Active Orthodontic Attachment with Spring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic treatments using braces are cumbersome, require frequent dentist visits, and are unsightly and uncomfortable, while removable elastic positioning appliances have limited elasticity and cannot apply sufficient forces for complex tooth movements.
Innovation Solution
Active attachment devices that store mechanical energy and release it over time, interacting with polymeric shell dental appliances to apply controlled forces for extended periods and enable complex tooth movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional braces are used for orthodontic treatment, then teeth can be repositioned effectively, but the treatment becomes cumbersome, requires frequent dentist visits, and is unsightly and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active force-applying mechanism from the tooth structure and places it in the removable appliance. The attachment device with force-applying mechanism is bonded to the tooth, while the polymeric shell appliance is removable. This allows the tooth to remain anchored while the active components are removed and placed in a convenient removable format, eliminating the need for fixed braces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment device that bridges the tooth and the removable appliance. This attachment device includes a force receiving component on the tooth and a force transmitting component on the appliance, creating a mediator that transfers forces effectively while enabling removability and improving patient comfort.
2Ease of operation
If removable elastic positioning appliances are used, then patient comfort and convenience are improved, but the elasticity is limited and cannot apply sufficient forces for complex tooth movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-sprung attachment device with a force-applying mechanism that is activated when the removable appliance is placed on the teeth. The spring mechanism is pre-loaded and automatically engages to apply the necessary forces, eliminating the need for the patient to manually activate anything while ensuring sufficient force application for complex tooth movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functional components in a composite system: the polymeric shell appliance provides removability and comfort, while the attached spring mechanism provides active force application. This composite approach integrates the advantages of both removable convenience and active force generation that neither component could achieve alone.
3Device complexity
If a single removable appliance is used for all tooth movements, then the treatment process is simplified, but the appliance cannot provide sufficient and varied forces for complex tooth movements throughout treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the force application dynamic by incorporating a spring mechanism that can be adjusted or replaced between appliance changes. The spring provides variable forces that adapt to different treatment stages and tooth movement requirements, allowing a single appliance design to handle complex forces while maintaining treatment simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in force magnitude and direction by allowing replacement of the spring mechanism or adjustment of the force-applying components between appliance changes. This maintains the simplicity of using a single appliance type while providing the versatility needed for complex tooth movements through parameter variation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for prolonged and controlled tooth movement, reduces the number of appliances needed, and facilitates more effective orthodontic treatment with improved patient comfort and compliance.
Implementation Method 1
Active attachment devices that store mechanical energy and release it over time
Data Source
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AI summary
An active dental attachment. Specifically, an attachment device for interaction with a polymeric shell dental appliance is described. The attachment device includes an anchoring attachment body. A bonding surface is coupled to the anchoring attachment body, wherein the bonding surface is configured for anchoring the anchoring attachment body to a dental feature of a patient's dentition. A force-applying active mechanism is coupled to the anchoring attachment body. A polymeric shell dental appliance contact region is coupled to the force-applying active mechanism. The polymeric shell dental appliance contact region is configured to contact the force-applying active mechanism and apply a force generated by the force-applying active mechanism between the dental feature and the polymeric shell dental appliance when the polymeric shell dental appliance engages the force-applying active mechanism.