Interchangeable Lock Orthodontic Bracket for Tooth Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current orthodontic bracket systems lack flexibility in adjusting tooth position and torque, requiring complex procedures such as wire bending or bracket replacement, and often result in increased friction and patient discomfort due to predefined angulation and inclination, which complicates treatments especially for crowded teeth.

Innovation Solution

A versatile interchangeable lock system that can be superimposed on orthodontic brackets, allowing adjustments in size, angulation, and inclination without removing the arch wire or changing the bracket, providing external control and reducing friction through internal slots with grooves, enabling flexible force transmission and tooth positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional brackets with predefined angulation and inclination are used, then the bracket structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the flexibility to adjust tooth position is limited requiring wire bending or bracket replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to adjust tooth positionVSAvoidbracket structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket system is divided into two independent components: a base bracket with predefined angulation and an interchangeable lock with adjustable slot orientation. This segmentation allows the lock to be changed without removing the bracket, providing flexibility in tooth position adjustment while keeping the base bracket structure simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock component serves multiple functions: it secures the archwire to the bracket and simultaneously provides adjustable angulation and inclination control through interchangeable slots. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If brackets with fixed angulation are used, then manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but the ability to control torque and inclination is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of torque and inclinationVSAvoidprecision of angulation adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple locks with different slot orientations are pre-manufactured with precise angulations. During treatment, the appropriate lock is selected and installed based on the required adjustment, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments and ensuring manufacturing precision is achieved during the controlled manufacturing process rather than during clinical application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Force

If ligatures are used to secure the wire to the bracket, then the wire is firmly held, but friction increases and hygiene is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce transmission from wire to toothVSAvoidfriction and hygiene issues

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ligature is completely removed from the system and replaced by an integral lock mechanism that secures the archwire through a slot. This extraction eliminates the sources of friction and hygiene problems associated with ligatures while maintaining firm control over the wire-tooth force transmission through the engineered lock-slot interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the archwire is removed to change bracket inclination, then the bracket can be repositioned, but treatment time increases and patient comfort decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to change bracket inclinationVSAvoidtime for bracket replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static bracket with fixed inclination to a dynamic system where the lock component can be quickly interchanged during treatment. This allows the bracket inclination to be adjusted by simply replacing the lock rather than the entire bracket, significantly reducing treatment time and improving patient comfort while maintaining the ability to change inclination as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9999483B2Orthodontic arch wire bracket with interchangeable locks including variable tooth positioning control and method of using same

Publication Date: 2018.06.19 MIQUI CARLOS EDUARDO

AI summary

An interchangeable lock is applied to a bracket, consisting of a lock designed for use in orthodontic treatment which is used in conjunction with an orthodontic bracket having a base bonded to the tooth in which the interchangeable lock should be frontally inserted. This same lock permits additional adjustments of the arch wire in regards to inclination, angulation or torque as there always be three walls forming a U-shaped slot, allowing the position of the arch wire to be controlled in relation to its inclination and angulation while maintaining the position of the bracket in relation to the tooth. It is possible to identify, modify and control the position of the tooth by contact adjustment with the arch wire at any time during treatment without the need to remove the arch wire or change or adjust the bracket.