Dental Appliance Bite Adjustment Structures for Malocclusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental treatment methods for deep bite malocclusion, such as intrusion and extrusion of teeth, can be unstable or ineffective, especially in adult patients, and may require surgical intervention, which can be lengthy and uncomfortable, and are not suitable for patients with crooked or tipped teeth.

Innovation Solution

A dental appliance system with alternative bite adjustment structures positioned on teeth other than incisors, designed using computer-readable media to create incremental treatment plans, allowing for controlled force application and movement of teeth through a series of appliances with bite adjustment structures specific to each stage of treatment, enabling precise correction of malocclusion without surgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional intrusion or extrusion methods are used to correct deep bite, then tooth alignment can be improved, but treatment stability is poor especially in adult patients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetooth alignment precisionVSAvoidtreatment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance is divided into multiple sequential appliances, each addressing specific teeth or regions. This segmentation allows for controlled, staged movement that improves both precision and stability of treatment outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic force application through progressively adjusted appliances rather than static force. Each subsequent appliance builds upon previous corrections, creating a dynamic treatment process that adapts to tooth movement and improves stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If surgical correction is performed to fix deep bite malocclusion, then jaw alignment can be corrected, but treatment time and patient discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejaw alignment correctionVSAvoidtreatment duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces surgical mechanical intervention with a non-invasive orthodontic appliance system that uses controlled dental forces. This substitution eliminates surgical recovery time while achieving similar alignment corrections through gradual tooth and jaw positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The appliance system performs preliminary preparation of teeth and jaws before final alignment, creating optimal conditions for correction without surgery. This preliminary action includes positioning teeth to receive appliance forces and preparing the periodontal structures for gradual movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional bite adjustment structures are used on incisors, then bite correction can be achieved, but treatment is ineffective for patients with crooked or tipped teeth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebite correction accuracyVSAvoidapplicability to various tooth conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Each appliance is customized with specific bite adjustment structures positioned on specific teeth based on that tooth's individual condition. Crooked teeth receive different structural support than tipped teeth, allowing precise correction adapted to each tooth's unique geometry and requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The appliance system serves multiple functions: it corrects bite issues, accommodates crooked teeth, supports tipped teeth, and prepares teeth for subsequent alignment. This multi-functionality makes the system universally applicable to various malocclusion types without requiring separate treatment protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3700458B1Alternative bite adjustment structures
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 ALIGN TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3700458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3700458B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3700458B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A dental appliance including a first and a second appliance. The first appliance having a first shell having a plurality of cavities therein and each cavity configured to receive at least one tooth of a first jaw and having a first number of bite adjustment structures. The first number of bite adjustment structures formed as part of the first shell and extending from the lingual surface of at least one of the plurality of cavities. The second appliance having a second shell having a plurality of cavities therein and each cavity configured to receive at least one tooth of the second jaw and having a second number of bite adjustment structures formed as part of the second shell and extending from at least one of the plurality of cavities. The second number of bite adjustment structures are designed to make contact with the first number of bite adjustment structures.