Custom Mandibular Advancement Trays with Anchor Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic devices for altering the maxillary and mandibular dental relationship are often uncomfortable, unaesthetic, and have low compliance due to their bulky and noticeable designs, failing to effectively address Class II and Class III dental relationships and snoring issues.
Innovation Solution
An oral apparatus comprising upper and lower trays with anchor members that adjust the positional relationship between the mandible and maxilla, using a method involving digital scanning and 3D modeling to fabricate customized trays that engage teeth and guide jaw movement, providing a comfortable and aesthetic solution for mandibular advancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If orthodontic elastics, headgear, or intra-oral bite correctors are used to correct Class II or Class III dental relationships, then the dental alignment can be improved, but the apparatus becomes bulky, uncomfortable, and unaesthetic
Solution Approach 1:
The oral apparatus is divided into separate upper and lower trays with distinct anchor members, allowing each component to be optimized independently for both functional effectiveness and comfort. The segmentation enables precise positioning of contact surfaces while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing overall structure that fits within the oral cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor members feature localized contact surfaces positioned at specific locations on the trays. The upper anchor members have contact surfaces that interface with lower anchor members at predetermined positions, allowing force application at optimal points for dental correction while keeping the rest of the apparatus minimal and comfortable.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional orthodontic apparatuses are used to alter mandibular and maxillary relationship, then orthodontic correction can be achieved, but compliance decreases due to discomfort and visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The trays are designed as thin, custom-fitted shells that conform to the patient's dental arches. This thin-film approach provides sufficient structural integrity for orthodontic correction while being virtually invisible and highly comfortable, thereby improving patient compliance and treatment reliability.
3Force
If orthodontic apparatuses are designed to be effective for jaw manipulation, then dental relationship can be corrected, but the apparatus becomes noticeable and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The upper and lower trays are designed with asymmetric configurations tailored to the patient's specific dental anatomy. The anchor members and contact surfaces are positioned asymmetrically to match the natural asymmetry of the jaw structure, enabling effective force application for jaw manipulation while maintaining a natural, comfortable fit that is not noticeable to the patient.
Data Source
AI summary
An oral apparatus for mandibular jaw manipulation which in some embodiments may include: an upper tray configured to receive a plurality of maxillary teeth and which may have a first upper anchor member coupled to a first side of the upper tray and a second upper anchor member coupled to a second side of the upper tray; a lower tray configured to receive a plurality of mandibular teeth and which may have a first lower anchor member coupled to a first side of the lower tray and a second lower anchor member coupled to a second side of the lower tray. The first upper anchor member may be configured to contact the first lower anchor member and the second upper anchor member may be configured to contact the second lower anchor member to adjust the positional relationship between the mandible and the maxilla of a mouth.