Cellular Intraoral Appliances for Precise Orthodontic Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intraoral appliances often lack sufficient force generation and control over applied forces, providing inadequate mechanical properties such as Young's modulus and elongation rate, leading to inefficient tooth repositioning and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
Intraoral appliances with adaptive cellular materials and structures that provide customizable mechanical properties, including heterogeneous cell distributions and non-linear force/strain profiles, allowing for precise control over force application and reduced patient discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional homogeneous materials are used in intraoral appliances, then manufacturing is simple, but the appliances cannot provide sufficient force generation and control over applied forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different cellular structures within the appliance. Specifically, it uses a first cellular structure in a first region and a second cellular structure in a second region, where each structure has different mechanical properties. This allows different areas of the appliance to provide different force characteristics - some areas providing higher force generation while others provide better control, resolving the contradiction between force generation and control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple cellular structures with different properties within a single appliance. The first and second cellular structures are integrated to create a composite system that leverages the strengths of each structure type. This composite approach enables the appliance to simultaneously achieve sufficient force generation from one structure type and precise force control from another, while maintaining manufacturability through additive manufacturing processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional homogeneous materials are used in intraoral appliances, then the appliance structure is simple, but the elongation rate and Young's modulus cannot be optimized simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different cellular structures to different regions based on specific mechanical property requirements. The first cellular structure is optimized for one set of mechanical properties (e.g., higher Young's modulus) while the second cellular structure is optimized for different properties (e.g., higher elongation rate). This regional differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of multiple mechanical properties without requiring a completely complex appliance structure, as each region independently contributes its specialized characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the appliance into multiple regions, each with its own cellular structure optimized for specific mechanical properties. This segmentation allows independent optimization of Young's modulus and elongation rate in different areas. The segmented approach manages complexity by breaking down the overall appliance into manageable regions with distinct functions, making the complex mechanical property optimization achievable through modular design.
3Force
If cellular materials are used to enhance mechanical properties, then force control is improved, but fabrication becomes difficult or expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying cellular structure parameters (such as cell size, shape, density, and arrangement) to achieve desired force control characteristics. By controlling these parameters during additive manufacturing, the patent optimizes force control without requiring complex fabrication processes. The parameter-based approach allows standard additive manufacturing equipment to produce customized cellular structures with precise mechanical properties, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving superior force control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining different cellular structures that can be fabricated using established additive manufacturing techniques. The first and second cellular structures are designed to be compatible with standard manufacturing processes, avoiding the need for specialized or expensive fabrication methods. This composite approach achieves enhanced force control through material design rather than manufacturing complexity, resolving the contradiction between force control capability and ease of manufacture.
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
Enhances tooth repositioning effectiveness, extends appliance lifetime, and reduces discomfort by providing controlled mechanical properties tailored to individual patients.
Implementation Method 1
The first network of interconnected unit cells having a first elongation characteristic, the first elongation characteristic being characterized by a first elongation value
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for fabrication of intraoral appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a digital representation of a patient's dentition; receiving a treatment plan for the patient's dentition; generating a digital model of an intraoral appliance configured to implement at least one treatment stage of the treatment plan, where the intraoral appliance includes a cellular structure including a network of interconnected unit cells; and providing instructions to fabricate the intraoral appliance based on the digital model, where the instructions are configured to cause fabrication of the intraoral appliance from a plurality of additively manufactured layers.