L-Shaped Orthodontic Bite Block for Deep Bite Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for addressing deep bite in orthodontics, such as chemical bonding and molar cement, are prone to failure and can lead to prolonged treatment periods due to the risk of bracket displacement and tooth structure damage, with existing devices offering uneven wear and reusability issues.
Innovation Solution
A substantially L-shaped orthodontic device with a smooth, continuous surface and a laterally extending tongue for secure attachment to buccal tubes or head gear tubes, allowing easy insertion, removal, and reattachment, preventing upper front teeth from contacting lower front brackets and enabling simultaneous treatment of lower teeth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical bonding pads are placed on upper front teeth to prevent contact with lower brackets, then the deep bite is addressed, but the pads are subject to frequent failure due to significant forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bite block as an intermediary device that distributes occlusal forces across a broader area of the upper arch rather than concentrating them on small bonded pads. This mediator absorbs and disperses the significant forces, preventing pad failure while maintaining the deep bite correction function.
Solution Approach 2:
The bite block is designed with a resilient, flexible material that allows it to deform under occlusal forces and return to its original shape. This flexibility enables the block to absorb impact forces from bracket contact without fracturing or detaching, solving the retention-strength contradiction.
2Reliability
If large mounds of cement are applied to lower molars to keep the bite open, then lower brackets are protected from being forced off, but the chemical bonding is subject to failure and tooth structure may be damaged during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protective function from the tooth structure by placing the bite block on the upper arch rather than bonding large cement mounds to the lower molars. This segmentation eliminates the need for extensive tooth preparation and avoids the harmful removal process, while still providing bracket protection through the upper arch intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The bite block serves as an intermediary that protects lower brackets indirectly by preventing direct contact forces. Instead of bonding protective material directly to lower teeth (which risks tooth damage), the upper arch bite block mediates the force distribution, protecting lower brackets without compromising tooth structure.
3Reliability
If the Guray device is attached to both facial and lingual sides of the molar band to secure it, then attachment stability is improved, but installation becomes difficult and reusability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the attachment mechanism from the complex multi-sided bonding approach of the Guray device. The bite block uses a simple single-sided adhesive attachment to the upper archwire, eliminating the need for facial and lingual side attachments. This extraction of the attachment complexity maintains stability while dramatically improving installation ease and reusability.
4Reliability
If brackets on lower front teeth are delayed until deep bite is corrected by upper brackets, then bracket displacement is avoided, but the treatment period is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing the bite block on the upper arch before lower brackets are placed. This preliminary protective measure is already in place when lower brackets are subsequently installed, allowing immediate treatment progression without delaying lower bracket placement. The preliminary bite block installation prevents future bracket displacement issues while enabling timely treatment initiation.
Data Source
AI summary
The dental appliance is a generally L-shaped, with a vertical section and a horizontal section. The horizontal section extends from the main body section of the vertical section. The horizontal section has a smooth and continuous upper surface and lower surface which extends from a first end to a second end. The horizontal section extends from the first end on the facial side of the teeth toward the second end on the lingual side of the teeth, stretching across the occlusal surfaces.