Thornton Cleveleys (UK) – With a new product for the treatment of bruxism and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), RelaxBogen GmbH of Hamelin, Germany, combined innovative design and a proven biocompatible high-performance plastic; PEEK polymers from Invibio™ Biomaterial Solutions. For more than a decade they have been used in implantable medical devices. Now PEEK will bring considerable relief to people suffering from para-/dysfunctions of the jaw.
Bruxism and TMD are diseases of the masticatory organ, which are widespread and closely associated with one another. The German Dental Association estimates that up to 10% of men and up to 15% of women in Germany are affected by these conditions, especially in the age group between 35 and 45 years. While bruxism manifests itself as an unconscious grinding and pressing together of the teeth during the course of the day, a TMD expresses itself primarily in an abnormal movement of the jaw and in tensions in the throat, neck and jaw muscles.
RelaxBogen™, which was developed by an interdisciplinary team comprising of specialists in dentistry and physical therapy, is now available. It offers the attending therapist a new means of relieving jaw dysfunctions. The product can be used all day long and makes use of the anatomic conditions of the jaw in order to call the parafunction and the unnatural tension to the attention of the patient. At the same time, the medical device can promote relaxation of the muscles of mastication.
“The use of PEEK-CLASSIX, along with other high quality components, has enabled us to develop an easy to use, lightweight and user friendly treatment alternative for the named disease conditions,” explains Jochen Lambers, dentist and developer of RelaxBogen. “As a result of the Invibio plastic’s characteristic combination of strength and long service life without premature material fatigue, it was possible to realize a minimalistic and comfortable-to-wear product, which will undoubtedly enjoy a high level of acceptance with the patients,” adds Christoph Seidenstücker, General Manager of RelaxBogen GmbH. Thanks in part to these material properties and others – such as outstanding biocompatibility, design latitude, and the inconspicuous appearance of the neutral colored material – new application areas for biocompatible PEEK polymers from Invibio are being continuously developed, including spine implants, dental prostheses, or the treatment of traumas and fractures.
RelaxBogen GmbH is a young and ambitious company with a highly promising concept for the treatment of bruxism and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Further information is available on the website www.relaxbogen.de. Invibio is the world’s leading supplier of PEEK polymer-based biomaterials, and also offers fabrication, research and development services for medical device manufacturers. This enables the suppliers of medical devices and components to significantly shorten the time between the initial idea and the ultimate marketing of a product. These capabilities are also facilitated by Invibio test laboratories’ recently acquired accreditation according to ISO 17025:2005 by the British accreditation office UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service). It confirms the validity of the test results generated in-house according to the certified standards, thereby eliminating the need for a time consuming review by third-party laboratories.
Invibio™, a Victrex plc company, has grown significantly since pioneering PEEK biomaterial in 1999, evolving from a materials supplier to an industry-leading provider of biomaterial solutions. During that time the company has worked with world class research institutions, to develop and commercialize six implantable PEEK grades. Today, Invibio’s PEEK-OPTIMA™ polymers are used in more than four million implanted devices worldwide.
Victrex, headquartered in the UK, is an innovative world leader in high performance polymer solutions focused on the Aerospace, Automotive, Electronics, Energy and Medical markets. Every day, millions of people rely on products or applications which contain our polymers, from smartphones, airplanes and cars to oil & gas operations and medical devices. With over 35 years’ experience, we are investing in technical excellence to deliver leading edge solutions to our customers and our markets, and to drive value for our shareholders. Find out more at www.victrexplc.com
Andrew Roberts, Invibio Marketing Communications Manager
agroberts@invibio.com
phone: +44 1253 898058
mobile: +44 7876 884895
Beate Sauer, PR & Marketing Communications Manager
bsauer@victrex.com
phone: +49 (0) 61 92 / 96 49 19
Andrew Hanson, Head of Investor Relations & Communications
ahanson@victrex.com
phone: +44 12538 98121