Whilst many of the major recent advances in orthodontics have revolved around the digital world – intra-oral scanning, digital models and archwires bent by robots just to name a few – there are still lots of improvements being made in the world of orthodontic product development.
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Improvements in manufacturing processes are one example which has a significant flow-on effect to orthodontics; some new buccal tubes from TOMY in Japan are a great example of this.
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In this case, the very latest metal injection molding techniques have been used to manufacture a new second molar tube called a D-Tube which have all the features and benefits of modern buccal tubes but without the bulkiness of traditional tubes.
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To the naked eye these tubes appear the same as most other tubes available today. However, upon close inspection there some amazing differences in detail:
- the external walls of these D-tubes are extremely thin – which reduces the size considerably and takes them away from occlusion
- the mesial entrance has a perfectly formed funnel for easy wire insertion
- built-in grooves to assist with ligation
- smoothed, polished surfaces for patient comfort
All of these features are only possible because of modern manufacturing technology and micro-engineering.
For more information, please contact us.