Lingual Orthodontic Arm Structure for Stable Tooth Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic appliances, such as braces and aligners, face challenges in effectively moving teeth to optimal positions, require frequent adjustments, are aesthetically unpleasing, and rely on bracket-archwire systems that cause discomfort and irritation, with lingual braces being particularly sensitive to archwire adjustments and difficult to clean.
Innovation Solution
An orthodontic appliance featuring rigid segments, arms, and bracket connectors that extend along adjacent teeth, with biasing regions to provide rotational and longitudinal forces, and securement mechanisms that inhibit rotation and translation, allowing for improved tooth movement without frequent adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional braces with archwires are used, then teeth can be moved to optimal positions, but patient discomfort and irritation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance divides the tooth movement function into separate modular components: rigid segments for structural support, arms for force application, and bracket connectors for tooth attachment. This segmentation eliminates the need for continuous archwires that cause irritation while maintaining effective tooth movement through controlled force vectors from each modular element.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the archwire component from the traditional brace system, replacing it with direct arm-to-bracket connections. This extraction eliminates the source of patient discomfort (archwire irritation) while preserving the core function of applying corrective forces to move teeth into optimal positions.
2Reliability
If traditional braces are used, then teeth can be repositioned, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance inverts the traditional brace configuration by placing brackets on the lingual (inner) surface of teeth rather than the buccal (outer) surface. The rigid segments and arms extend from these lingual brackets to apply corrective forces, making the appliance invisible from the front while maintaining full tooth repositioning capability.
3Reliability
If traditional braces are used, then tooth movement can be controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments tooth movement control into independent modular elements (rigid segments, arms, bracket connectors) that can be individually configured for each tooth's specific movement requirements. This modular approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating the complex continuous archwire while maintaining precise control over each tooth's position through tailored arm configurations.
4Shape
If lingual braces are used, then aesthetics improve, but cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented modular design with separate rigid segments, arms, and bracket connectors creates larger gaps between components compared to traditional continuous archwires. This segmentation improves access for cleaning tools and facilitates better oral hygiene maintenance while preserving the aesthetic benefit of lingual placement.
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 appliance provides efficient tooth movement with reduced patient discomfort, improved aesthetics, and enhanced hygiene by minimizing the need for manual adjustments and reducing irritation, while maintaining effective compliance.
Implementation Method 1
the arm includes a biasing region between the first and second end portions, wherein the biasing region is configured to provide a rotational force and/or a longitudinal force to at least one of the patient's teeth
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An orthodontic appliance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an anchor configured to be positioned adjacent a patient's teeth, and an arm extending away from and coupled to the anchor. The arm can include a first end portion at the anchor and a second end portion configured to be coupled to a securing member adhered to a tooth of the patient. The second end portion can include a first region and a second region extending from the first region at an angle. When the appliance is positioned adjacent the patient's teeth and secured to the securing member, the first and second regions may inhibit the second end portion from translating and/or rotating relative to the securing member.