure 9 is a schematic view showing a perspective view of an apparatus 900 for fabricating one of the fiber reinforced gum aligners disclosed herein. The fibers for feeding into the apparatus 900 can be wound on one or more bobbin rolls 9001 that are disposed on a top surface of the apparatus 900. A container 9002 for containing one of the monomer resins may be disposed on the top surface of the apparatus 900 against the one or more fiber rolls 9001. A user interface including a control panel 9003 and a display 9004 can be disposed on a surface of the device 900. The outlet 9005 of the fiber reinforced gum aligner product can be disposed on a second surface of the device 900.

Advantageously, by coating the formed portion of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin at the same time as the shaping step or a predetermined period of time after the forming step, the coating is prevented from being coated The relief of the accumulated stress in the fibers of the bulk resin causes any undesirable movement and/or displacement of the fibers coated with the monomer resin. When the entire formed resin coated with the monomer resin is cured by being placed in a curing chamber, the fibers coated with the monomer resin may be moved and/or displaced, which is disadvantageous. Therefore, the fiber-reinforced gingival aligner produced can be made inaccurate, which is unsuitable for the end user. Further, since the forming of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin is continuously performed along the length of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin, the coating due to the spot curing is single Movement and/or displacement of the fibers of the bulk resin, if any, can be remedied by adjusting the formation of subsequent portions of the fibers coated with the monomer resin prior to curing. Advantageously, the methods disclosed herein achieve fiber-reinforced gingival braces that are manufactured with improved precision, thereby providing better suitability and better treatment for the end user.

In view of the above, in a first aspect, various embodiments are directed to a method of making a fiber reinforced gum aligner.

As used herein, the term "fiber-reinforced gingival braces" refers to a gum aligner formed of or comprising a fiber-reinforced composite material. Gingival aligner refers to a device for mounting on a tooth and applying a corrective force to the tooth and/or its supporting structure to control the growth and development of the tooth. The gum aligner can be attached to or detachably attached to the teeth. Examples of gingival appliances include, but are not limited to, archwires, circular orthodontic bands, and ligature wires. In various embodiments, the orthodontic appliance is an archwire.

The term "fiber reinforced composite" generally refers to a mixture of materials comprising one or more fibers contained in a matrix formed from a polymeric component. The term "fiber" refers to an elongated structure (such as a filament or ribbon) that can be produced by conventional techniques such as electrospinning, interfacial polymerization, and the like. Fibers can be incorporated into the fiber reinforced composite to enhance the mechanical properties of the composite.

Examples of fibers include, but are not limited to, glass fibers, polymer fibers, ceramic fibers, cellulose and natural fibers, quartz fibers, graphite fibers, nanofibers, or mixtures thereof. Examples of polymeric fibers include, but are not limited to, fibers formed from polyethylene, polypropylene, Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), Nylon. In various embodiments, the fibers in the fiber reinforced composite comprise or consist of glass.

A method of making a fiber reinforced gum aligner includes providing one or more fibers coated with a monomeric resin.

As used herein, the term "monomer resin" refers to a prepolymer compound that can be polymerized or cured to form a polymer. In various embodiments, the monomeric resin is a compound that polymerizes or cures upon exposure to a source of radiation. Examples of suitable monomer resins include, but are not limited to, acrylic monomer resins, acrylate monomer resins (eg, methacrylate monomer resins, cyanoacrylate monomer resins, methyl methacrylate monomer resins, hydroxyethyl groups). A methyl methacrylate monomer resin, or a combination thereof, an epoxy monomer resin, a carbonate monomer resin, or a combination thereof.

In a specific embodiment, the monomer resin may comprise from about 15% to 40% by weight, from about 40% to 70% by weight, and from about 8% to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer resin. A mixture of ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate, glass frit, and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate present in the concentration range. Such a monomer resin may, for example, be AELITEFLO/AELITEFLO LV available from Bisco.

