Low-Profile Orthodontic Bracket with Rounded Cross Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional orthodontic brackets with rectangular cross sections cause irritation to the inner lip surfaces due to their protruding edges, leading to reduced wearing comfort and increased friction during mouth movements.

Innovation Solution

Designing orthodontic tooth top parts with a triangular or circular cross section, reduced height, and acute angles to minimize friction and irritation, along with a guide recess and snap-on nose for secure and comfortable attachment of connecting means, made from tooth-colored synthetic materials for inconspicuous placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If orthodontic brackets have a rectangular cross section with protruding edges, then they provide structural strength and secure attachment, but they cause irritation to the inner lip surfaces and increase friction during mouth movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemucous membrane irritationVSAvoidbracket structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket cross section is changed from a rectangular shape with sharp edges to a circular or rounded shape. This curvature eliminates the protruding edges that cause irritation to the inner lip surfaces and mucous membrane, while the circular geometry maintains sufficient structural strength for orthodontic attachment and force transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If orthodontic brackets have a reduced height profile, then they minimize irritation and improve wearing comfort, but they may reduce the secure immobilization capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewearing comfortVSAvoidimmobilization security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket height is reduced to create a low-profile design that minimizes irritation during talking and food intake. Simultaneously, the cross-sectional geometry is optimized with a circular shape and appropriate width dimensions to maintain sufficient bonding surface area and structural integrity for secure tooth immobilization despite the reduced height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If orthodontic brackets have a circular cross section, then they reduce friction and irritation during mouth movements, but they may complicate the attachment of connecting means

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction during mouth movementsVSAvoidattachment of connecting means

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

While the overall bracket cross section is circular to reduce friction and irritation, specific local features such as flattened areas, grooves, or asymmetric elements are incorporated at strategic locations. These local modifications provide reference planes and engagement features that facilitate the attachment of connecting means and archwires, combining the benefits of rounded geometry with functional attachment capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9119689B2Manipulator tool for low-profile bracket

Publication Date: 2015.09.01 WORLD CLASS TECHNOLOGY CORP

AI summary

A tool for insertion and removal of an archwire into low-profile orthodontic brackets includes a handle section and at least one end section having a pair of claws separated by a gap. Each of the pair of claws has a pair of lobes with internal pathways for accommodating an archwire. This enables the archwire to be alternately pushed into and pulled away from an orthodontic bracket.