Gradient Polymeric Orthodontic Sheets for Controlled Tooth Forces

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthodontic treatments face challenges in efficiently and comfortably repositioning teeth over extended periods due to the limitations of current orthodontic appliances, which may require prolonged wear and lack optimal force distribution for gradual tooth alignment.

Innovation Solution

The development of polymeric sheets with gradient repeating domain structures, composed of thermoplastic polymers A and B, that apply controlled concentration gradients to provide resilient positioning forces, facilitating incremental tooth movement and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional polymeric orthodontic appliances are used, then teeth can be repositioned over extended periods, but the treatment requires prolonged wear (up to 22 hours/day) and extended treatment time (days to years)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth repositioning effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment duration and wear time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a polymeric composition with spatially varying properties through the inclusion of domain regions with different glass transition temperatures. The composition contains at least two domain regions: a first domain region with glass transition temperature of -50°C to 0°C and a second domain region with glass transition temperature of 50°C to 150°C. This localized differentiation of material properties within the appliance enables different regions to provide different mechanical characteristics, optimizing force distribution and treatment efficiency while reducing required wear time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the glass transition temperature of different domain regions within the polymeric composition. By selecting polymers with specific glass transition temperatures and controlling their distribution, the appliance can exhibit different mechanical properties (softness, flexibility, force application characteristics) in different regions. This parameter variation allows the appliance to deliver optimized orthodontic forces more efficiently, potentially reducing treatment duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If traditional polymeric orthodontic appliances are used, then teeth can be repositioned, but the force distribution may not be optimal for gradual tooth alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorthodontic force applicationVSAvoidcomfort and force control

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a polymeric composition with spatially varying properties through the inclusion of domain regions with different glass transition temperatures. The composition contains at least two domain regions: a first domain region with glass transition temperature of -50°C to 0°C and a second domain region with glass transition temperature of 50°C to 150°C. This localized differentiation of material properties within the appliance enables different regions to provide different mechanical characteristics, optimizing force distribution and treatment efficiency while reducing required wear time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes composite materials by combining multiple polymeric components with different glass transition temperatures within a single appliance structure. The polymeric composition includes at least two domain regions with distinct thermal and mechanical properties, creating a composite structure that can simultaneously provide regions of high flexibility and regions of structural stability. This composite approach enables optimized force distribution across different areas of the appliance, improving both effectiveness and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 polymeric sheets effectively reposition teeth by applying controlled forces, enhancing treatment efficiency and comfort by allowing for gradual and targeted tooth alignment without the need for prolonged appliance wear.

Implementation Method 1

The orthodontic alignment tray includes a polymeric shell with a plurality of cavities configured for receiving one or more teeth of the patient. The individual cavities in the polymeric shell are shaped to exert force on one or more teeth to resiliently and incrementally reposition selected teeth or groups of teeth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260034720A1Multi-component material for orthodontic appliances

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 ORMCO CORP

AI summary

A polymeric sheet includes a gradient repeating domain structure represented as -(A-AB1-B-AB2)n-, -(A-AB-B)n-, -(A-AB)n-, -(AB)n-, or -(AB1-AB2)n- where A represents a domain region of component A, B represents a domain region of component B, and AB1, AB2, and AB each represent domain regions containing one or more mixtures of thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B. The polymeric sheet is configured as a dental appliance for positioning a patient's teeth.