Dental Model Kit Dowel Pin for Incremental Tooth Die Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic treatments using dental braces are time-consuming, unsightly, and uncomfortable, requiring frequent adjustments and lacking customization, while computer-based systems are complex and fail to provide a personal treatment plan.
Innovation Solution
A dental model kit with dowel pins that allow incremental movement of tooth dies in three-dimensional space, enabling the creation of successive aligners to gradually reposition teeth from an initial to a final arrangement, using a physical 3-D model and conventional dentist equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional dental braces are used to reposition teeth, then teeth can be moved from initial to final arrangement, but the treatment process is time-consuming and requires frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment plan is predetermined using a physical 3-D model where tooth dies are manually repositioned to show the complete treatment pathway before beginning actual treatment. This preliminary planning allows all aligners to be designed in advance, eliminating the need for frequent adjustment visits and reducing overall treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment is divided into multiple incremental stages, with each stage represented by a separate aligner. Each aligner moves teeth a small predetermined amount, and the sequence of aligners collectively achieves the final tooth arrangement. This segmentation allows for controlled, progressive movement without requiring frequent professional adjustments.
2Productivity
If conventional dental braces are used, then teeth repositioning can be achieved, but the appliances are unsightly and uncomfortable to wear
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using traditional braces with brackets and wires, the invention uses clear plastic aligners that are custom-made copies of the patient's dental model. These aligners are transparent and removable, providing the same tooth-moving function while being aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to wear.
3Productivity
If conventional braces with archwires are used, then teeth can be moved through force induction, but the process requires periodic professional adjustments and ligature replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The aligner system is designed to be self-contained and self-adjusting. Each aligner is custom-fit to apply precise forces to specific teeth, and the patient simply progresses through the sequence of pre-designed aligners without requiring professional adjustments. The system eliminates the need for ligature replacements and archwire changes that characterize traditional braces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If computer-based systems are used for orthodontic treatment planning, then treatment can be standardized, but the systems are complex and fail to provide personalized treatment plans
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a physical 3-D model that is a direct copy of the patient's actual dentition, allowing the orthodontist to manually manipulate and reposition tooth dies to create a personalized treatment plan. This physical copying approach provides customization without the complexity of computer-based planning systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A dental model kit includes a set of dowel pins for successive use with at least one tooth die that is part of the dental model kit. Each dowel pin includes an upstanding tooth anchor section that is configured to be fixedly attached to the tooth die; and a main body section having a top surface from which the tooth anchor section extends. The main body section is for reception within a base of the dental model kit. According to the present invention, a location of the tooth anchor section relative to the top surface changes from an initial position associated with an initial pin that is part of the set to a final position associated with a final pin that is part. Successive movement of the tooth anchor section is translated into successive movement of the tooth die both in a desired direction and a desired distance.