Customized 3D Printed Toothbrush with Shape-Matched Cleaning Tips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes are ineffective in ensuring consistent and thorough cleaning of all tooth surfaces, particularly for users who struggle with technique or have difficulty reaching certain areas, such as the backs of molars. Additionally, existing toothpaste dispensers are inconvenient and often result in wastage or inconsistent application.
Innovation Solution
A dental care system featuring a customized dental cleaning device with shape-matched cleaning tips and a vibration pattern tailored to each user's dentition, along with a hands-free oral care agent dispenser that provides a precise amount of customized toothpaste based on individual dental information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional toothbrushes are used with manual brushing technique, then users can clean their teeth, but the cleaning effectiveness is highly dependent on user technique and duration which is difficult to master or apply consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The powered toothbrush performs the cleaning action automatically through motor-driven bristle vibration, eliminating the need for user technique. The device serves itself by providing consistent oscillating motion that ensures thorough cleaning without requiring user skill or attention to brushing pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush employs motor-driven mechanical vibration of the bristles at controlled frequencies and amplitudes to achieve effective cleaning. This vibration mechanism replaces manual brushing motions, providing consistent and reliable cleaning action that does not depend on user technique or duration control.
2Productivity
If conventional toothbrushes with single-sided brush heads are used, then the brush can be manufactured simply, but it takes many minutes to clean all teeth surfaces adequately
Solution Approach 1:
The brush head is divided into multiple functional zones with different bristle arrangements, densities, and angles targeting specific tooth surfaces. This segmentation allows simultaneous cleaning of multiple tooth surfaces including outer, inner, and chewing surfaces, dramatically increasing cleaning productivity without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush head design transitions from traditional single-sided contact to multi-dimensional engagement with teeth through varied bristle orientations and heights. This dimensional approach allows the brush to access and clean all tooth surfaces simultaneously or in rapid sequence, reducing total cleaning time while maintaining manageable device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If conventional toothpaste dispensers are used, then toothpaste can be applied to the brush, but the dispensing is inconvenient and often results in wastage or inconsistent application
Solution Approach 1:
The toothpaste dispenser system automatically dispenses the correct amount of toothpaste onto the brush head without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the dispensing process, ensuring consistent application amounts and eliminating the inconvenience of manual tube squeezing and cap recapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor and control the toothpaste dispensing process. This feedback system ensures precise measurement of the dispensed amount, maintains application consistency across different uses, and prevents wastage by dispensing only the required quantity.
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
The system achieves superior whole-mouth cleaning in a fraction of the time required by conventional methods, ensuring all tooth surfaces are adequately cleaned without causing discomfort, while minimizing toothpaste wastage and allowing for personalized oral care.
Implementation Method 1
The Bass Technique, for example, describes an optimal brushing technique in which the toothbrush head is vibrated while in contact with the tooth at an angle of about 45°.
Data Source
AI summary
The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for customizing dental care. In one aspect, personalized toothbrush devices are 3-D printed for a plurality of users. A 3-D dental model of a respective user's mouth is obtained, and a configuration for a mouthpiece of a respective personalized toothbrush device is determined. The respective personalized toothbrush device is 3-D printed, and includes a top cleaning tray, a bottom cleaning tray, and a set of cleaning elements, each customized based at least in part on the 3-D dental model of the respective user's mouth. Each personalized toothbrush device is 3-D printed for each respective user of the plurality of users, and is different from every other user's personalized toothbrush device.