Elastic Resin Space Regainer for Dental Gap Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental appliances for regaining space between remaining teeth after tooth loss are often expensive, require laboratory fabrication, and have poor cosmetic appearance, necessitating frequent adjustments and molds.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible elastic resin band with concave ends and an elongate connecting band, designed using digital impressions and 3D printed or additive manufactured, that arches to exert resilient pressure and regain space between teeth, allowing for proper spacing for permanent tooth growth or cosmetic replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical metal appliances or transparent aligners are used to regain space between teeth, then space regaining function is achieved, but the device becomes expensive and requires laboratory fabrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metal or rigid aligner materials to elastomeric material, and changes the manufacturing parameter from laboratory fabrication to at-home molding process. This allows the space regainer to be manufactured locally and inexpensively while maintaining the space regaining function through the elastic properties of the material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables patients to manufacture their own space regainers at home using simple molding kits and elastomeric material, eliminating the need for professional laboratory fabrication. The self-service approach reduces cost and complexity while achieving the same therapeutic effect
2Reliability
If traditional dental appliances are used to regain space between teeth, then space regaining is achieved, but the cosmetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter to elastomeric material that can be molded to match the natural appearance of teeth. This allows the space regainer to function as a dental appliance while maintaining cosmetic appearance, as the elastomeric material can be customized to blend with surrounding teeth
3Reliability
If traditional mechanical appliances are used to regain space, then space regaining is achieved, but the device complexity increases requiring frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables patients to manufacture their own space regainers at home using simple molding kits and elastomeric material, eliminating the need for professional laboratory fabrication. The self-service approach reduces cost and complexity while achieving the same therapeutic effect
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material provides dynamic, gradual force application as the material slowly returns to its original shape, eliminating the need for mechanical adjustments. The continuous elastic force naturally progresses space regaining without intervention
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 cost-effective, cosmetically appealing, and adjustable means to regain space between teeth, enabling gradual and controlled spacing for natural or cosmetic tooth replacement without the need for external laboratories.
Implementation Method 1
The regainer is made from a biocompatible elastic material so that the connecting band will arch when installed across the gap and exert resilient pressure against the remaining teeth
Data Source
AI summary
The fixed space regainer is a resin band designed to regain space in the gap between the remaining teeth when a tooth is lost. The band has opposing concave ends that provide bonding surfaces or anchors that attach to the remaining teeth on opposite sides proximal to the gap and an elongate connecting band between the bonding surfaces. The regainer is made from a biocompatible elastic material so that the connecting band will arch when installed across the gap and exert resilient pressure against the remaining teeth proximal to the gap to regain the space lost by narrowing that occurs by loss of the tooth, thereby providing proper spacing for growth of a permanent tooth or installation of a cosmetic replacement. The regainer may be designed by the dentist in software from a digital impression and made by 3D printing or additive manufacturing.