Dental Ring

It is quite hard to work between teeth for a dentist. The teeth are packed together and if one has to drill, there is not enough space. However, teeth are somewhat flexible in the jaw, so they can be pushed apart by a small but firm dental ring. The existing rings are thrown away after usage, both because they become useless after plastic deformation, and because they cannot be sterilised. If a metal ring could be developed that is re-usable after sterilisation and shows no plastic deformation, this will yield a saving in practice.

Stress simulations dental ring

Simulate the mechanical stress in the ring at a maximal opening of 4 mm with Finite Element Method (FEM). Determine a form for which stress in the material remains in the elastic region. Propose a type of material that would be suitable.

FEM simulation

Together with the company R&D Extern Physixfactor has analysed several geometries of the ring and listed requirements for the material. R&D Extern has selected and suggested several high-end alloy steels, which have all been tested on performance in the ring model with FEM.

Results

The result is an improved geometry and alloy steel, so for the given maximal opening of the ring no plastic deformation will occur. This way the product can be re-used. In dentistry one can use this product more sustainably in practice now.