The one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin comprise a layer of monomeric resin disposed on an outer surface of one or more of the fibers. For example, the one or more fibers can be used as a single fiber or as a plurality of fibers (eg, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Twelve or fifteen fibers are formed to form one bundle of fibers or woven fibers. The layer of the monomer resin may be correspondingly disposed on the outer surface of the single fiber or the bundled fiber or woven fiber formed of the plurality of fibers.

In embodiments in which one or more of the fibers coated with the monomer resin are formed into bundles of fibers or woven fibers from a plurality of fibers, the monomer resin may or may not surround the bundled fibers or woven fibers. Each of the fibers forms a layer. In various embodiments, the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin comprise a layer of monomeric resin disposed on an outer surface of one of the one or more fibers.

The monomeric resin coating on the fibers can have a weight ratio in the range of from about 1:1 to about 1:1.5 for the amount of fiber present. For example, the weight ratio of monomer resin to fiber can be in the range of from about 1:1.1 to about 1:1.5, from about 1:1.2 to about 1:1.5, from about 1:1.3 to about 1:1.5, about 1 :1 to about 1:1.4, about 1:1 to about 1:1.3, about 1:1 to about 1:1.2, or about 1:1.1 to about 1:1.4. In various embodiments, the monomeric resin coating on the fibers has a thickness that is at least substantially uniform along the length of the fibers.

In various embodiments, the step of providing one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin comprises coating one of the outer surfaces of each of the one or more fibers with a monomer resin. Examples of suitable monomer resins have been described above.

The step of coating the outer surface of each of the one or more fibers with a monomer resin may be carried out in a forming unit comprising a reservoir for receiving the monomer resin and for transporting one or more The fibers pass through a transport mechanism of the reservoir.

In various embodiments, the step of coating the outer surface of each of the one or more fibers with a monomeric resin comprises delivering the one or more fibers through a reservoir containing the monomeric resin, such that The one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin exit the reservoir on the same side as the one or more fibers enter the reservoir. In such a configuration that the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin exit the reservoir on the same side as the one or more fibers enter the reservoir, any excess resin that may be present on the fibers may be stored. The device is retrieved, whereby the resin can be recycled. In addition, this configuration provides a more uniform thickness for the layer coated with the monomer resin.

The step of transporting one or more fibers through a reservoir containing monomeric resin can be carried out using a transport mechanism (e.g., a roller). Advantageously, the use of a roller will make the fibers softer, which translates into a lower incidence of defects than the most advanced methods for making fiber reinforced gum aligners.

For purposes of illustration only, the step of coating one of the outer surfaces of each of the one or more fibers with a monomeric resin as disclosed herein may occur in a forming unit (e.g., the forming unit illustrated in Figure 7).

Referring to FIG. 7, the molding unit 701 includes: a reservoir 7011 for receiving a monomer resin; and a conveying mechanism 7012 for conveying one or more fibers through the reservoir and coating the resin with the monomer resin. An outer surface of each of the one or more fibers is disposed to form one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin. The illustrated transport mechanism 7012 includes a plurality of rollers and drive rollers for moving the fibers 771. The reservoir 7011 contains a monomer resin 7013. By passing the fibers 771 through the monomer resin 7013, the outer surface of each of the fibers is coated with a monomer resin. The rolls and drive rolls can be used to spread the fibers to form a substantially uniform coating of the monomer resin on one of the outer surfaces of each of the fibers. The fiber 772 coated with the monomer resin may be conveyed by the conveying mechanism 7012 and exit the molding unit 701 on the side when the dried fiber 771 enters the molding unit 701.

As described above, one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin may be provided. In various embodiments, a plurality of fibers coated with a monomer resin are provided. To produce each fiber reinforced gum aligner, four, six, eight, or ten fibers coated with a monomer resin can be provided. The plurality of fibers coated with the monomer resin may be provided as a single fiber (unbundled form) or as a bundle of fibers in bundle form. In embodiments in which the plurality of fibers coated with a monomer resin are provided as separate fibers in a non-bundled form, the methods disclosed herein may further comprise bundling the plurality of fibers coated with a monomer resin. To form a bundle of fibers.

