Dental Retractor With Segmented Trays For Whitening Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing teeth whitening methods often result in teeth whitening substances inadvertently coating the gums and lips, causing irritation, as they fail to effectively isolate these areas during the application process.
Innovation Solution
A dental retractor with half-moon shaped trays interconnected by a strap-like member, designed to space teeth and keep lips away from the whitening substance, featuring handles with anti-slip surfaces and made of flexible materials for comfort and ease of use, allowing for precise application of the whitening substance onto teeth surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mouthpiece is inserted to enclose teeth whitening substance, then the whitening substance is retained on tooth surfaces, but the substance may inadvertently coat the lips and gums causing irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is divided into two separate half-moon shaped trays that fit over the upper and lower teeth independently. This segmentation allows each tray to isolate specific areas, preventing the whitening substance from contacting the lips and gums while maintaining retention on the tooth surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor acts as an intermediary device between the mouthpiece and the soft tissues. By placing the retractor first, it creates a protective barrier that separates the whitening substance (enclosed by the subsequent mouthpiece) from the lips and gums, allowing the mouthpiece to function effectively without causing irritation.
2Ease of operation
If the mouth is opened wide to reveal teeth for application, then the teeth are accessible for painting, but the lips may come into contact with the whitening substance
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is inserted and positioned in the mouth before the whitening substance is applied. This preliminary action establishes the protective barrier and spacing between the lips and teeth, ensuring that when the mouth is opened for application, the lips are already protected and cannot contact the substance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid retractor is used to space teeth and lips, then the structure provides stability, but the patient experiences discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is constructed from flexible materials such as soft plastic, rubber, or synthetic rubber. This flexibility allows the retractor to conform to the patient's unique oral anatomy, providing structural stability for spacing and protection while eliminating discomfort associated with rigid structures. The material can gently adapt to the contours of the teeth, gums, and lips.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the retractor is made of flexible material, then patient comfort is enhanced, but the connection between components may be less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor utilizes composite construction where flexible materials (soft plastic, rubber, or synthetic rubber) are combined with reinforcing elements. This composite approach maintains the comfort benefits of flexible materials while incorporating structural features that enhance the stability of connections between the trays and strap-like member, ensuring the retractor remains secure during use.
Data Source
AI summary
The inventive retractor includes two half-moon shaped trays at each side located on the sides of the mouth covering the lips and opening the mouth to reveal the teeth from the front. The trays are interconnected by a strap-like member spacing the upper and lower teeth from one another by a slight amount. The angulation between the trays and the strap-like member is devised to improve the patient's comfort level and to better facilitate alignment of the retractor with typical human oral anatomy. Each of the inventive trays has a handle so that the retractor may easily be gripped for insertion into the mouth and removal therefrom.