Dual Aligner Assembly for Orthodontic Tooth Movement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic aligner systems face challenges such as unpredictable tooth movement, increased treatment time, and wastage due to 'lag of movement' issues, where the difference between the current and planned tooth positions becomes too great, causing the aligner to fail in snapping onto the teeth, and difficulty in moving posterior teeth as a group during arch expansion.
Innovation Solution
A dual aligner assembly comprising a softer, thinner inner aligner and a stronger, thicker outer aligner, with features like dimples and ridges, where the outer aligner provides anchorage for the inner aligner to apply more accurate and controlled forces, preventing unwanted tooth movements and ensuring precise tooth positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single aligner is used to move teeth, then the treatment process is simple, but the control over tooth movement is insufficient leading to lag of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The aligner system is divided into multiple independent aligners (first aligner and second aligner) that work together. Each aligner has a specific function: the first aligner applies force to move teeth to target positions, while the second aligner provides anchorage and prevents unwanted movements. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by improving movement control through multiple components while maintaining the simplicity of the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The first aligner is positioned inside the second aligner, creating a nested structure where the inner aligner applies force to the teeth and the outer aligner provides support and anchorage. This nesting arrangement allows both aligners to work together in a compact configuration, improving control without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Strength
If the aligner material is made stronger and thicker to provide more force, then the force application is improved, but the aligner becomes less flexible and harder to snap onto teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the force application function from the anchorage function. The first aligner uses softer, more flexible material optimized for applying controlled force and snapping onto teeth. The second aligner uses stronger, thicker material optimized for providing anchorage and preventing unwanted movements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the aligner system have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The first aligner has localized flexibility for ease of operation, while the second aligner has localized strength for anchorage. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by having strong where needed and flexible where needed.
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 dual aligner assembly enhances control over tooth movement, increases predictability, and reduces treatment time by providing consistent and directed forces, enabling more efficient tooth repositioning, including challenging movements like posterior arch expansion and group tooth movements.
Implementation Method 1
The first aligner includes a first material having a first shape corresponding to a first set of target tooth positions, wherein the first aligner applies a first orthodontic force against a set of target teeth
Data Source
AI summary
A dual aligner assembly including a plurality of aligners, including a first aligner and a second aligner. The first aligner has a first shape corresponding to a set of target tooth positions and applies an orthodontic force against a set of target teeth. The first orthodontic force generates movement of the set of target teeth to the set of target tooth positions. The second aligner has a second shape corresponding to a combination of current tooth positions of the set of target teeth, the set of target tooth positions, and a thickness of the first aligner. The second aligner partially encloses the first aligner and provides an anchor for at least a portion of the first aligner. Via the anchor, a combination of the first aligner and the second aligner provides an orthodontic force that prevents the set of target teeth from moving to unwanted tooth positions during orthodontic treatment.