United States Patent (19)
`Tanaka et al.
`
`11)
`45
`
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`4,490,112
`Dec. 25, 1984
`
`54 ORTHODONTIC SYSTEMAND METHOD
`75 Inventors:
`Susumu Tanaka, Suwa; Takehiko
`Daisaku, Kodaira; Yoshihide Suda,
`Tokyo, all of Japan
`73) Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha;
`Takehiko Disaku, both of Tokyo,
`Japan
`21 Appl. No.: 414,189
`22 Filed:
`Sep. 2, 1982
`51 int. Cl................................................. A61C 7/00
`52 U.S. C. ...................................................... 433/20
`58) Field of Search ........................... 433/20; 428/960
`56)
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,037,324 6/1977. Andreasen ............................ 433/20
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Effect of Low Temperature Phase Changes on Mechan
`ical Properties of Alloys Near Composition T.N., by
`Buehler et al., Journal of Applied Physics vol. 34 No. 5,
`May 1961.
`
`"Metals That Remember' by Hansen, Science 81, Jun.
`81, pp. 44-47.
`Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Blum, Kaplan, Friedman,
`Silberman & Beran
`ABSTRACT
`57
`An orthodontic system including an ultraelastic arch
`wire having a transformation temperature of normal
`body temperature of about 37 C. is provided. Only a
`small load is applied to the teeth when the orthodontic
`system is disposed in a patient's mouth. An increased
`load is applied to the teeth only when the temperature
`in the mouth is increased by placing a material having a
`higher than body temperature in the mouth. As a result,
`the temperature in the patient's mouth can be controlled
`without inflicting pain during natural every day actions.
`The orthodontic effect is available intermittently by
`raising the mouth temperature for producing higher
`stress or load which serves to move the teeth orthodon
`tically. The ultaelastic alloy is preferably Ni-Ti alloy
`containing at least about 50.5 atomic percent of nickel
`and preferably about 50.7 atomic percent.
`
`11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`COOK
`Exhibit 1011-0001
`
`

`

`US. Pamm
`
`Dec. 25, R984;
`
`494%93112
`
` 1.040
`
`6
`
`4 2 0
`
`(K?)
`
`F/ 69. i
`
`AMOMVT 0F 75/1/5ng
`
`DEFOE/VM 770M (%) '
`
`60 °C
`
`37°C
`
`LOAD
`
`(3,)
`
`F/ G: 2
`
`700
`
`50
`
`0
`
`2
`
`4
`
`6
`
`AMOUNT OF BEND/N6
`
`05/603444 770M (mm)
`
`F/ 6:91 5’
`
`COOK
`
`Exhibit 1011-0002
`
`COOK
`Exhibit 1011-0002
`
`

`

`ORTHODONTC SYSTEMAND METHOD
`
`10
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`25
`
`4,490, 112
`2
`balance titanium having a transformation temperature
`of about 37 C. or normal body temperature. This per
`mits applying a very small load to the teeth when the
`orthodontic system is installed in a patient's mouth and
`increasing the orthodontic load to the teeth when the
`temperature in the mouth is increased by taking in a
`high temperature material, such as hot water. Utilizing
`a orthodontic system whose transformation tempera
`ture is about normal body temperature permits intermit
`tently varying the orthodontic load applied to the teeth
`to promote orthodontic movement of the teeth more
`effectively. Preferably the orthodontic member in ac
`cordance with the invention is formed from a Ni-Ti
`alloy containing 50.7 atomic percent nickel.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to pro
`vide an improved orthodontic system.
`It is another object of the invention to provide an
`improved orthodontic system for intermittently varying
`the load applied to promote orthodontic movement of
`teeth more effectively.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide an
`improved orthodontic system wherein intermittently
`varying orthodontic loads are applied in response to the
`temperature of the patient's mouth.
`Still a further object of the invention is to provide an
`improved orthodontic member for applying a varying
`orthodontic load in response to the temperature of the
`patient's mouth.
`Yet another object of the invention is to provide an
`improved orthodontic system including an orthodontic
`member of a Ni-Ti alloy.
`Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an
`improved orthodontic system wherein the orthodontic
`member is a Ni-Ti alloy containing from about 50.5 to
`51.0 atomic percent nickel.
`Another object of the invention is to provide an im
`proved method of promoting orthodontic movement of
`teeth.
