Clear Aligner Cavity Geometry for Precise Tooth Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for aligning teeth, such as braces and transparent shell appliances, often fail to achieve complex tooth movements efficiently and uniformly, leading to suboptimal results and user compliance issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of polymeric shell appliances configured to apply activation forces in directions opposite to intended tooth movement, utilizing differential moments and counter moments to control tooth movement, with engagement structures and cavities shaped to correspond to tooth profiles, and processed using 3D printing or thermoforming to enhance precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transparent shell appliances are used to move teeth, then teeth can be moved to target positions, but the force applied to each tooth may not be ideal and movement may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance is segmented into multiple engagement structures, each applying force to specific teeth or groups of teeth. This allows differential force application where each tooth receives optimized force magnitude and direction tailored to its specific movement requirements, resolving the contradiction between achieving precise movement and applying ideal force.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the appliance have different geometric configurations to apply different forces to different teeth. The engagement structures are locally optimized with varying shapes, sizes, and orientations to provide site-specific force characteristics, enabling precise control of force application at each tooth location while achieving overall treatment goals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If braces are used to move teeth, then complex tooth movements can be achieved, but braces are cumbersome to wear and require expertise to place
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible polymeric shell appliance that covers the teeth rather than rigid brackets and wires. This thin film approach provides the versatility to achieve complex tooth movements through carefully designed engagement structures while being comfortable to wear and simple for patients to insert and remove themselves, eliminating the need for professional placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance is designed to be self-applied by patients without professional assistance. The flexible shell can be easily inserted over the teeth and removed when needed, giving patients control over their own treatment process while the engineered engagement structures ensure complex movements are achieved through patient-compliant wear.
3Measurement precision
If cavities are shaped to position tooth at final intended position, then tooth can be moved to target, but force applied decreases as tooth moves toward target and movement may not be uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structures are designed with dynamic geometric features that adapt as teeth move. The shapes incorporate cams, wedges, or other dynamic elements that automatically adjust force magnitude and direction during the movement process, maintaining optimal force levels throughout the entire treatment duration rather than force decreasing as the target is approached.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance geometry is pre-configured to anticipate and compensate for force decay during tooth movement. By incorporating built-in mechanical advantage features and strategic engagement point locations in the initial design, the system maintains sufficient force application throughout the movement trajectory, ensuring uniform progress toward the target position.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Polymeric shell appliances are provided in which the polymeric shell appliances are configured to provide one or more activation forces to facilitate tooth movement. In many embodiments, the activation forces are arranged to provide force in a direction opposite to an intended direction of tooth movement. The polymeric shell appliances may comprise one or more tooth receiving cavities, in which each of the plurality of tooth receiving cavities is shaped and arranged to provide a counter moment of each of the plurality of teeth.