Flexible Orthodontic Aligner Shell for Continuous Tooth Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic aligners lack flexibility, leading to intermittent force delivery and difficulty in engaging teeth properly, especially when teeth are not initially aligned, requiring reworking of treatment plans and bonded attachments.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating flexible zones and patterns into the appliance shell, using materials like urethanes and polycarbonates, and employing 3D printing or CNC milling to create zones of enhanced flexibility for controlled tooth alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional orthodontic aligners are made from rigid materials, then structural strength is maintained, but flexibility is reduced leading to intermittent force delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The aligner incorporates flexible zones with different material properties or structural characteristics in specific locations (such as between teeth or at stress concentration points) while maintaining rigid structure in other areas. This allows the aligner to have localized flexibility for continuous force delivery while preserving overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The aligner uses composite material construction combining rigid and flexible materials, or a gradient material structure where material properties vary spatially. This enables different regions of the aligner to exhibit appropriate mechanical properties - rigid for structural support and flexible for continuous force delivery to teeth.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid shell structure is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to misaligned teeth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The aligner transitions from a completely rigid static structure to a dynamic structure with flexible zones that can adapt and deform. The flexible zones allow the aligner to dynamically adjust to teeth that are not in their final positions, maintaining precise force application while accommodating misalignment during treatment progression.
3Stability of the object's composition
If continuous material structure is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but flexibility and force continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The aligner incorporates flexible zones constructed as thin film structures or flexible shell regions that can bend and deform continuously. These flexible zones maintain structural integrity through their material composition and geometric design while enabling continuous force delivery to misaligned teeth, preventing force interruption during tooth movement.
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 appliance achieves continuous, gentle force delivery to effectively engage teeth, ensuring precise alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible assembly (42) for flexibly joining portions of the tooth-clasping assembly
Implementation Method 2
The resilience of the material from which the positioner is made provides the energy to move the teeth from their original position toward the new straightened position
Data Source
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AI summary
Tooth-positioning appliances and apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for producing and using tooth-positioning appliances are provided. An example tooth-positioning appliance for adjusting the position of teeth of a patient includes a tooth-clasping arrangement shaped to secure the orthodontic appliance to at least one tooth and a flexible arrangement connected to the tooth-clasping arrangement. The flexible arrangement is less rigid than the tooth-clasping arrangement.