For example, this step can be performed by transporting the plurality of fibers coated with the monomer resin through the fibers for bundling the plurality of fibers coated with the monomer resin to form a preformed unit of the bundled fibers. Implementation. For example, by varying the number of fibers coated with monomeric resin in the bundled fibers, the properties (e.g., thickness and/or strength) of the resulting fiber reinforced gum aligner can be tailored.

An example of a pre-formed unit is shown in FIG. A preforming unit 802 for bundling a plurality of fibers coated with a monomer resin to form a bundle of fibers can be disposed downstream of one of the forming units described herein. As shown in the figure, the fiber 871 coated with the monomer resin can be conveyed to a pre-formed roll 8021 by a transport mechanism 8022, and the pre-form roll 8021 bundles the fibers 871 coated with the monomer resin to form a Bundle of fibers 872. In various embodiments, the pre-formed roll 8021 has a smaller cross-sectional width or diameter in the central portion to guide the fiber 871 coated with the monomer resin to the center of the roll, so that the coated monomer Resin fibers 871 can be joined together to form bundled fibers 872. The transport mechanism 8022 can include a secondary resin dispenser (not shown) to control the thickness of the resin coating on the fibers 871 coated with the monomer resin.

In the embodiment in which the plurality of fiber systems coated with the monomer resin have been provided in a bundle form as a bundle of fibers, it is not necessary to pass the plurality of fibers coated with the monomer resin through the preformed unit. .

One or more fibers coated with a monomer resin may be conveyed through an opening defined by an inner wall of a shaped portion, wherein the opening is used to define the one or more resin coated with a monomer The cross-sectional size and/or cross-sectional shape of the fibers. By passing the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin through the opening, it is possible to modify the cross-sectional size and/or cross-sectional shape of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin, Preferably, the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin can conform to or exhibit a cross-sectional dimension and/or a cross-sectional shape of the opening.

An example of a forming portion is shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6A shows a molded portion 603 having an inner wall defining one of the openings 6031. A fiber 671 coated with a monomer resin is conveyed through an opening 6031 defined by the inner wall of the molding portion 603.

In various embodiments, the opening has a cross-sectional shape such as, but not limited to, a circle, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, an ellipse, a diamond, or an irregular shape.

In some embodiments, the opening has a cross section that is circular in shape. The circular opening can have a range of from about 0.019 inches to about 0.021 inches (e.g., from about 0.02 inches to about 0.021 inches, from about 0.019 inches to about 0.02 inches, about 0.019 inches, about 0.02 inches). The inner diameter of 吋, or about 0.021 inches).

In some embodiments, the opening has a cross section that is rectangular in shape. One side of the rectangular opening may have a range of from about 0.019 inches to about 0.021 inches (eg, from about 0.02 inches to about 0.021 inches, from about 0.019 inches to about 0.02 inches, about 0.019 inches, about The size of 0.02 inches, or about 0.021 inches, and the other side of the rectangular opening may have a size of about 0.025 inches.

In a particular embodiment, the opening has a circular cross-section having a diameter of about 0.019 inches or about 0.021 inches, or a rectangle having a size of about 0.019 inches by 0.025 inches or about 0.021 inches by 0.025 inches. Cross section.

The shaped portion is programmable in that the size and/or shape of the opening can be varied depending on the specific requirements of the fiber reinforced gum aligner. For example, the shaped portion can be formed from a material that can be reduced (or shrunk) in size to compress an opening defined by an inner wall of the shaped portion. Such materials may include temperature sensitive materials that are capable of varying in size in response to heat, such as, but not limited to, polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), fluorinated ethylene polymer (FEP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), mixtures thereof, or copolymers thereof.

The method of making a fiber reinforced gum aligner disclosed herein comprises continuously treating one or more lengths of one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin based on digital information associated with the tooth anatomy of a different patient The fibers coated with the monomer resin are shaped.