`Still other objects and advantages of the invention
`will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from
`the specification.
`The invention accordingly comprises the several
`steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with
`respect to each of the others, and the apparatus em
`bodying features of construction, combination of ele
`ments and arrangement of parts which are adapted to
`effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following
`detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will
`be indicated in the claims.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to a novel orthodontic system
`and orthodontic method for the orthodontic movement
`of malaligned teeth and more particularly to a system
`utilizing an ultraelastic material which applies a variable
`orthodontic load in response to temperature change.
`Conventional systems for the orthodontic movement
`of teeth have usually been based on the elasticity of a
`metal wire. A load created by bending a metal wire is
`applied to the tooth to be corrected in order to move it
`in the direction of the load. Such conventional systems
`utilize orthodontic metal wires formed from stainless
`steel, a Co-Cr based alloy or an intensly worked Ni-Ti
`alloy. The elasticity of these wires is represented by the
`proportional elastic limit of the metal or alloy involved.
`The Ni-Ti alloy has a higher proportional elastic limit
`20
`than the stainless steel or other alloys. However, the
`Ni-Ti alloy does not exhibit elongation exceeding about
`2% in a tensile test. The stainless steel and other alloys
`show elongation which is less than 1%. Thus, if the wire
`is bent or pulled beyond its proportional elastic limits it
`undergoes plastic deformation. Excessive deformation
`is unpredictable in the conventional wires. This small
`proportional elastic limit means that the orthodontic
`effect obtained is relatively small.
`The elasticity of the conventionally utilized metallic
`materials is an inherent property thereof which is diffi
`cult to modify by heat treatment or otherwise. Specifi
`cally, it is not possible to heat treat an intensively
`worked Ni-Ti alloy, since heat treatment reduces by
`about one-half the proportional elastic limits which has
`been obtained by the intense working. U.S. Pat. No.
`4,037,324 utilizes one such alloy wherein a stoichiomet
`ric alloy of Niand Ti, specifically the atomic ratio of Ni
`to Ti is 1:1. An orthodontic system based on this alloy
`presents practical problems when utilized in that a pa
`tient undergoes intense pain, often with the dental peri
`40
`osteum suffering from interruption in blood circulation.
`This occurs because the transformation temperature
`(which is the lowest temperature wherein the ultraelas
`tic effect occurs) is 26.7 to 32.2° C., a temperature
`lower than normal body temperature. Thus, the large
`load is applied continually to the teeth at all times that
`the orthodontic system is disposed in the patient's
`mouth. This system based on the stoichiometric alloy of
`Ni and Tiis not fully satisfactory from the point of view
`of the patient's comfort.
`50
`Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an
`orthodontic system which overcomes the shortcomings
`of the prior art systems. Such a system would apply a
`very small load to the teeth when the orthodontic sys
`tem is disposed in a patient's mouth, and only apply an
`increase load when the temperature in the mouth is
`increased by taking in a material having a temperature
`above body temperature.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`60
`Generally speaking, in accordance with the inven
`tion, an orthodontic system including an orthodontic
`member which applies variable orthodontic load in
`response to a difference between normal body tempera
`ture and the temperature prevailing upon placement of 65
`a temperature affecting material in the mouth is pro
`vided. The orthodontic member is a Ni-Ti alloy con
`taining about 50.5 to 51.0 atomic percent nickel with the
`
`45
`
`55
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference
`is had to the following description taken in connection
`with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 are graphs illustrating the load-strain charac
`teristics obtained from tensile test of an ultraelastic wire
`utilized in an orthodontic device prepared in accor
`dance with the invention;
`FIG. 2 are graphs showing the load-strain character
`istics obtained from bending tests of the same wire uti
`lized in FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the principle of
`the orthodontic movement of teeth utilizing the ultra
`elastic wire in accordance with the invention.
`
`COOK
`Exhibit 1011-0003
`
`

`

`3
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`The physiological aspects of the orthodontic system
`constructed and arranged in accordance with the inven
`tion will now be described. Generally, a substantially
`constant orthodontic load has been applied in orthodon
`tic systems. However, in accordance with the inven
`tion, an intermittently varying load is applied to pro
`mote orthodontic movement of the teeth effectively.
