Orthodontic Aligner Outer Surface Occlusal Replication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic appliances cause discomfort due to additional elements that are not anatomically shaped, affecting adherence to orthodontic treatment and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The development of orthodontic aligners with outer surfaces that reproduce the occlusal surfaces of teeth in the desired occlusion, shifting current occlusal surfaces to achieve a more anatomically shaped fit, reducing discomfort and improving adherence to treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional elements (such as hooks, attachments, or interlocking features) are added to orthodontic aligners to retain the lower arch form in the desired position, then the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment is improved, but the comfort of the subject deteriorates due to non-anatomical shapes causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the harmful additional elements (hooks, attachments, interlocking features) from the orthodontic aligner design. Instead of adding external retention mechanisms, the patent uses the natural occlusal surfaces of the teeth themselves to provide retention through anatomically accurate outer surfaces that replicate the opposing arch's tooth surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different surface characteristics to different regions of the aligner. The outer surface is shaped to replicate the occlusal surfaces of the opposing arch for retention, while the inner surface maintains a smooth anatomical shape for comfort. This local differentiation allows the aligner to provide both effective retention and subject comfort simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the outer surface of the orthodontic aligner is shaped to reproduce occlusal surfaces of teeth for retention, then the lower arch form is retained in the desired position, but the complexity of manufacturing increases due to the need for precise 3D digital modeling and shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs the complex 3D digital modeling, occlusal surface extraction, and surface shifting operations during the digital design phase before manufacturing. By completing all the complex computational work upfront in the digital domain, the actual manufacturing process becomes simpler, requiring only additive manufacturing or thermoforming based on the pre-prepared digital model.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a digital copy of the opposing arch's occlusal surfaces and applies it to the outer surface of the aligner design. This copying approach, combined with automated digital shifting algorithms, simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex mechanical jigs or manual shaping operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for making an orthodontic appliance are provided, the method comprises: obtaining a 3D digital model comprising a plurality of vertices representative of surfaces of upper and lower teeth of a subject in a current occlusion therebetween; obtaining an indication of a desired occlusion between the upper and lower arch forms; determining, based on the desired occlusion, a shift value between the current occlusion and the desired occlusion; generating, based on the desired occlusion, an outer surface of the appliance 3D digital model corresponds to the respective occlusal surface portion of the given one of the upper and lower teeth having been repositioned towards the desired occlusion by the shift value.