Indirect Bonding Tray with Dental Sealant for Orthodontic Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Orthodontic treatment complicates oral hygiene, leading to plaque accumulation and white spot lesions due to the presence of braces, which affect the cosmetic appearance of teeth after treatment.

Innovation Solution

An indirect bonding tray with a dental sealant is used during orthodontic treatment, applied simultaneously with orthodontic appliances to protect tooth surfaces and facilitate precise appliance placement, reducing oxygen inhibition and enhancing the durability of the sealant layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dental sealant is applied separately before or after orthodontic appliance placement, then adequate protection can be provided, but treatment time increases and patient compliance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from decayVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the application of dental sealant and orthodontic adhesive into a single unified composition applied in one step. The composition contains both sealant material and adhesive material that work together to simultaneously protect tooth surfaces and bond orthodontic appliances, eliminating the need for separate application steps and reducing overall treatment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified composition serves multiple functions: it acts as both a protective sealant coating and a bonding adhesive for orthodontic appliances. This multi-functional material allows the dentist to achieve decay protection and appliance attachment in a single application process, improving efficiency without compromising the reliability of either function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If dental sealant is applied in a separate step, then proper application can be ensured, but oxygen inhibition affects the durability of the sealant layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of sealant layerVSAvoidapplication process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the sealant and adhesive into one composition applied simultaneously, the patent eliminates the separate sealant application step that is vulnerable to oxygen inhibition. The unified application process allows the composition to be placed directly against the tooth surface and cured immediately, reducing exposure to oxygen and improving the durability of the resulting layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If separate application steps are used for sealant and adhesive, then each can be optimized, but the overall process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of applicationVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple application steps into a single unified application process. The composition is applied once to achieve both sealant protection and adhesive bonding, significantly reducing treatment time and simplifying the clinical workflow while maintaining the effectiveness of both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple steps are used for sealant and adhesive application, then thorough protection can be achieved, but patient compliance decreases due to extended treatment time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from decayVSAvoidpatient compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By combining sealant and adhesive application into one step, the patent dramatically reduces the time patients must spend in the dental chair and the number of steps they must tolerate. This improves patient compliance and comfort while maintaining comprehensive protection through the unified composition that provides both sealant and bonding functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 method allows for efficient application of dental sealant during orthodontic treatment, protecting teeth from decay, improving hygiene, and ensuring a more aesthetically pleasing outcome by preventing white spot lesions and enhancing the bond strength of appliances.

Implementation Method 1

Dental sealants provide a hard coating over the enamel surfaces and can serve as a barrier that protects the enamel from decay-causing bacteria

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBarrier protection:

Implementation Method 2

brackets that are secured to the patient's anterior teeth by an orthodontic adhesive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9387055B2Methods and apparatus for applying dental sealant to an orthodontic patient's teeth

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A set of orthodontic appliances is releasably connected to wall portions of a bonding tray that is used in an indirect bonding procedure. A quantity of dental sealant is applied to wall portions of the tray, and is subsequently transferred to enamel surfaces of the patient s teeth when the bonding tray is placed in position over one of the patient s dental arches. The dental sealant tends to reduce the formation of plaque in regions of the patient s tooth surfaces adjacent the orthodontic appliances.