`10
`More specifically, the orthodontic movement of the
`teeth in accordance with the invention utilizes a varia
`tion in the temperature in the mouth. The orthodontic
`member applies an orthodontic load which varies in
`response to a difference in the temperature of the mouth
`between normal body temperature (37° C) and the
`higher or lower temperature wherein a high tempera
`ture effecting material, such as hot water or food, or a
`cold material, such as cold water or ice has been placed
`in the mouth. The orthondontic load increases in re
`20
`sponse to an increase in the temperature of the mouth.
`The orthodontic system in accordance with the inven
`tion facilitates effective orthodontic treatment, since the
`patient takes at least some of such temperature effecting
`materials every day. Additionally, such materials can be
`25
`taken consciously so as to apply the orthodontic load
`selectively.
`The application of an intermittently varying load to
`the human body is physiologically more effective, and
`can complete orthodontic treatment more quickly than
`30
`application of a constant load. In accordance with the
`invention, it is sufficient normally to maintain a light
`orthodontic load. In fact, no load need be maintained
`when the mouth is at normal body temperature. A maxi
`mum load can be selected to be applied only when a
`35
`certain temperature affecting material is placed in the
`mouth. Thus, it is possible to avoid pain or discomfort
`on the part of the patient to a great extent. A light load
`which is normally maintained is at a level which dis
`comfort is negligible for the patient and will remove
`40
`any mental discomfort during the time of orthodontic
`treatment which usually extends over an appreciable
`period of time.
`Previously it was believed that maximum orthodontic
`force must be applied for moving the teeth. However, in
`45
`accordance with the invention the orthodontic load is
`applied and released to move the teeth intermittently. A
`compressed region is formed on the dental periosteum
`on the side of the tooth in the direction in which it is
`being moved and formation of osteoclasts causes ab
`50
`sorption on the alveolar wall. A pulled zone is formed
`on the dental periosteum on the opposing side. The
`activity of bone-forming cells results in addition on the
`opposite alveolar wall.
`When the orthodontic system in accordance with the
`invention is utilized, the dental periosteum does not
`suffer from any interruption in blood circulation. This is
`due to the fact that maximum load bears only temporar
`ily on the tooth and is maintained at a comfortable level
`otherwise. Additionally, the variable load promotes
`formation of the osteoclasts and bone-forming cells for
`enhancing the progress of the orthodontic treatment.
`Having discussed the advantages of the orthodontic
`system in accordance with the invention, a method for
`orthodontic treatment may be carried out by utilizing
`an orthodontic device which will not be described.
`The orthodontic system in accordance with the in
`vention is formed utilizing a material exhibiting ultra
`
`4,490,112
`4.
`elasticity, for example an utlraelastic Ni-Ti alloy. Ultra
`elasticity is a property, entirely different from the pro
`portional elastic limit of conventionally available metal
`lic materials. An ultraelastic material returns to its origi
`nal shape upon removal of the deforming load even if
`deformation of about 8% is imposed during a tensile
`test. This high elastic deformability permits bending or
`pulling required for any orthodontic purposes.
`When the ambient temperature of the orthodontic
`device changes, the device applies a load which varies
`in response to the temperature change in such a fashion
`that the load increases with an increase in temperature.
`This is due to the fact that in the range of ultraelasticity,
`the stress (or load) is substantially constant, and is pro
`portional to the temperature. The variation in stress (or
`load) with a change in temperature is a feature not
`found in other materials. This feature enables variation
`in orthodontic load with a temperature variation selec
`tively caused by the temperature of a material placed in
`the mouth.
`In order to provide an orthodontic device having
`these desired properties, it is not sufficient merely to
`utilize an ultraelastic Ni-Ti alloy, but it is necessary to
`select an appropriate alloy composition. Additionally, it
`is necessary to select appropriate conditions for the
`preparation of the orthodontic device by appropriate
`heat treatment. The utilimate properties of the ortho
`dontic device can also vary with the shape of the de
`vice, for example the diameter of the wire or the cross
`section. When these factors are appropriately consid
`ered with respect to one another, it is possible to pro
`vide the properties required for varying orthodontic
`purposes.
