Deformable Oral Appliance Mount for Adaptive Tissue Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral appliances are tailored for a general population, leading to varying efficacy due to differences in mouth geometry among individuals, such as tooth size, shape, and jaw alignment, which affects dental cleaning and treatment outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A deformable mount for oral appliances with strategically positioned holes or cuts that allow the mount to change shape in response to stretching, enabling it to conform to individual mouth geometries, controlled by an actuation mechanism for improved cleaning/treatment element positioning and force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drill bit is used to create pilot holes for orthodontic buttons, then the buttons can be securely attached to teeth, but the drill bit may inadvertently contact and damage the dental pulp
Solution Approach 1:
A rubber stop is introduced as an intermediary component between the drill bit and the tooth structure. This stop acts as a physical barrier that prevents the drill bit from penetrating too deeply and contacting the dental pulp, while still allowing the drill bit to create adequate pilot holes for button attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber stop is pre-positioned on the drill bit before the drilling operation begins. This preliminary placement ensures that the depth control mechanism is already in place, preventing accidental over-penetration and pulp exposure during the pilot hole creation process.
2Productivity
If the drill bit rotates at high speed to efficiently create pilot holes, then the procedure is faster, but the risk of generating heat that could damage the tooth structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber stop serves as a mediator that physically separates the drill bit from the tooth structure. This separation creates a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer to the tooth, allowing high-speed drilling to proceed without excessive heat generation that could damage the tooth or pulp.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber stop provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and dissipating heat generated during drilling. This protective measure is in place before drilling begins, preventing thermal damage to the tooth structure while maintaining efficient drilling speed.
3Strength
If a metal drill bit is used for creating pilot holes, then the drill bit is durable and maintains its shape, but the metal may cause discomfort or allergic reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber stop acts as an intermediary material that contacts the tooth and surrounding tissues instead of the metal drill bit. This eliminates direct contact between metal and biological tissue, preventing discomfort and allergic reactions while the metal drill bit maintains its structural integrity and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are used for different functions: the metal drill bit provides durability and shape retention for the drilling operation, while the rubber stop provides biocompatibility and comfort for the area contacting the tooth and tissues. Each material is optimized for its specific local function.
Data Source
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AI summary
:A mount for an oral appliance. The mount comprises one or more holes that are configured to, when the mount is stretched in a first direction, cause a further deformation of the mount in at least one other direction, for example, to cause a bending or folding of the mount to improve clamping and conformation of the mount to oral tissues.