Palatal Expander With Elastic Anchor Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional palatal expanders cause unwanted outward tipping of posterior teeth due to the outward force applied for expanding the maxilla, which can be mitigated by using skeletal anchors like dental implants or temporary anchorage devices (TADs), but these require improved anchorage systems to minimize tooth movement.
Innovation Solution
The development of palatal expanders with elastic interfaces for receiving skeletal anchors, such as TADs, which distribute the expansion force more evenly across the maxilla, reducing unwanted tooth movement by incorporating compressible materials and elastic interfaces that allow for easier insertion and comfortable wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional palatal expanders with metal frames attached to posterior teeth are used, then the expansion force can be applied to widen the palate, but unwanted outward tipping of the posterior teeth occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the anchorage function from the posterior teeth and relocates it to the maxillary bone through skeletal anchors (TADs). This separation removes the harmful effect of tooth tipping by applying expansion force directly to the bone rather than through the teeth, while maintaining the necessary anchorage for force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The palatal expander acts as an intermediary device that transfers force from the skeletal anchors embedded in the maxilla to the palatal structures. This intermediary mechanism allows force application to the bone without direct attachment to teeth, eliminating the harmful tipping effect while achieving the desired palatal expansion.
2Reliability
If skeletal anchors are used to avoid tooth movement, then anchorage stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the skeletal anchor, the anchor interface, and the palatal expander body into an integrated system. The anchor interface is incorporated directly into the expander structure, creating a unified device that provides stable skeletal anchorage without requiring separate complex components or multiple attachment steps.
3Force
If rigid anchor interfaces are used for skeletal anchors, then force transmission is efficient, but insertion difficulty and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the anchor interface from rigid to elastic/compressible. This parameter change allows the interface to deform during insertion, reducing resistance and making placement easier, while still maintaining sufficient rigidity to transmit expansion forces effectively once positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic interface material provides beforehand cushioning during the insertion process, absorbing the impact and resistance forces that would otherwise make insertion difficult or painful. This cushioning effect is built into the interface design, ensuring smooth insertion while maintaining force transmission capability during operation.
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 solution provides a more efficient and comfortable method of palatal expansion by minimizing tooth movement and maintaining consistent force application, ensuring effective skeletal expansion with reduced side effects.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic interface within the anchor interface, wherein the elastic interface has a greater elasticity than the palatal region such that an anchor will compress the elastic interface more than the palatal region when the anchor is received in the anchor interface
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods including expandable dental appliances. The expandable dental appliances may include left and right portions that are distinct and separate parts, and that may be coupled by a sliding expansion feature configured to laterally translate the left and right portions toward or away from each other. Each of the left and right portions may include a palatal region and a tooth engagement region that are customized to respective left and right sides of a patient's upper dental arch. Systems may include multiple non-expandable dental appliances that are configured to be worn sequentially over the patient's upper dental arch to expand the patient's palate over corresponding stages of a treatment plan.