`The orthodontic system in accordance with the in
`vention will now be described in greater detail. Exam
`ples of ultraelastic metallic materials which can be uti
`lized in accordance with the invention include various
`alloys. Such alloys may include intermetallic com
`pounds of nickel and titanium, and also may be alloys of
`Cu and Zn; Cu, Zn and X, wherein X is Si, Sn, Al, etc.;
`Cu, Al and Ni; Au and Cd; Ag and Cd; Ni and Al; Cu,
`Au and Zn or Cu and Sn. The alloys are of the "thermo
`elastic' type having a superlattice and which undergo a
`martensitic transformation. Their ultraelasticity is de
`rived from the martensitic transformation caused by
`stress at a temperature range above the martensitic
`transformation temperature and the inverse transforma
`tion thereof. There is only a small degree of hysteresis in
`the normal and reverse transformation between the
`austenite and the martensite; therefore, these alloys
`undergo crystallographically reversible transformation.
`Crystallographic reversibility means not only the res
`torability of the austenitic structure, but also of its origi
`nal crystal orientation.
`An ultraelastic alloy of nickel and titanium is poly
`crystalline. Thus, it is an optimum material for ortho
`dontic devices, since it has excellent properties, includ
`ing corrosion resistance. As a result of recent research,
`not only are Ni-Ti alloys available, but it possible to
`obtain alloys containing copper, iron or cobalt instead
`of the nickel and which have a controlled transforma
`tion temperature, a low degree of hysteresis and a small
`difference in ultraelasticity when a load is applied and
`when the load is removed.
`The Ni-Ti alloy which contains at least 50.5 atomic
`percent nickel exhibits ultraelasticity of a temperature
`of about 37 C., which corresponds to the normal
`mouth or body temperature. An orthodontic member in
`
`65
`
`15
`
`55
`
`60
`
`
`
`COOK
`Exhibit 1011-0004
`
`

`

`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Temperature at which martensitic
`transformation begins:
`Temperature at which inverse
`martensitic transformation ends:
`Load-strain characteristics
`found from a tensile test:
`Load-strain characteristics
`found from a bending test:
`
`-40°C.
`
`5° C.
`
`See FIG. 1
`
`See FIG. 2.
`
`4,490,112
`5
`6
`accordance with the invention is formed preferably
`ture at which the alloy finishes inverse martensitic
`from an Ni-Ti alloy containing somewhat more nickel,
`transformation (Afpoint).
`namely about 50.7 atomic percent nickel was formed as
`In view of these characteristics it is necessary that the
`follows.
`orthodontic device in accordacne with the invention be
`A raw material containing 50.7 atomic percent nickel,
`formed from a material capable of undergoing inverse
`with the balance being titanium, was melted at a high
`martensitic transformation at a temperature below nor
`frequency vacuum furnace and the molten material was
`mal mouth temperature of 37 C. This is necessary in
`poured into a copper mold to form an ingot. The ingot
`order to retain the ultraelasticity at a temperature of at
`least 37 C. It is, thus, necessary to employ an alloy
`was forged into a billet and the billet was diedrawn into
`a wire having a diameter of 0.4 mm. The wire rod was
`containing between about 50.5 to 51.0 atomic percent,
`annealed during the drawing operation so that any fur
`or preferably 50.7 atomic percent, of nickel the balance
`ther drawing thereof might be performed smoothly.
`being titanium.
`The transformation temperature of an alloy may be
`The wire was polished to have a mirror surface and a
`affected by its heat treatment conditions. It is, therefore,
`final diameter of 0.37 mm. The wire was heat treated in
`necessary to anticipate that the orthodontic device will
`a vacuum furnace to remove any strain created during
`the drawing operation and obtain ultraelasticity. The
`be heat treated when it is installed, particularly by an
`orthodontist. Although it is desirable to employ a heat
`wire was heat treated under the following conditions:
`Temperature: 700° C.;
`treating furnace wherein the temperature can be con
`trolled, an orthodontist usually uses a more simple appa
`Treating time: One hour;
`ratus. The orthodontist will heat treat the wire by ap
`Cooling: The wire was left in the furnace to cool
`slowly.
`plying an electric current thereto and utilizing the heat
`generated by the electric resistence of the wire. A wire
`The properties of the heat treated wire were as fol
`treated by this method cools quickly and tends to have
`lows:
`a lower transformation temperature than that of a wire
`cooled slowly in a heat treating furnace.
