Shape-Engineered Orthodontic Appliance Cavities
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Orthodontic appliances experience non-elastic deformation due to material creep, stress relaxation, and environmental changes, leading to reduced contact forces between the appliance and teeth, which degrades their performance and prolongs treatment time and expense.
Innovation Solution
The appliances are designed with teeth receiving cavities shaped to compensate for expected non-elastic deformation, using computer-based techniques and materials like polymeric sheets, to maintain desirable contact forces and reduce performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shell appliances are used for orthodontic treatment, then patient removable positioning is achieved, but non-elastic deformation occurs reducing contact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance is pre-distorted during fabrication to anticipate and compensate for the non-elastic deformation that will occur during use. By applying a preliminary opposite distortion, the appliance maintains its intended shape and contact forces throughout the treatment period, resolving the contradiction between removability and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shell appliances are used for orthodontic treatment, then alternative treatment systems are provided, but performance degradation occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance is pre-distorted during fabrication to anticipate and compensate for the non-elastic deformation that will occur during use. By applying a preliminary opposite distortion, the appliance maintains its intended shape and contact forces throughout the treatment period, resolving the contradiction between versatility and duration of action.
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 modified appliance design effectively tolerates significant non-elastic deformation, maintaining higher contact forces and improving the efficiency and speed of tooth repositioning, thereby reducing treatment time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
non-elastic deformation may occur due to use of a shell appliance... such as appliance material creep
Implementation Method 2
non-elastic deformation may occur due to use of a shell appliance... such as stress relaxation
Implementation Method 3
At least one of the cavities can include a portion shaped to compensate for non-elastic deformation that may be due to a variety of reasons, such as appliance use
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to shape engineered orthodontic appliances and methods for fabricating the same. Methods of the present disclosure may comprise modifying a first representation of a patient's teeth, wherein the modified representation compensates for a non-elastic deformation resulting from use or wear of the orthodontic appliance. Methods may further comprise defining teeth receiving cavities on the orthodontic appliance, wherein the teeth receiving cavities are shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth. Methods may also comprise defining exterior portions on the orthodontic appliance using the modified representation of the patient's teeth.