Magnetic Clear Aligner for Predictable Tooth Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aligner systems face challenges in achieving predictable and precise tooth repositioning, particularly in vertical and horizontal movements, due to unpredictable force exertion and tracking issues, leading to poor fit and increased time and resources.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic aligner system that includes an inner and outer layer with a magnet positioned between them, interacting with a magnetizable component attached to the teeth, allowing for controlled and predictable tooth movement without direct contact or composite attachments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional aligner systems use pressure-based force exertion through material rigidity, then teeth repositioning can be achieved, but the force exertion becomes unpredictable and tracking problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepredictability of tooth repositioningVSAvoidcontrol of force exertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pressure-based force system with a magnetic force system. Magnets are embedded in the aligner to exert controlled magnetic forces on magnetizable components attached to teeth, providing predictable and controllable force delivery without relying on material rigidity and pressure distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of force delivery from mechanical pressure to magnetic force. By using magnetic fields instead of mechanical pressure, the system achieves more predictable and controllable force exertion on teeth, resolving the tracking and reliability issues of conventional systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If composite attachments are bonded to teeth to provide force application surface, then vertical tooth movement can be achieved, but the outcome becomes unpredictable and additional resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability for vertical tooth movementVSAvoidpredictability of tooth movement outcome

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for composite attachments by directly embedding magnets in the aligner that can magnetically interact with small magnetizable components on teeth. This removes the unpredictable intermediate step of composite attachment bonding while maintaining the capability for vertical tooth movement through direct magnetic force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetizable components as intermediaries between the aligner magnets and the teeth. These small components provide a reliable and predictable interface for magnetic force application, replacing the unreliable composite attachment interface while enabling controlled tooth movement in all directions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If conventional aligners are used without magnets, then the structure remains simple, but tracking problems occur and additional aligners are needed compensating for poor fit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicity of alignerVSAvoidefficiency of tooth repositioning process

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the aligner structure with embedded magnets to create a unified force delivery system. The magnets are integrated into the aligner body, combining the positioning function with the force application function, thereby improving tracking and repositioning efficiency without significantly increasing overall device complexity

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 magnetic aligner system provides a safe, efficient, and systematic method for tooth repositioning, ensuring precise and predictable movement, even without knowledge of the current tooth position at every stage, thereby reducing the need for additional aligners and resources.

Implementation Method 1

The aligner magnet is positioned to magnetically interact with a magnetizable component attached to a select one of the teeth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11337779B2Magnetic clear aligner system

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 PARK JANET

AI summary

An aligner utilizes a magnetic interaction to reposition teeth. The aligner includes an inner layer sized and shaped to correspond to an exterior of a dental mold for an arrangement of teeth. The aligner includes an aligner magnet coupled to an exterior of the inner layer. The aligner includes an outer layer sized and shaped to correspond to an exterior of the inner layer and the aligner magnet. The inner layer is received within the outer layer and the aligner magnet is between the inner layer and the outer layer. The aligner magnet is positioned to magnetically interact with a magnetizable component attached to a select one of the teeth.