`In view of this, if a wire provided to an orthodontist
`can furnish inverse martensitic transformation at a tem
`perature of 37 C. corresponding to normal body tem
`perature, subsequent heat treatment lowers its transfor
`mation temperature to a level below 37° C. and insures
`the satisfactory elasticity of the device at normal body
`temperatures. Thus, it is possible to preset a somewhat
`higher transformation temperature to provide for any
`further reduction thereof brought about by the faster
`cooling rate upon installation.
`An orthodontic device utilizing a wire formed in
`accordance with the invention will now be described by
`way of an example.
`An ultraelastic wire is prepared in a straight form so
`that it may be utilized for a variety of purposes. It is, of
`course, possible to prepare a wire in the shape of an arch
`like an array of teeth. An easier method for obtaining a
`more precise shape to place an ultraelastic wire in a
`mold having a desired shape and heat treat the same.
`This method facilitates realization of very complicated
`shapes. An orthodontist may heat treat the wire at a
`temperature of 200 C. or higher.
`Referring now to FIG. 3, an ultraelastic archwire 1 is
`fastened to a tooth 2 to be moved, and a first normal
`tooth 3 and a second normal tooth 4 on both sides
`thereof. Wire 1 may be fastened to the teeth by follow
`ing any conventional method in the art. For example, a
`bracket 5 can be bonded directly to each tooth, or
`welded to a metal ring fitted over a tooth. In FIG. 3, the
`pair of solid arcuate lines show the position of wire 1
`fastened only to normal teeth 3 and 4, while the broken
`lines show the position of wire 1 fastened to the mala
`ligned tooth 2 also. Archwire is placed under bending
`and tensile stresses along an array of teeth 3, 2 and 4 and
`a force (or load) which urges wire 1 to recover its origi
`nal shape bears on tooth 2 in the direction of the arrow.
`Tooth 2 is moved gradually by the load applied
`thereto and aligned correctly. Under normal circum
`stances, the temperature in the mouth is equal to the
`normal body temperature of 37 C., and therefore, ultra
`elastic wire 1 in accordance with the invention pro
`duces only a slight stress or load. However, once hot tea
`or coffee is taken into the mouth, or during a meal, the
`
`Referring now to FIG. 1, the load-strain characteris
`tics of the wire are shown. The characteristics of the
`35
`wire under load are shown by the solid line curves and
`the characteristics after removal of the load by the
`broken lines. Deformation and restoration of the wire
`took place at a fixed load both when the load was ap
`plied and removed. This is the feature called "ultraelas
`40
`ticity.” The lower curve represents test results obtained
`at ordinary body temperatures of 37 C. The upper
`curve illustrates the results obtained at a temperature of
`60° C. simulating the presence of a hot substance in the
`mouth. The graph indicates that a higher load for the
`45
`same amount of deformation is obtained at the higher
`temperature, the same phenomenon occuring both
`under low and upon removal of the load.
`FIG. 2 illustrates the bending characteristics of a 10
`mm long wire secured at one end with the load applied
`to the other end. The curves indicate that a greater load
`occurs at 60° C. than at 37 C. for the same amount of
`deformation. This tendency corresponds to that ob
`tained in the tensile tests. FIG. 2 also shows that the
`deformation of the wire beyond a certain level proceeds
`at a constant load. This feature is called "ultraelasticity
`in bending.'.
`The results of both the tensile and bending tests dem
`onstrate that the orthodontic device in accordance with
`the invention undergoes deformation or restoration at a
`60
`certain load depending upon the ambient temperature.
`This is true whether under load or after removal of the
`load. The load depends upon the martensitic transfor
`mation temperature of the material. More specifically,
`the ultraelastic load upon application thereof depends
`65
`on the temperature at which the alloy begins martens
`itic transformation (Ms point), while the ultraelastic
`load upon removal thereof depends upon the tempera
`
`50
`
`55
`
`COOK
`Exhibit 1011-0005
`
`

`

`4,490, 112
`8
`7
`temperature of the wire is raised temporarily to a higher
`tensitic transformation caused by stress at a temperature
`temperature in the range of, for example, 50 C. to 60
`above normal body temperature for selectively apply
`C. This elevated temperature produces a higher stress
`ing a variable orthodontic load in response to the differ
`or load which serves to move tooth 2 orthdontically. If
`ence between normal body temperature and a tempera
`on the other hand, cold water, ice or any other sub
`ture in the mouth above normal body temperature
`stance having a lower temperature than the normal
`caused by placing a temperature-affecting material hav
`mouth temperature is taken in, wire a produces a
`ing a temperature above normal body temperature in
`smaller stress or load which at times may be zero. Inter
`the mouth.
