Dental Attachment Formation Structure with Light Path and Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for forming dental attachments are prone to user error, leading to incorrect positioning, orientation, and securing of attachments, which can result in improper fit and force distribution during dental treatments.
Innovation Solution
A dental attachment formation structure with a body shaped to conform to tooth contours, incorporating a light source attachment structure for precise curing of attachment materials, and featuring registration surfaces for accurate positioning and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand mixing and forming of attachment material is used, then flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to uncontrolled material amount and positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment formation apparatus is divided into distinct functional components: a template with pre-formed wells for material placement, a separate mixing mechanism, and a curing system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the template ensures precise positioning while the mixing mechanism maintains operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The template wells are pre-formed with exact dimensions and positions before the attachment material is applied. This preliminary preparation of the receiving structure eliminates the need for manual positioning during the actual attachment formation process, ensuring manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If hand held UV light is used for curing, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to incorrect positioning relative to the attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The curing mechanism is merged with the template structure, positioning the UV light source in direct alignment with the attachment wells. This integration ensures that the curing light is automatically positioned correctly relative to the attachment material, eliminating positioning errors while maintaining operational simplicity through a single unified apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The template structure serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the curing light source and the attachment material. It provides a fixed geometric relationship between the light source and the attachment wells, ensuring precise curing positioning without requiring manual adjustment by the operator.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual attachment formation is used, then adaptability to different attachment types is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to treatment professional errors in mixing, forming, positioning, orienting, or securing attachments
Solution Approach 1:
The template is designed with multiple wells that can accommodate different types of attachment materials and configurations. The same template structure can be used for various attachment types by simply changing the material placed in the wells, providing versatility while maintaining consistent positioning and formation procedures that improve reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The template structure provides self-aligning features and pre-determined well positions that guide the attachment material into correct positions automatically. This self-service capability reduces reliance on the treatment professional's skill and judgment, minimizing human error and improving overall reliability of the attachment formation process.
4Ease of operation
If uncontrolled amount of attachment composite is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates leading to errors in attachment formation
Solution Approach 1:
The template wells are pre-formed with exact volumes and geometries that define the precise amount of attachment material required. This preliminary preparation of the receiving structure allows the operator to simply fill the wells without needing to measure or calculate the correct amount, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring precise material quantity control.
Solution Approach 2:
Each well in the template is designed with specific local characteristics - particular depth, width, and shape - tailored to the requirements of specific attachment types. This local customization of the template structure ensures that each location receives the exact amount and type of material needed, achieving manufacturing precision while keeping the overall process simple.
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 solution enhances the precision and efficiency of attachment formation, reducing errors and improving the fit and functionality of dental appliances, thereby enhancing patient treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a hand held ultraviolet light (UV light) is then inserted into the mouth of the patient in order to cure the attachments
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for designing dental attachments. Methods may include generating a 3D model of a dental attachment formation apparatus based on a virtual dentition. Generating the 3D model may include: forming a body having a surface shaped to conform to contours of the virtual dentition, where the body is configured to include a light transmissive portion and an opaque portion; forming one or more wells in the body, wherein each well is shaped to receive a dental attachment; and forming a light path through the body to the one or more wells, where the opaque portion of the body is arranged with respect to the light transmissive portion of the body to keep light from illuminating portions of the body other than the one or more wells.