In various embodiments, the one or more coated monomeric resins are continuously applied along the length of one or more fibers coated with the monomeric resin based on digital information associated with the dental dissection of a different patient. The fiber forming step is carried out using a one-line bending unit.

For example, the wire bending unit can include a robotic device and a control system. The line bending unit can be referred to as a "six degrees of freedom or six freedoms" line bend because the robot has six degrees of freedom to enable it to move to any point within a work area. . The wire bending unit can be disposed downstream of an opening that can be used as a fixed mold. The one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin may be transported from the opening to the wire bending unit, and in the wire bending unit, the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin may be the wire The bending unit is continuously formed along the length of the fiber based on the digital information associated with the tooth anatomy of another patient.

An example of a one-line bending unit is shown in Fig. 6B. In the illustrated embodiment, the wire bending unit 611 is in the form of a six degree of freedom line bend. The wire bending unit 611 includes a gripper 6115 having an inner wall defining one of the slots 6116 and for releasably retaining a cured fiber. A movable component can extend from an inner wall of one of the slots 6116 and can be moved toward or away from one of the opposing walls of the slot 6116 to hold or release the cured fiber between the movable component and the wall, respectively. . In some cases, the moveable component can include two portions, each extending from two opposing walls of the slot 6116 and configured to move toward or away from each other to releasably retain the cured fibers to the two Between the parts.

The gripper 6115 is connected to one of the basic frames 6111 of the wire bending unit 611 by three branches 6112, 6113 and 6114. In addition to acting as a basic frame for one of the wire bending units 611, the basic frame 6111 also provides rotation of the gripper 6115 by rotation along the Y axis.

The length of each of the three branches 6112, 6113, and 6114 can vary and can be independently controlled by attaching to one of the branches of the servo system. By controlling the length of each of the branches, the branches work together to provide movement along the X-Y-Z axis and rotation along the X and Z axes. For example, as the length of the branch 6112 increases, the gripper 6115 can rotate toward the (-Z) direction. When the length of all three branches increases, the gripper 6115 can be pushed toward the Y direction.

The movement of the movable assembly, the basic frame 6111, and the branches 6112, 6113, and 6114 in the gripper 6115 can be driven by a servo motor and controlled by a control system that enables the various portions to be accurately moved and The control system can be connected to a computer that contains digital information related to the tooth anatomy of another patient. In this way, the wire bending unit 611 can continuously shape the fibers along the length of the fiber coated with the monomer resin based on the digital information related to the tooth anatomy of another patient.

The wire bending unit is configured to continuously apply one or more of the resin coated with the monomer resin along the length of one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin according to the digital information related to the tooth dissection of another patient. Fiber forming. For example, the digital information associated with the tooth anatomy of a different patient can be presented from Computer Aided Design (CAD) for sensor output for mapping the dental anatomy of a different patient. Model or drawing or digital output form. Using this digital information, the wire bending unit can shape the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin more accurately than the most advanced methods.

In various embodiments, the digital information associated with the tooth anatomy of a particular patient is stored off-site, such as in an external laboratory or office. Thus, continuously shaping the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin along the length of one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin according to the digital information associated with the dental dissection of a different patient may comprise The digital information is retrieved from an external data server.

A process for forming one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin is continuously performed along a length of the one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin, wherein the one or more are coated with a monomer resin The fiber can be passed through the wire bending unit by pulling through a wire pulling unit for pulling the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin through the wire bending unit. For example, the wire pulling unit can cooperate with the wire bending unit to provide movement of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin along its length. By "continuously along the length" means that the wire bending unit shapes one or more of the first portions of the fibers coated with the monomer resin, and is coated along the one or more The length of the fibers of the monomer resin is moved to shape a second portion and other portions of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin without backtracking. In this way, a fiber-reinforced gingival braces with precise contours can be produced.

