Lingual Orthodontic Wire Alignment with Dissolvable Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic methods often fail to maintain or improve the proper arch form of teeth after alignment, leading to undesirable tooth movements and requiring continued treatment, especially when minor or moderate tooth movement is needed, and they can be aesthetically and cosmetically unappealing.
Innovation Solution
A coated orthodontic wire system using super-elastic nickel titanium wires with a dissolvable coating, applied directly to the lingual or facial surface of teeth, which allows for precise positioning and movement, forming a tube-like structure with composite beads that enables effective tooth alignment without visible brackets, reducing discomfort and speech issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional orthodontic wires with fixed brackets are used, then teeth can be aligned, but the proper arch form cannot be maintained and undesirable tooth movements occur
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is designed to be movable relative to the brackets along the arch form, allowing dynamic adjustment during treatment. The wire can slide within the brackets to adapt to tooth movements while maintaining the overall arch form, resolving the contradiction between precise alignment and arch form stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in the wire's position and configuration parameters during treatment. The wire can be repositioned and reconfigured to maintain proper arch form while enabling precise tooth alignment, addressing both requirements simultaneously
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional braces with visible brackets are used, then teeth can be aligned, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is extracted from the traditional bracket structure and positioned directly on the tooth surface. This removes the visible bracket component while maintaining the alignment function, achieving precise tooth alignment without the aesthetic harm of visible braces
Solution Approach 2:
A bonding material serves as an intermediary between the wire and the tooth. This intermediary allows the wire to be positioned directly on the tooth surface without traditional brackets, maintaining alignment precision while eliminating the visual appearance of conventional braces
3Manufacturing precision
If wires are bonded to teeth at fixed distances, then alignment can be achieved, but the teeth cannot move closer together and arch form is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is designed with dynamic movement capability relative to the brackets. It can slide and adjust its position along the arch form while maintaining bonding, allowing teeth to move closer together and improving arch form while preserving alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system permits changes in the wire's spatial parameters and configuration. The wire can be repositioned and reconfigured during treatment to enable teeth to move closer together and improve arch form, addressing the limitation of fixed-distance bonding
4Ease of operation
If coated wires with dissolvable coating are used, then the wire can move freely to align teeth, but the coating must dissolve to allow movement
Solution Approach 1:
The coating undergoes a phase transition from a durable, protective state during bonding to a dissolved state that allows wire movement. This phase change enables the coating to provide initial protection and stability, then transition to allowing free wire movement for tooth alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The coating is applied in advance to protect the wire during bonding and initial placement. It serves its protective function preliminarily, then dissolves to allow the wire to move freely for alignment, resolving the contradiction between durability and movement freedom
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 system effectively maintains or improves arch form, reduces speech-related problems, and provides a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing solution for tooth alignment, allowing for continued treatment with increased patient comfort and minimal oral irritation.
Implementation Method 1
A dissolvable coating surrounds an orthodontic wire arch form of super-elastic material such as nickel titanium
Implementation Method 2
The metal wires interact with the brackets to exert continual force on the teeth to gradually urge the teeth toward their intended positions
Implementation Method 3
the wire to move freely as it returns to its predesigned arch shape, pulling the teeth into alignment with it
Implementation Method 4
After the composite beads cure and the coating dissolves, an aperture or tube is left around the wire within the composite beads
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for treating mal-alignment of teeth using super-elastic nickel titanium, heat activated nickel titanium coated or uncoated orthodontic wires with composite resins in order to effectuate desired tooth alignment. The composite resin is formed into beads that hold the wire in place preferably on the lingual surface of the teeth. Alternate embodiments using composite brackets are disclosed. The overall purpose of this invention is to provide a close contact, low profile orthodontic system, in particular, a lingual orthodontic system that is significantly more comfortable than existing orthodontic systems, completely concealed and effective.