Multi-Directional Dental Appliance for Jaw and Palate Symmetry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental expander devices primarily provide lateral expansion but lack adequate technology for anterior, vertical, and anterior-lateral movement to teeth, jawline, and palate, which are crucial for achieving aesthetically pleasing facial and dental symmetry.

Innovation Solution

Dental appliances that offer controlled anterior, vertical, and anterior-lateral movement using fiber-impregnated materials, adjustable hinges, and soft surfaces to distribute pressure, supported by 3D imaging for personalized treatment plans, allowing for gradual and comfortable expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional dental expander devices are used, then lateral expansion between teeth is achieved, but anterior, vertical, and anterior-lateral movement capabilities are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement direction capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dental appliance is designed to perform multiple functions: lateral expansion, anterior movement, vertical movement, and anterior-lateral movement. The device incorporates adjustable hinges and pressure application mechanisms that enable it to achieve movement in multiple directions, making a single device replace what would traditionally require multiple separate appliances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The appliance incorporates adjustable hinges that allow dynamic modification of the pressure application angle and direction. These hinges can be adjusted to change the orientation of pressure application, enabling the same device structure to achieve movement in different directions (anterior, vertical, lateral) based on treatment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If rigid pressure is applied to move teeth and palate, then movement efficiency is improved, but patient comfort and tissue damage risk worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement efficiencyVSAvoidtissue pressure damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance incorporates a soft surface layer that contacts the patient's palate and oral tissues. This soft layer distributes the applied pressure over a larger area, reducing pressure concentration at specific points while maintaining the overall force necessary for tooth and palate movement. The rigid structural components provide movement efficiency while the soft surface protects against tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The soft surface material is built into the appliance structure beforehand to cushion and distribute pressure before it reaches the patient's tissues. This pre-cushioning approach prevents direct contact between rigid pressure-applying components and soft oral tissues, eliminating pressure points before they can cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Force

If device bulkiness is increased to provide sufficient pressure, then movement force is improved, but device comfort and speech impediment worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure forceVSAvoidspeech impediment

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance utilizes a thin, flexible shell structure that can be molded to fit the patient's oral cavity closely. This thin-film approach allows the device to apply necessary pressure forces while maintaining a compact, low-bulk profile that does not interfere with speech production or patient comfort during wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12402984B2Dental system for symmetry of jaw, palate, and teeth

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 HAMM SUSAN E

AI summary

Dental apparatus, systems, and methods for providing anterior, lateral, and vertical movement, an apparatus including a posterior portion to be affixed to and supported by a posterior dental structure of a patient; and an anterior portion connected to and separable from the posterior portion, the anterior portion operable to provide anterior movement, lateral movement, and vertical movement to an anterior dental structure of the patient.