Elastic-Coated Orthodontic Shells for Precise Tooth Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic appliances often fail to generate the necessary forces for effective tooth repositioning and lack sufficient control over applied forces, leading to discomfort and inadequate movement due to homogeneous material properties and rigidity.
Innovation Solution
The development of orthodontic appliances with discontinuities and elastic members directly coupled to the shell, allowing for precise control of forces through heterogeneous material properties and improved compliance, reducing patient discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single appliance shell with homogeneous material properties is used, then the appliance structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the control over forces applied to teeth is insufficient and patient comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance shell is divided into multiple discrete segments rather than being a single continuous structure. This segmentation allows different regions of the appliance to have different material properties and mechanical behaviors, enabling precise control over force application to specific teeth while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the appliance shell are assigned heterogeneous material properties, with varying degrees of rigidity and elasticity tailored to specific functional requirements. This local quality differentiation enables optimized force control at each appliance region while addressing the limitations of homogeneous materials
2Strength
If the appliance rigidity is increased to provide structural strength, then the appliance can maintain its shape, but the ability to be coupled to patient's teeth is interfered with and patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to adapt its rigidity based on operational conditions. The shell can exhibit flexible behavior during coupling to teeth while maintaining structural strength during force application, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and coupling capability through condition-dependent mechanical properties
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 force control and comfort by applying targeted forces for efficient tooth repositioning, ensuring precise appliance fit and reducing discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
a thin, flexible shell covered by an elastic coating. The properties of the elastic coating may dictate the overall properties of the appliance, such as the stiffness of the appliance. When worn by a patient, the appliance may apply forces onto the underlying teeth via the elastic coating in order to reposition the teeth
Data Source
AI summary
Improved orthodontic appliances, along with related systems and methods, are provided. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a dental appliance includes fabricating a shell of a dental appliance via an additive manufacturing process. The shell can include a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities shaped to reposition a patient's dentition from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement. The shell can include a first polymeric material having a first elastic modulus. The method may further include fabricating an elastic coating on a surface of the shell, where the elastic coating includes a second polymeric material having a second elastic modulus. When the dental appliance is worn on the patient's dentition, the shell and the elastic coating are stretched by placement of the shell and the elastic coating on the patient's dentition, and the elastic coating resists the stretching to apply one or more forces onto the patient's dentition.