Dental Braces Interference Fit Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional dental braces are aesthetically unpleasing and uncomfortable, while invisible dental braces require complete coverage of teeth, leading to food residue issues and reduced retention force when coverage area is reduced.
Innovation Solution
The dental braces employ an interference fit retention method with a fixing element and orthodontic element, allowing for targeted tooth correction without full coverage, enhancing user convenience and retention force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invisible dental braces completely cover the crowns to achieve retention and force application, then retention force is improved, but food residue accumulates between braces and teeth affecting oral health
Solution Approach 1:
The dental brace is divided into two separate components: a fixing element that remains on the tooth and an orthodontic element that covers the crown. This segmentation allows the fixing element to be exposed for cleaning while the orthodontic element provides the necessary coverage for retention and force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element is extracted from the covering structure and positioned separately on the tooth surface. This extraction allows the fixing element to be accessible for cleaning and maintenance while the orthodontic element can be removed or adjusted as needed.
2Reliability
If invisible dental braces completely cover the crowns to achieve retention, then retention force is improved, but the frequency of removing braces for cleaning increases causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the brace into a permanent fixing element and a removable orthodontic element, the design allows patients to clean the fixing element easily while the orthodontic element can be removed for thorough cleaning or replacement without affecting the retention force.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthodontic element is designed to be dynamically removable and replaceable, allowing patients to adjust the frequency of removal for cleaning based on their needs, rather than being permanently fixed or requiring frequent complete removal.
3Ease of operation
If coverage area of invisible dental braces is reduced to allow easier removal and cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but retention force is greatly reduced making braces easy to detach
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into fixing element and orthodontic element allows the orthodontic element to have reduced coverage area for ease of removal while the fixing element maintains the necessary retention force through its attachment to the tooth and engagement with the orthodontic element.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element acts as an intermediary between the tooth and the orthodontic element, providing a stable attachment point that maintains retention force even when the orthodontic element has reduced coverage area for ease of removal and cleaning.
4Reliability
If traditional fixed dental braces use brackets and arch wires to move teeth, then orthodontic function is achieved, but aesthetics are poor and brackets are prone to being bit off
Solution Approach 1:
The orthodontic element is designed as a flexible, thin-film structure that covers the crown and provides orthodontic force through elastic deformation. This flexible shell approach replaces rigid brackets and wires, improving aesthetics and comfort while maintaining orthodontic function.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the physical parameters of the orthodontic element to be transparent or translucent, making it aesthetically pleasing while maintaining the elastic properties necessary for generating orthodontic force through deformation.
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 design improves user experience by allowing easy cleaning and reduced material costs, maintaining retention force while providing targeted tooth correction without complete crown coverage.
Implementation Method 1
the second connector is engaged with the first connector to form an interference fit, such that the orthodontic element is detachably connected to the fixing element
Implementation Method 2
an elastic force of the orthodontic element acts on the abnormal teeth to control movement of the abnormal teeth
Data Source
AI summary
A dental braces includes at least one fixing element attached to surfaces of multiple abnormal teeth and provided with a first connector, and an orthodontic element provided with a second connector adapted to the first connector, where the second connector is engaged with the first connector to form an interference fit, such that the orthodontic element is detachably connected to the fixing element; and an elastic force of the orthodontic element acts on the abnormal teeth to control movement of the abnormal teeth.