Maxillary Arch Expander Mouthpiece Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic methods for expanding the upper jaw often require bands or crowns, which can affect the appearance of teeth, and previous solutions like Invisalign do not provide sufficient expansive lateral forces to widen the jaw effectively.
Innovation Solution
An orthodontic arch expander with a U-shaped mouthpiece and telescoping shells connected to the molars, using a threaded jack and springs to push the shells outward, allowing for incremental widening of the maxillary arch without brackets or bands, and an alternate embodiment that attaches directly to the palatal bone using screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bands or crowns are used to attach the expander to the teeth, then the expander can be securely attached to provide expanding force, but the appearance of the teeth is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the attachment mechanism from the traditional band/crown approach and replaces it with a mouthpiece-based system. The expander is attached to a mouthpiece that fits over the teeth rather than requiring permanent bands or crowns, thereby removing the harmful attachment method while preserving the functional attachment strength needed for expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouthpiece serves as an intermediary element between the expander and the teeth. Instead of directly attaching the expander to the teeth with bands, the mouthpiece mediates the connection, providing secure attachment while maintaining the natural appearance of the teeth since the mouthpiece is removable and does not require permanent modification.
2Shape
If Invisalign-style mouthpieces are used, then the appearance is maintained, but sufficient expansive lateral forces cannot be provided to widen the jaw effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the aesthetic advantages of Invisalign-style mouthpieces with the functional capabilities of traditional expanders. By combining the removable mouthpiece design (which maintains appearance) with the threaded jack mechanism (which provides sufficient expansive force), the system achieves both cosmetic acceptability and effective jaw widening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite approach combining different functional elements: the mouthpiece provides aesthetic and comfort functions while the threaded jack mechanism provides the mechanical force generation. This composite design allows each component to specialize in its strength area while working together to achieve both appearance maintenance and effective expansion.
3Force
If threaded jack and springs are used to push shells outward, then incremental widening force is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded jack mechanism is designed to be operated by the patient themselves according to a schedule prescribed by the orthodontist. The patient inserts a key and turns the cylinder to activate the expansion force, making the system self-service rather than requiring constant professional intervention. This reduces operational complexity while maintaining effective force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion force is applied periodically rather than continuously. The patient turns the threaded jack at prescribed intervals (e.g., daily or weekly), creating periodic activation of the springs and shells. This periodic action achieves the desired incremental widening while simplifying the device compared to continuous mechanical systems.
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
Enables widening of the maxillary arch with lateral expanding forces without permanently attaching to the teeth, providing a more aesthetically pleasing solution that effectively moves teeth into new positions while resisting lengthening of the arch.
Implementation Method 1
an arch expander joins to the mouth piece. The arch expander has two telescoping shells with a threaded jack and cooperating springs. Turning the jack lengthens a rod that pushes the shells outwards against the mouthpiece thus widening the maxillary arch incrementally
Implementation Method 2
In the alternate embodiment, each of the telescoping shells has a grommet joined to an exterior end. The telescoping shells are oriented to expand laterally, generally between the left and right upper molars. A screw is then placed through each grommet and the screws are then turned into the palatal bone.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic arch expander joins to a mouthpiece proximate to the rear of the mouthpiece. The transparent mouthpiece has a desired arc that fits over the teeth of the upper jaw. The mouthpiece has two wings that join near the incisors and then become parallel and spaced apart around the molars. Near the molars, an arch expander joins to the mouth piece. The arch expander has two telescoping shells with a threaded jack and cooperating springs. Each shell joins to a corresponding wing of the mouthpiece. Turning the jack lengthens a rod that pushes the shells outwards against the mouthpiece thus widening the maxillary arch without brackets or bands upon the teeth. An alternate embodiment has the arch expander attaching directly to the palatal bone through screws placed through a grommet at the end of each shell by an orthodontist or oral surgeon.