Interproximal Reinforcement in Clear Aligners for Root Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Clear tray aligners struggle to achieve difficult tooth movements such as root movements and rotations due to insufficient forces and moments, and the use of tooth attachments is time-consuming, aesthetically undesirable, and complicates removal.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of interproximal reinforcements in removable dental appliances that extend along the interproximal regions between teeth to apply force vectors, enhancing engagement and control tooth movements without the need for attachments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If tooth attachments are used to achieve difficult tooth movements, then force application capability is improved, but treatment time increases and aesthetics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce application capabilityVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance is segmented into multiple functional components: appliance body, interproximal reinforcements, and engagement features. The interproximal reinforcements are separate structural elements that extend between teeth to provide additional force application points, allowing complex tooth movements to be achieved through distributed force application rather than requiring time-consuming attachment bonding procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interproximal reinforcements extend in the interproximal dimension (between teeth) rather than only on tooth surfaces. This adds a new spatial dimension for force application, enabling the appliance to engage teeth from between them and apply forces for root movements and rotations without requiring attachments bonded to tooth surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Force

If tooth attachments are used to achieve difficult tooth movements, then force application capability is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce application capabilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the force application function from tooth-surface attachments and relocates it to interproximal structural elements. The interproximal reinforcements are integrated into the appliance body and extend between teeth, providing the necessary mechanical engagement for difficult tooth movements while remaining hidden from view, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The interproximal reinforcements act as intermediary structures that mediate between the appliance body and the teeth. These reinforcements extend into the interproximal spaces to provide engagement points for applying forces and moments, eliminating the need for visible attachments on tooth surfaces while still achieving the required mechanical effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If tooth attachments are used to achieve difficult tooth movements, then force application capability is improved, but appliance removal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce application capabilityVSAvoidappliance removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement between the appliance and teeth is made dynamic rather than static. The interproximal reinforcements are designed to provide flexible engagement that can adapt during wear but allows for easy release during removal, eliminating the permanent bonding requirement of attachments while maintaining force application capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If clear tray aligners are used without interproximal reinforcements, then appliance simplicity is maintained, but tooth movement capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappliance simplicityVSAvoidtooth movement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance maintains overall simplicity but introduces localized interproximal reinforcements only where needed for difficult tooth movements. These reinforcements are strategically positioned in interproximal regions to provide additional force application capability for specific teeth requiring root movements or rotations, while the rest of the appliance body remains simple and easy to manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12582506B2Removable dental appliance with interproximal reinforcement

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A removable dental appliance may include an appliance body at least partially surrounding a plurality of teeth and an interproximal reinforcement. The appliance body may include a first shell shaped to engage a first tooth and a second shell shaped to engage a second tooth. The interproximal reinforcement extends from a first gingival edge on a labial side of the appliance body along an interproximal region between the first tooth and the second tooth to a second gingival edge on a lingual side of the appliance body. The interproximal reinforcement is configured to engage at least one of a lingual surface or labial surface of the first tooth below a height of contour to enable the appliance body to cause movement of the first tooth toward a desired position.