Clear Aligner Attachment Layout for Precise Tooth Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Clear aligners face limitations in precisely controlling individual tooth movements such as angulation, rotation, and extrusion due to limited types and quantities of attachments, making it difficult to determine their position and direction accurately.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for designing clear alignment attachments that determine the necessity of additional attachments using visual information, such as color maps, to indicate the position and direction of corrective force application, facilitating precise control over individual teeth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If clear aligners are used without additional attachments, then the treatment is aesthetically pleasing and simple, but the corrective force is insufficient and tooth movement control is imprecise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearance and simplicityVSAvoidtooth movement control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies attachments selectively only to teeth that require complex movements (angulation, rotation, extrusion) rather than all teeth. The system analyzes individual tooth movement requirements and places attachments locally where needed, maintaining aesthetic appearance while providing precise control where necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of tooth movement requirements using the determination unit before treatment begins. The system pre-identifies which teeth need attachments and their optimal positions, allowing for precise treatment planning that minimizes the number of attachments needed while ensuring adequate corrective force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple types of attachments are used for different tooth movements, then tooth movement control is improved, but the complexity of determining attachment position and direction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth movement control precisionVSAvoidattachment position and direction determination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an automated determination unit that self-analyzes tooth model data and setup model data to automatically identify which attachments are needed, their optimal positions, and their directions. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex manual analysis by clinicians, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback through the display unit, showing clinicians exactly where attachments should be placed and in what directions. This feedback mechanism simplifies the decision-making process by presenting clear, data-driven recommendations based on the analyzed tooth movement requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If attachments are placed on all teeth, then comprehensive tooth movement control is achieved, but the treatment time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive tooth movement controlVSAvoidtreatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of partial action by placing attachments only on the subset of teeth that require complex movements, rather than on all teeth. The determination unit identifies the minimum necessary number of attachments to achieve the desired treatment outcomes, reducing treatment complexity and time while maintaining comprehensive control where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12496165B2Clear alignment attachment design method and clear aligners

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 OSSTEMIMPLANT CO LTD

AI summary

A clear alignment attachment design method and clear aligners are disclosed. A clear alignment attachment design method and clear anglers, according to one embodiment, display and provide, on individual teeth, as identifiable visual information, whether an additional attachment needs to be attached during clear alignment, and thus can improve teeth-straightening speed and accuracy.