SBIR Phase I: Engineering a novel 3D metal printed orthodontic system for lingual attachment-enabled clear aligner therapy

这个SBIR第一阶段项目的更广泛的商业影响旨在优化新型三维(3D)金属打印正畸系统的后处理技术，以实现精确、个性化和美观的治疗。大约60%的成年人需要正畸治疗来改善他们牙齿的位置和功能；然而，成年人寻求正畸治疗的一个障碍是传统支具的吸引力和适度疼痛的性质。在这些患者中，多达80%的患者由于其咬合错误(牙齿定位不当)的严重程度，不适合使用透明矫正器进行治疗。这项拟议的创新是对Clear Aligner疗法的补充，该疗法将使所有患者都能够使用隐形正畸设备进行治疗，无论错牙合的严重程度如何。3D金属打印技术被用来制造定制的一体式金属附着体，该附着体带有一条拉线通道，放置在牙齿后部，与透明校正器一起使用。该产品的成功开发及其在牙科中的应用将把牙齿移动的范式转变为美学和有效的个性化治疗，每年为数百万患者减少最少的牙齿和最大程度的舒适性。这项技术面向300亿美元的市场。拟议中的项目将优化3D金属打印，使其成为一项用于人体正畸设备的高潜力技术。虽然添加制造是用金属粉末制造独特的3D结构，但逐层沉积会导致梯形结构和高表面粗糙度。此外，激光烧结会产生丰富的碳化铬晶界，这是不可取的，因为它可能导致腐蚀在口腔环境中。制备3D金属打印矫治器以供口腔内使用的后处理技术尚未建立。这笔SBIR赠款的资金将用于完成以下目标：1)确定3D金属打印表面的抛光策略，以降低表面粗糙度并创建耐腐蚀的被动表面层；2)评估3D金属打印托槽的体外和体内生物兼容性。将探索各种抛光方法，包括热处理、化学溶液和用研磨介质滚动抛光。这项研究的结果将对每年寻求隐形正畸治疗的数百万患者以及许多医疗和牙科器械制造商产生影响，这些制造商正在开发定制的3D金属打印设备，以改善患者的结果。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project aims to optimize post-processing techniques of a novel three-dimensional (3D) metal-printed orthodontic system for precise, personalized, and esthetic treatment. Approximately 60% of adults need orthodontic treatment to improve the position and function of their teeth; however, an obstacle to adults seeking orthodontic treatment is the unattractiveness and moderately painful nature of traditional braces. Up to 80% of these patients are not candidates for treatment with clear aligners due to the severity of their malocclusion (improper positioning of teeth). The proposed innovation is a complement to clear aligner therapy that will enable all patients to be treated with an invisible orthodontic appliance, regardless of malocclusion severity. 3D metal printing technology is used to fabricate custom, one-piece, metal attachments with a wire-holding channel that are placed on the back of the teeth and used in conjunction with clear aligners. Successful development of this product and its implementation in dentistry will shift the paradigm of tooth movement towards esthetic and effective personalized treatment with minimum tooth reduction and maximum comfort for millions of patients per year. The technology addresses a $30 billion market.The proposed project will optimize 3D metal printing as a high-potential technology for use in human orthodontia devices. Although additive manufacturing fabricates unique 3D structures from metal powder, layer-by-layer deposition results in a ladder structure and high surface roughness. Further, laser sintering could yield enriched chromium carbide grain boundary, which is not desirable, as it may lead to corrosion in the oral environment. Post-processing techniques to prepare 3D metal printed appliances for intraoral use have not yet been established. The funds from this SBIR grant will be used to complete the following aims: 1) Determine a polishing strategy for finishing 3D metal printed surfaces that reduces the surface roughness and creates a passive surface layer that is resistant to corrosion; 2) Evaluate in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of the 3D metal printed brackets. A variety of polishing methods will be explored, including heat treatment, chemical solutions, and tumbling with an abrasive medium. The results of this research will be impactful to the millions of patients seeking invisible orthodontic treatment each year, as well as to the many manufacturers of medical and dental appliances that are developing custom 3D metal printed devices for better patient outcomes.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.