Laser Orthodontic Bite Plate for Accelerated Tooth Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current orthodontic treatments are lengthy and can be painful, with existing devices not effectively combining vibratory forces with low-level light therapy to enhance tooth movement and bone remodeling.

Innovation Solution

A portable, extraoral or intraoral laser device integrated with a bite plate that applies low-level light therapy, potentially combined with vibratory devices, to stimulate tooth movement and bone remodeling using LEDs or laser diodes, optimized for wavelength and power to enhance orthodontic remodeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional continuous mechanical force is used to move teeth, then teeth can be moved to a better position, but treatment time is extended (about twenty-four months on average)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth movement effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vibratory forces through a device that generates oscillations at specific frequencies to accelerate bone remodeling and tooth movement. The vibration mechanism stimulates cellular activity and enhances the rate of bone formation, thereby reducing the overall treatment time while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs periodic or pulsed application of mechanical forces and vibratory cycles rather than continuous static force. The device implements cyclic loading patterns with rest periods that stimulate bone remodeling more effectively than continuous force, accelerating tooth movement and reducing treatment duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If continuous static force is applied via archwires, then teeth can be moved, but the force dissipates and requires frequent adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth movement controlVSAvoidadjustment frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibratory device maintains constant cellular stimulation and bone remodeling activity throughout the treatment period, eliminating the need for frequent adjustments. The vibration continuously enhances the effectiveness of the applied force, allowing longer intervals between adjustments while maintaining controlled tooth movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Productivity

If vibratory forces are combined with low-level light therapy, then bone remodeling is stimulated by two mechanisms, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone remodeling rateVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple therapeutic modalities (vibratory forces and low-level light therapy) into a single unified device. The combination of mechanical vibration and phototherapy synergistically enhances bone remodeling and tooth movement, achieving faster treatment results while consolidating functions into one device rather than requiring separate treatments

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 device accelerates tooth movement and reduces pain by up to 30% and 50% respectively, with optimal dosing of light therapy shown to be effective in human studies, demonstrating a significant increase in the rate of tooth movement and reduced treatment time.

Implementation Method 1

A laser is a device that emits light (electromagnetic radiation) through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

Infrared (IR) light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometers (μm)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

For low power visible light to have any effect on a living biological system, the photons must be absorbed by electronic absorption bands belonging to some molecular chromophore or photoacceptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoacceptor absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)