Lingual Orthodontic Appliance with Predictive Positioning Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of the lingual surface anatomy and high variability among individuals make it challenging to design standardized lingual orthodontic appliances, leading to inaccuracies and increased costs due to the need for personalized brackets and frequent device replacements.
Innovation Solution
A method involving virtual design of a lingual orthodontic appliance with standard attachments and a predictive reference modeling, including guides for precise positioning and adaptation, allowing for the use of standard fasteners and enabling easy repair without external service providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If standardized labial attachments are used, then design complexity is reduced, but adaptability to individual tooth anatomy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The lingual appliance is divided into modular components: standardized brackets combined with customizable positioning elements. Each bracket can be independently positioned using guides that segment the overall design process, allowing standardization at the bracket level while maintaining individualization at the positioning level.
Solution Approach 2:
Positioning guides act as intermediary elements between the standardized brackets and the individual tooth anatomy. These guides translate the standardized bracket design into precise positioning on unique lingual surfaces, mediating between the conflict between standardization and customization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If personalized brackets are created for each patient, then adaptability to individual anatomy is improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning guides are pre-designed and pre-manufactured as standardized components that can be quickly produced and adapted to different patients. This preliminary preparation of modular components eliminates the need for time-consuming custom manufacturing for each patient while maintaining precise adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning guides are designed as universal components that can be used across multiple patients with different anatomies. A single guide design can accommodate various tooth types and anatomical variations, providing multi-functionality that reduces manufacturing time and cost while maintaining individual adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a straight arch is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but precision in aligning labial surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The archwire is designed with adjustable flexibility and can be dynamically bent and shaped during the treatment process. This dynamic capability allows the arch to adapt to individual patient anatomies while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the wire can be customized in the clinic rather than requiring complex pre-formed designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The archwire parameters such as flexibility, thickness, and shape can be changed and adjusted during treatment. This allows the same standardized wire to achieve different configurations for precise alignment on individual patients, separating the manufacturing simplicity of the standard wire from the precision achieved through parameter adjustment.
4Manufacturing precision
If external service providers are used for appliance manufacturing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time for waiting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service manufacturing where the practitioner can produce the positioning guides and assemble the appliance using standardized components. This eliminates dependency on external service providers while maintaining precision through the use of accurately manufactured standard guides that can be reproduced locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning guides are designed as disposable or recoverable standard components that can be quickly manufactured and replaced if needed. This approach allows for rapid production without the long lead times associated with custom external manufacturing, as the standardized guides can be quickly produced and reused or replaced as required.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a lingual orthodontic appliance based on the prior virtual design of an archwire with attachments adapted to a patient's dentition, these attachments being standard attachments, and a reference predictive model. It thus concerns a reference predictive model intended for the design and/or fabrication of a lingual orthodontic appliance for a patient, comprising a dental archwire with attachments. This model includes a predictive model established from the representation of at least a portion of the patient's dentition, as well as at least two guides for said archwire: an anterior sagittal retention guide and a posterior transverse retention guide, designed to ensure the archwire is locked in the first plane.