Dental Aligners for Implant Accommodation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental implant positioning techniques often face challenges due to misaligned teeth obstructing desired implant placement, leading to compromised access, retention, and aesthetic issues, as well as prolonged treatment times and risks associated with traditional orthodontic treatments.

Innovation Solution

The use of a series of dental positioning adjustment appliances, including aligners made from polymeric materials, which reposition teeth to expose the implant location, allowing for earlier and more favorable placement of dental implants during orthodontic treatment, utilizing virtual models and 3D scanning for precise planning and incremental tooth movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional orthodontic treatment with dental braces is used to realign teeth before implant placement, then teeth can be properly aligned, but treatment time is prolonged and aesthetic appearance is compromised during treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth alignmentVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The orthodontic treatment is divided into multiple sequential aligner stages, each making incremental tooth movements. This segmentation allows for progressive realignment while maintaining aesthetic appearance, as each aligner is removable and less visible than traditional braces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Clear aligners serve as an intermediary device between traditional braces and the final implant placement. These aligners provide the necessary orthodontic forces to move teeth while being aesthetically pleasing and removable, thus compromising neither alignment effectiveness nor appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional orthodontic treatment with dental braces is used, then teeth can be realigned, but aesthetic appearance is compromised and risks associated with braces remain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth alignmentVSAvoidaesthetic compromise and treatment risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clear aligners are designed as a series of disposable, short-term appliances that are worn for specific periods and then replaced. Each aligner serves its purpose for a limited time and is then discarded, eliminating the long-term aesthetic compromise and health risks associated with traditional braces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The clear aligners are made from flexible polymeric shells that conform to the teeth while providing gentle orthodontic forces. This flexible design reduces the harmful effects associated with rigid braces, including oral tissue damage and aesthetic compromise, while achieving the same tooth realignment goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If implant placement is delayed until after complete orthodontic treatment, then implant position can be optimal, but treatment time is extended and restoration is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant positioning accuracyVSAvoidtime to restoration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The final implant position is predetermined and prepared in advance using digital planning and 3D imaging. The orthodontic treatment with clear aligners is specifically designed to move teeth into the pre-planned optimal position for implant placement, allowing the implant to be placed as soon as the teeth reach that position rather than waiting for complete treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment plan is made dynamic, allowing implant placement to occur at any stage during the orthodontic treatment once the teeth have moved into the optimal position. This dynamic approach eliminates the rigid sequence of completing all orthodontic work before implant placement, thereby reducing overall treatment time while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach reduces treatment time by allowing simultaneous osseointegration and orthodontic treatment, improving the prognosis and aesthetics of dental implants by enabling earlier placement and reducing the delay in restoring the final prosthesis.

Implementation Method 1

a thin shell of material having resilient properties, referred to as an 'aligner'

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250099209A1Dental appliances for accommodating dental implants

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 ALIGN TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A dental appliances and orthodontic appliance systems for accommodating dental implants. The dental appliances may include an offset portion that is configured to provide a space between the offset portion and an implant implanted within a patient's oral cavity or the patient's tissue surrounding the implant, thereby avoiding impingement of the dental appliance on the implant or the patient's tissue surrounding the implant. Dental implants may include, for example, abutments or caps. The dental appliances may be configured to reposition one or more teeth of the patient.