Adjustable Anchor Oral Apparatus for Mandibular Jaw Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic devices for altering the mandibular and maxillary dental relationship are often uncomfortable, aesthetically unpleasing, and have low compliance due to their bulkiness and frequent need for replacement, failing to effectively address Class II and Class III dental relationships and snoring issues.
Innovation Solution
An oral apparatus with adjustable anchor elements, comprising upper and lower trays with movable anchor members that adjust the positional relationship between the mandible and maxilla, allowing for customizable mandibular advancement to correct dental relationships and alleviate snoring, using a method that involves digital scanning, 3D modeling, and fabrication for a comfortable and aesthetic fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional orthodontic devices (elastics, headgear, bite correctors) are used to alter mandibular and maxillary relationship, then dental relationship correction is achieved, but comfort and aesthetics deteriorate due to bulkiness and visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The oral apparatus is divided into separate upper and lower trays that can be independently adjusted, allowing for customized fit and reduced bulkiness while maintaining correction effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor elements are designed to be adjustable and repositionable, enabling dynamic adaptation to changing dental relationships and patient comfort needs, rather than being fixed in static positions
2Reliability
If traditional orthodontic devices are used to correct Class II and Class III dental relationships, then dental alignment is improved, but device compliance decreases due to frequent replacement and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable anchor elements allow the device to adapt to progressive dental changes, eliminating the need for frequent replacements and maintaining patient compliance throughout the treatment period
Solution Approach 2:
The device parameters (anchor element positions, tray configurations) can be modified to accommodate treatment progression, extending the effective treatment duration without requiring device replacement
3Device complexity
If fixed anchor elements are used in oral apparatus, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different dental relationships and progressive adjustment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor elements are designed with movable and adjustable characteristics, allowing repositioning along the trays to adapt to different dental relationships while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable anchor elements can serve multiple functions (correcting Class II, Class III relationships, and providing progressive adjustment), reducing the need for multiple specialized devices
Data Source
AI summary
An oral apparatus for mandibular jaw manipulation is provided. The apparatus having an upper tray configured to receive a plurality of maxillary teeth and a lower tray configured to receive a plurality of mandibular teeth. The upper tray may optionally have one or more upper anchor members configured as adjustable upper anchor members coupled to the upper tray. The lower tray may optionally have one or more lower anchor members configured as adjustable lower anchor members coupled to the lower tray. Each upper anchor member, which may be adjustable, may be configured to contact a lower anchor member, which may be adjustable, to adjust the positional relationship between the mandible and the maxilla of a mouth when a user wearing the oral apparatus closes their mouth to bring the upper and lower anchor members into contact with each other.