Dental Shield UV Filtering for Bracket Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency in orthodontic practices due to the need for orthodontists to manually place brackets before light-cured adhesives or cements cure, which can bottleneck treatment processes and hinder the ability to adjust dental implants before fixation.
Innovation Solution
A dental shield with ultraviolet light filtering characteristics that allows orthodontic assistants to delay the curing of light-curable fixatives by covering the patient's mouth, providing clearance for bracket placement and allowing breathing while preventing light exposure, thus enabling orthodontists to inspect and adjust placements without slowing treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an orthodontist manually places brackets and immediately cures the adhesive, then the bracket placement is secure and reliable, but the treatment process becomes a bottleneck and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The process is segmented into two independent phases: bracket placement by assistant (using light-cured adhesive that remains uncured) and orthodontist inspection/approval, followed by final curing. The uncured adhesive state allows the assistant to work independently while the orthodontist reviews, eliminating the bottleneck without compromising final bracket security.
Solution Approach 2:
The assistant performs preliminary bracket placement using light-cured adhesive that is applied but not yet fully cured. This preliminary action allows the brackets to be positioned and inspected before final curing, enabling the orthodontist to review work without waiting for the entire process to complete.
2Manufacturing precision
If an orthodontist inspects brackets after placement, then placement quality is ensured, but treatment speed slows down
Solution Approach 1:
Bracket placement is performed in advance by the assistant while the adhesive is in a workable, uncured state. The orthodontist then inspects the placement quality without waiting for curing to complete, allowing inspection to occur during the curing period rather than requiring sequential completion of placement then inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-cured adhesive acts as an intermediary medium that allows brackets to be held in position during inspection. Its property of being curable upon light exposure enables the brackets to remain secure yet adjustable during the inspection period, facilitating quality control without time loss.
3Speed
If light-cured adhesive is used for bracket placement, then curing speed is fast, but the orthodontist cannot adjust brackets after placement
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is applied in a preliminary uncured state that allows bracket positioning and adjustment. Only after the orthodontist approves the placement does final curing occur, ensuring both fast curing when needed and adjustment capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive transitions from a dynamic, adjustable uncured state during placement and inspection to a static, fixed cured state after approval. This dynamic property change enables the system to provide both adjustment capability and final security as needed at different stages.
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
Enhances efficiency in orthodontic treatments by allowing assistants to place brackets and delay curing until orthodontists approve the placement, preventing premature fixation of light-curable adhesives and allowing for adjustments before completion.
Implementation Method 1
The upper member may be substantially translucent and may also have light-filtering characteristics, including but not limited to, ultra-violet light filtering characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus related to a dental shield. Light may be filtered or blocked through the dental shield to delay the curing of a light-cured adhesive or cement. The shield has an elevated portion designed to provide clearance sufficient for a bracket as well as a nose relief and breathing passages.