The method of making a fiber reinforced gum aligner disclosed herein comprises forming the one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin as the forming step is performed or a predetermined period of time after the forming step is performed. Part of the spot is cured to obtain a fiber-reinforced gingival braces. In other words, when the in-line bending unit shapes one of the first portions of the fibers coated with the monomer resin, or within a few seconds after the first portion of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin is formed, The first portion can be spot cured.

As used herein, the term "curing" refers to the polymerization or crosslinking of the prepolymer by promoting the polymerization or crosslinking of the prepolymer (e.g., monomer). For example, the curing step can be carried out by irradiating the prepolymer with a radiation source, which can be selected from the group consisting of: an infrared radiation source, a visible radiation source, an ultraviolet radiation source, and a An x-ray source, a gamma ray source, a beta particle source, a high energy electron source, and combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term "spot curing" refers to curing that is cured or limited to a small area and/or localized area. For example, this step can be performed using a spot curing unit that can include a radiation source and a radiation focusing assembly (eg, an optical lens). By using radiation focusing components to direct radiation from the radiation source, spot forming of one or more of the fibers coated with the monomer resin can be performed.

In various embodiments, the step of spot curing the shaped portion of one or more of the fibers coated with the monomer resin is by irradiating the focused blue light to the one or more coated monomers. The formed portion of the resin fiber is applied.

Since the formed portion of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin is subjected to spot curing at the same time as the forming step is performed or after a predetermined period of time after the forming step is performed, the coating can be prevented from being coated The coated monomer is caused by the relief of the accumulated stress in the fibers of the bulk resin and possibly in the case where the entire resin coated with the monomer resin is cured by placing it in a curing chamber. Any undesired movement and/or displacement of the fibers of the resin. Furthermore, the movement and/or displacement (if any) of the fibers coated with the monomer resin due to spot curing can be remedied by the formation of subsequent portions of the fibers coated with the monomer resin. Advantageously, the methods disclosed herein are capable of producing fiber reinforced gum aligners with precise contours.

The process of forming and spot curing the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin may be performed on a portion or the entire length of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin until fiber reinforced gum correction is obtained. Until now. In certain embodiments, the length of the cured fibers corresponds to the expected length of the fiber reinforced gum aligner and, for example, no further processing is required to trim the cured fibers.

In some embodiments, the cured fibers are trimmed to a specific length or a predetermined length, and the particular length or predetermined length can be tailored to the specifications. For example, this step can be carried out by a finishing unit for trimming the cured fibers in a range of from about 10 millimeters (mm) to about 200 mm (for example, from about 50 mm to about 200 mm, From about 100 mm to about 200 mm, from about 120 mm to about 200 mm, from about 150 mm to about 200 mm, from about 10 mm to about 150 mm, from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, from about 10 mm to about 50 mm, from about 50 One of a predetermined length of about 150 mm, or about 60 mm to about 120 mm. The step of trimming the cured fibers may also be carried out in the case of manufacturing two or more fiber reinforced gum aligners in a single production run (eg, sequentially along one or more fibers coated with monomeric resin). To separate individual fiber-reinforced gingival braces.

An illustration of the above process is shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6A shows that the fiber 671 coated with the monomer resin is conveyed through the one-line bending unit 611. The spot curing unit 612 including a radiation source 6121 and a radiation focusing component 6122 provides spot focused radiation 6123 when the fiber is formed by the wire bending unit 611 or during a period of time after the forming step, and is coated with a monomer The formed portion of the resin fiber 671 is subjected to spot curing. The cured fiber 672 can be moved from the spot curing unit 612 to the trimming unit 605 for trimming the cured fiber into a predetermined length by pulling the solidified fiber through the wire pulling unit 604 of the wire bending unit 611 to obtain fiber strengthening. Gingival aligner 673.