`mittent application of the load as hereinabove described
`2. The orthodontic member of claim i, wherein said
`is quite effective orthodontically.
`alloy is formed of principally an intermetallic con
`The orthodontic treatment of teeth with a device
`pound of nickel and titanium.
`prepared in accordance with the invention is initiated if
`3. The orthodontic member of claim 2, wherein the
`a hot or cold substance is placed in the mouth repeat
`inverse martensitic transformation of the Ni-Ti alloy
`edly. A correctly aligned array of teeth can be obtained
`terminates at a temperature below normal body temper
`usually after one to several months of such treatment.
`ature.
`Although a simple example has been described, the
`4. The orthodontic member of claim 3, wherein the
`invention is equally applicable to any more complicated
`Ni-Ti alloy comprises at least about 50.5 atomic percent
`orthodontic treatment of teeth. The use of an ultraelas
`nickel.
`tic wire is even more effective for such complicated
`5. The orthodontic member of claim 5 having the
`treatments. For example, the high elastic deformability
`shape of a wire with a diameter of about 0.4 mm before
`of the ultraeiastic wire in accordance with the invention
`polishing
`enables more effective simultaneous correction of a
`6. The orthodontic member of claim 3, wherein the
`plurality of malaligned teeth which have to be moved to
`Ni-Ti alloy comprises between about 50.5 and 51.0
`different degrees.
`atomic percent nickel with the balance titanium.
`It is obvious fom the foregoing description that the
`25
`7. The orthodontic member of claim 3, wherein the
`orthodontic system and orthodontic method in accor
`Ni-Ti alloy comprises about 50.7 atomic percent nickel
`dance with the invention provides a novel and effective
`with the balance titanium.
`means to correct the positioning of a malaligned tooth
`8. The orthodontic member of claim 4, wherein a
`or teeth selectively during very natural every day ac
`portion of the nickel is replaced by at least one of cop
`tions, such as drinking hot or cold water and eating of
`30
`per, iron and cobalt.
`meals, while relieving the patient of any orthodontic
`9. An orthodontic arch wire system comprising an
`pain. The orthodontic device in accordance with the
`orthodontic member comprising an orthodontic. mem
`invention provides a host of advantages derived from
`ber comprising a thermoelastic-type alloy which under
`full utilization of the ultraelasticity obtainable from an
`goes a martensitic transformation caused by stress at a
`alloy prepared in accordance with the invention.
`temperature above normal body temperature for selec
`It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above,
`tively applying a variable orthodontic load to mala
`among those made apparent from the preceding de
`ligned teeth in response to a temperature difference
`scription, are efficiently attained and since certain
`between normal body temperature and a temperature in
`changes may be made in carrying out the above method
`the mouth above normal body temperature caused by
`and in the construction set forth without departing from
`40
`placing a temperature-affecting material having a tem
`the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that
`perature above normal body temperature in the mouth.
`all matter contained in the above description and shown
`in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
`10. An orthodontic method for the orthodontic arch
`wire movement of teeth comprising coupling to the
`illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
`teeth to be moved an orthodontic member which under
`It is also to be understood that the following claims
`goes a martensitic transformation for select applying a
`are intended to cover all of the generic and specific
`variable orthodontic load in response to the difference
`features of the invention herein described, and all state
`between normal body temperature and a temperature
`ments of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of
`caused by placing a temperature-affecting material in
`language, might be said to fall therebetween.
`the mouth and selectively raising the temperature of the
`Particularly it is to be understood that in said claims,
`ingredints or compounds recited in the singular are
`mouth to above normal body temperature to increase
`the orthodontic load applied to said teeth.
`intended to include compatible mixtures of such ingre
`dients wherever the sense permits.
`11. The orthodontic member of claim , wherein the
`inverse martensitic transformation of Ni-Ti alloy termi
`What is claimed is:
`nates at a temperature above normal body temperature.
`1. An orthodontic arch wire member comprising an
`55
`alloy of the thermoelastic-type which undergoes a mar
`
`s
`
`k
`
`s:
`
`60
`
`65
`
`15
`
`20
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`COOK
`Exhibit 1011-0006
`
`