Dental Attachment Positioning Wells for Precise Light Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental attachment formation processes are prone to errors due to manual mixing, positioning, and curing, leading to incorrect fitting and force application, which can be improved by using a dental appliance with a well portion and release layer for precise attachment formation.
Innovation Solution
A dental appliance with a body having a well portion and a release layer for attachment formation, along with a light transmissive material for curing, allows for precise positioning and orientation of attachments on teeth, using specialized templates and premixed materials for customized treatment plans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual mixing and positioning of attachment material is used, then the process is simple and flexible, but errors in positioning, orientation, and curing occur leading to incorrect fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance incorporates pre-formed wells with precise geometric dimensions and orientations that are manufactured beforehand. These wells serve as templates that guide the placement and positioning of attachment material, eliminating the need for manual positioning during the dental procedure. The wells are designed with specific shapes, sizes, and orientations that correspond to the desired attachment configuration, ensuring accurate placement before the material is inserted and cured.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance acts as an intermediary device between the dentist and the attachment material. It provides a structured interface through its well portions that mediate the positioning process, translating the desired attachment configuration into precise physical guidance. The appliance body with its engineered wells serves as the mediating structure that ensures accurate attachment placement without requiring manual dexterity or complex positioning techniques by the operator.
2Measurement precision
If hand held ultraviolet light is used for curing, then the equipment is simple and portable, but placement of the light relative to the attachment is subject to error
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance incorporates light transmissive portions that are integrated into its structure during manufacturing. These portions are strategically positioned to align with the attachment wells, creating predetermined light pathways. When curing light is applied, these transmissive portions guide the light precisely to the attachment material, ensuring accurate and consistent curing without requiring manual positioning adjustments by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The light transmissive portions of the appliance serve as intermediaries that channel and direct the curing light. Rather than requiring direct manual positioning of the light source, the transmissive portions mediate the light delivery, ensuring that the curing energy is delivered accurately to the attachment material through the well structures. This intermediary mechanism eliminates positioning errors while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If attachments are formed by hand mixing material, then the process is flexible and adaptable, but the amount of material and positioning are uncontrolled leading to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance wells are pre-manufactured with specific volumetric capacities and geometric configurations. These wells are designed to hold precise amounts of attachment material, controlling the quantity before the material is applied. The well dimensions are engineered to accommodate the exact amount of material needed for each attachment, preventing both under-filling and over-filling errors that occur with manual mixing and application.
Solution Approach 2:
The well portions of the appliance serve as intermediaries that control material delivery. They provide a structured receptacle that regulates the amount of attachment material that can be placed, ensuring consistent and accurate material quantities. The well geometry acts as a physical constraint that guides material placement and prevents variability in material amount, while still allowing for straightforward material insertion.
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 accuracy and efficiency of attachment formation, reducing user errors and ensuring better fit and force application, thereby improving the effectiveness of dental treatments.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of the body may be made of a light transmissive material to allow light from the light source to cure a light curable material in contact with the tooth
Data Source
AI summary
Dental attachment positioning apparatuses and methods of forming the same. Methods may include forming one or more registration surfaces on a body of an attachment placement structure. The one or more registration surfaces may be shaped to conform to one or more exterior surfaces of a dentition. Methods may include forming a well within the body, where the well is shaped for accepting an attachment material, and where the body includes a first opening that provides access to the well. Methods may include forming one or more second openings through the body that provides access to the well, where the one or more second openings is different than the first opening. Methods may include generating a virtual attachment placement structure and fabricating the attachment placement structure based on the virtual attachment placement structure.