In various embodiments, the methods disclosed herein further comprise forming a single indicia at a central portion of the formed fiber. In certain embodiments, the methods disclosed herein further comprise forming two indicia on the formed fibers: one at the center of one of the formed fibers and the other at the side of one of the formed fibers form. The marking step can be carried out in a marking unit for forming a single mark at a central portion of one of the formed fibers or two marks at a central portion and a side portion of the formed fiber. The sides of the formed fibers can be located on the right hand side of the formed fiber and correspond to the left hand side of a patient. These markers can be used to instruct the orthodontist to mount the fiber-reinforced gingival aligner in the patient's mouth in the proper position.

To mark the center and/or sides of the formed fibers, a computer vision system can be used. Alternatively or in addition, a wire pull unit can be used to measure the length of the wire and a central portion of the formed fiber can be positioned according to a computer aided design model of the formed fiber.

In a second aspect, various embodiments are directed to a fiber reinforced gum aligner manufactured by the method of the first aspect. As described above, the methods disclosed herein are capable of producing fiber reinforced gum aligners with precise contours.

In another aspect, an apparatus for making a fiber reinforced gum aligner is provided. Advantageously, the apparatus disclosed herein enables the method of making a fiber reinforced gum correction device to be automated, thereby improving the accuracy of the resulting appliance and increasing the efficiency of the manufacturing process.

The apparatus comprises: a line bending unit for continuously coating the one or more lengths along one or more lengths of the fibers coated with the monomer resin based on digital information associated with the tooth dissection of a different patient Fiber forming of the monomer resin; and a spot curing unit for spot-curing the shaped portion of one or more of the fibers coated with the monomer resin as the forming step is carried out. Details of the wire bending unit and the spot curing unit have been discussed above.

In various implementations, the wire bending unit includes a six degree of freedom line bend.

The spot curing unit can include a radiation source and a radiation focusing assembly. For example, the radiation source can be selected from the group consisting of: an infrared radiation source, a visible radiation source, an ultraviolet radiation source, an x-ray source, a gamma ray source, a beta particle source, and a high energy electron source. And their combinations. The radiation focusing assembly can include an optical lens. In various embodiments, the spot curing unit is configured to produce a maximum width in the range of from about 2 mm to about 10 mm (eg, from about 4 mm to about 10 mm, from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, from about 8 mm to about Spots of 10 mm, about 2 mm to about 8 mm, about 2 mm to about 5 mm, about 3 mm to about 8 mm, or about 4 mm to about 6 mm are focused radiation. In a particular embodiment, the spot curing unit is configured to produce spot focused radiation having a maximum width in the range of from about 3 mm to about 5 mm.

As described above, the formed portion of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin may be subjected to spot curing at the same time as the forming step is carried out or a predetermined period of time after the forming step is carried out. In various embodiments, the spot curing unit is used within 15 seconds after the formed portion is formed (eg, 12 seconds, 10 seconds, 8 seconds, 6 seconds, 5 seconds, 3 after the formed portion is formed). The formed portion of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin is subjected to spot curing in seconds or 1 second. In a particular embodiment, the spot curing unit is configured to spot cure the formed portion as the formed portion of the one or more resin coated fibers is formed.

In order to transport one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin for forming by a wire bending unit, the device may further comprise a wire pulling unit for pulling the one or more resin coated with a monomer. The fibers pass through the wire bending unit. As described above, the wire pulling unit can cooperate with the wire bending unit to provide movement of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin through the wire bending unit, and thereby can be based on the wire bending unit The one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin are continuously formed along the length of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin for individual patient related anatomical information.

As noted above, digital data associated with the anatomy of a particular patient may be stored in a remote location or may not be stored on the device. Thus, the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin are continuously formed along the length of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin based on the digital information associated with the tooth dissection of a different patient. The step can include extracting the digital information from an external data server.

Therefore, the device disclosed herein may further comprise a communication unit adapted to remotely communicate data with an external device. The communication unit can be adapted to pass through a network (for example, a local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a Wireless wide area network (WWAN), a virtual private network (VPN), a cellular network, a wireless network, a wired network, an Internet, an internal network ( Intranet), a satellite communication network, Bluetooth, infrared, and combinations thereof. Therefore, the communication unit can be used to connect to one of the Internet data machines or can be connected to a mobile communication unit (for example, a cellular phone). The device may also include a data storage unit for storing digital information.

