Orthodontic Attachment Device with Prescribed Torque and Angulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic appliances and methods face challenges in efficiently guiding tooth movement and maintaining patient comfort during orthodontic treatment.
Innovation Solution
The development of orthodontic attachment devices with prescribed in/outs, torques, and angulations, designed using the straight wire methodology, which are bonded to teeth to optimize the alignment and comfort of orthodontic trays or bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional orthodontic brackets with slots are used, then tooth alignment can be achieved through archwire guidance, but the treatment complexity and number of adjustments increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the alignment guidance function from the archwire-slot bracket system and relocates it to the removable appliance itself through pre-formed attachment devices with prescribed in/out, torque, and angulation values. This eliminates the need for complex adjustable brackets and archwires, simplifying the overall system while maintaining treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment devices are pre-formed with predetermined prescriptions for in/out, torque, and angulation values before being bonded to the teeth. This preliminary preparation of alignment parameters eliminates the need for complex in-office adjustments during treatment, reducing both device complexity and treatment time.
2Reliability
If multiple adjustment visits are scheduled for bracket appliances, then proper force can be maintained on teeth, but treatment time and patient inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The removable appliance with pre-formed attachments is fabricated outside the mouth with all alignment parameters predetermined. This allows the appliance to maintain proper force on teeth throughout the treatment period without requiring periodic in-office adjustments, eliminating treatment time loss while preserving force reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable appliance serves as an intermediary device that delivers predetermined orthodontic forces to the teeth through pre-formed attachments. This mediator maintains consistent force application over time without requiring repeated practitioner intervention, resolving the contradiction between force reliability and treatment duration.
3Ease of operation
If attachments are bonded to teeth for clear tray aligner treatment, then force application is improved, but the complexity of attachment fabrication and placement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the attachment device with the removable appliance as an integrated unit. The pre-formed attachments are inherently part of the appliance structure rather than separate components, eliminating the need for separate attachment fabrication and bonding procedures while maintaining improved force application capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable appliance with pre-formed attachments serves multiple functions: it provides the removable nature of aligners for patient comfort, incorporates pre-formed attachments for improved force application, and eliminates the need for separate bracket systems. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Attachments of the present disclosure combines the optimal practices of the traditional bracket-wire system and more recent resilient appliance (e.g., CTAs and polymeric bands) systems. The attachments include prescribed in/outs, torques and angulations designed utilizing the straight wire methodology for determining the bonding location on a particular tooth of the dental arch. A marriage of bracket prescription with attachment placement can help the treating professional to better visualize the treatment outcome with the tray or band on the patient.