Project Description
Project Overview: Polycarbonate (PC), styrene methyl methacrylate (SMMA), and copolyesters (Triton) are transparent polymeric materials with strong heat resistant properties. Alongside the strong thermal properties, they possess the preferred optical and mechanical properties fit for that of an oral retainer. These materials, though not necessarily used in current dental applications, are used in medical applications. All three of these materials will be applied to thermoforming techniques for Essix retainers. Polycarbonate and SMMA can both be sterilized using ethylene oxide (EtO) and gamma-beam irradiation. Tritan copolyester can be sterilized using electron and gamma-beam radiation. These are three of the major sterilization processes currently being used. These prototypes will be tested to determine their tensile strength, fracture resistance, hardness, and thermal properties, which will be used to determine the best material to use for an oral appliance that can withstand high temperature cleaning methods.
Client: Dr. Zachary McCallum, DDS, Middleton, WI
Advisor: Russ Haas, Capstone Instructor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Team: Austin Schwark, ajschwark@wisc.edu (Leader/Communicator)
Shianne Carroll, scarroll4@wisc.edu (Technical Engineer)
Lizzy Ploumidis, ploumidis@wisc.edu (Accountant)