In various embodiments, the apparatus for making a fiber reinforced gum aligner further includes a forming unit. The molding unit may include: a reservoir for receiving the monomer resin; and a conveying mechanism for conveying one or more fibers through the reservoir, and coating the one or more with the monomer resin One of the outer surfaces of each of the fibers to form one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin. The transport mechanism can include one or more rollers. Details of the forming unit including the reservoir and the conveying mechanism have been described above.

In certain embodiments, the transport mechanism is configured to transport one or more fibers through the reservoir such that one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin enter the reservoir when the one or more fibers enter the reservoir Leave the reservoir on the same side. Since the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin leave the reservoir on the same side as the one or more fibers enter the reservoir, the molding unit can be horizontally disposed, such as shown in FIG. Molding unit.

The apparatus disclosed herein may further comprise a preforming unit for bundling a plurality of fibers coated with a monomer resin to form a bundle of fibers. The preforming unit can be disposed downstream of the forming unit to enable coating of the one or more fibers with the monomer resin prior to bundling. In various embodiments, the preformed unit comprises a preformed roll. The details of the preformed unit have been discussed above.

In various embodiments, the apparatus disclosed herein further includes a forming portion having an inner wall defining an opening for defining one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin. Cross sectional size and / or cross sectional shape. As noted above, the contoured portion can be programmable in that the size and/or shape of the aperture can be varied depending on the particular requirements of the fiber reinforced gum corrector.

The apparatus disclosed herein may further comprise: a conditioning unit for trimming the cured fibers to a desired length; and/or a marking unit for forming a single mark at a central portion of the formed fiber or having formed Two marks are formed at one of the center and one side of the fiber.

Advantageously, some or all of the above units and components can be housed in a housing. The housing protects the unit housed inside and can impart portability to the device, i.e., the device can be easily carried or transported. It is conceivable that for different implementations (for example different models of equipment), a combination of the above-mentioned units (for example a forming unit, a preforming unit, a forming unit, a line pulling unit, a finishing unit, and/or a marking unit) can be included. Inside the housing.

Depending on the combination of units in the housing, a transport unit may be present in the apparatus to transfer the fibers to the various units in the apparatus. Any transport unit that can operate to transfer fibers from various units in the apparatus can be used. For example, the transport unit can be a plurality of rollers, a conveyor belt, or a plurality of robot arms. There may also be a loading unit and an unloading unit suitable for loading and unloading fiber and/or fiber reinforced gum aligners from the device.

In another aspect, various embodiments are also directed to the use of a method according to the first aspect or apparatus according to the third aspect for making a fiber reinforced gum correction device. As described above, the methods and apparatus disclosed herein can improve the accuracy of the resulting appliance and increase the efficiency of the manufacturing process.

The invention has been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgenus belonging to the general disclosure also forms part of the invention. This includes a general description of the invention, and there are additional conditions or negligence limitations for the removal of any subject matter, whether or not the material removed is specifically recited herein.

Other implementations exist within the scope of the following patent application and non-limiting examples. In addition, in describing the features or aspects of the present invention in accordance with the Markush group, those skilled in the art will recognize that the individual members or subgroup members of the Markush group can also be used to illustrate this invention.

Although the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art Various changes in the invention are made in the form and details.

Claims (34)

 A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced orthodontic appliance, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing one or more monomers coated with a monomer resin, b) Digitally relating to the tooth dissection of another patient and continuously shaping the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin along the length of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin, and c) As the forming step is carried out, the formed portion of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin is spot-cured to obtain the fiber-reinforced gingival braces.    The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin comprises coating the outer surface of each of the one or more fibers with a monomer resin.    The method of claim 2, wherein the step of coating the outer surface of each of the one or more fibers with a monomer resin comprises delivering the one or more fibers through one of the monomers containing the monomer A reservoir, such that the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin exit the reservoir on the same side as the one or more fibers enter the reservoir.    The method of claim 3, wherein the step of transporting the one or more fibers through the reservoir containing the monomer resin is performed using a plurality of rollers.    The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of fibers coated with a monomer resin are provided.    The method of claim 5, further comprising bundling the plurality of fibers coated with the monomer resin to form a bundle of fibers.    The method of claim 6, wherein the step of bundling the plurality of fibers coated with the monomer resin comprises transporting the fibers coated with the monomer resin through a pre-shaping unit, The preforming unit is used to bundle the fibers coated with the monomer resin to form the bundled fibers.    The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising conveying the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin through an opening defined by an inner wall of one of the forming parts Wherein the opening is for defining a cross-sectional dimension and/or a cross-sectional shape of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin.    The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin is continuously used according to the digital information associated with the tooth dissection of a different patient The step of forming one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin is carried out using a wire bending unit.    The method of claim 9, wherein the wire bending unit comprises a six freedoms wire bending part.    The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin is continuously used according to the digital information associated with the tooth dissection of a different patient The step of forming one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin includes extracting the digital information from an external data server.    The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin is continuously used according to the digital information associated with the tooth dissection of a different patient The step of forming one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin comprises pulling the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin through the wire bending unit by a wire pulling unit.    The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the step of spot curing the one or more coated resin-coated fibers comprises irradiating the focused blue light to the Formed on the part.    The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising trimming the (etc.) cured fibers to a predetermined length.    The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising forming a mark at a central portion and/or a side portion of the formed fiber.    A fiber reinforced gum aligner manufactured by the method of any one of claims 1 to 15.    An apparatus for manufacturing a fiber reinforced gum aligner, the apparatus comprising: a) a line bending unit for coating a monomer resin along one or more layers based on digital information associated with the tooth anatomy of a different patient The length of the fibers continuously shapes the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin; and b) a spot curing unit for coating the one or more coatings as the forming step is performed A shaped portion of the fibers of the bulk resin is subjected to spot curing.    The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a reservoir for receiving a monomer resin.    The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a transport mechanism for transporting one or more fibers through the reservoir, and coating each of the one or more fibers with the monomer resin One of the outer surfaces to form the one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin.    The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transport mechanism is configured to transport the one or more fibers through the reservoir such that the one or more fibers coated with a monomer resin are in the one or more fibers Leave the reservoir on the same side as the reservoir.    The apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein the delivery mechanism comprises one or more rollers.    The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 20, further comprising a pre-forming unit for bundling a plurality of fibers coated with a monomer resin to form a bundle of fibers.    The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the preformed unit comprises a preformed roll.    The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 20, further comprising a forming portion having an inner wall defining an opening for defining the one or more coated monomers The cross-sectional size and/or cross-sectional shape of the fibers of the resin.    The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the line bending unit comprises a six degree of freedom line bend.    The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 20, further comprising a wire pulling unit for pulling the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin through the wire bending unit.    The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the spot curing unit comprises a radiation source and a radiation focusing component.    The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the radiation source is selected from the group consisting of: an infrared radiation source, a visible radiation source, an ultraviolet radiation source, an x-ray source, a gamma ray source, and a beta particle source. , a high-energy electron source, and combinations thereof.    The device of claim 27, wherein the radiation focusing component comprises an optical lens.    The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the spot curing unit is configured to generate spot focused radiation having a maximum width in a range from about 3 millimeters (mm) to about 5 millimeters.    The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the spot curing unit is configured to form the formed portion immediately after the one or more fibers coated with the monomer resin are molded. Part of the spot is cured.    The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 20, further comprising a finishing unit for trimming the (or other) cured fibers to a predetermined length.    The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 20, further comprising a marking unit for forming a mark at a central portion and/or a side portion of the fiber.    The use of the method of any one of claims 1 to 15 or the apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 33 for the manufacture of a fiber reinforced gum aligner.