Orthodontic Bracket Hook with Localized Bend Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic brackets made from high-strength materials require a large application of force to adjust or bend hooks, which can cause damage or discomfort, and may lead to unwanted bending under orthodontic loads.
Innovation Solution
The design of an adjustable orthodontic bracket with a hook featuring a geometric configuration that includes a neck region, a bend region, and a head, where the neck region transitions into a curved head with a specific angle, concentrating stress at the bend region to minimize the force required for adjustment while maintaining stability under orthodontic loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-strength materials are used for the bracket and hook, then the bracket can withstand orthodontic loads and maintain structural integrity, but a large application of force is required to adjust or bend the hook
Solution Approach 1:
The hook is designed with a non-uniform cross-sectional area, featuring a reduced cross-sectional area at the bend region compared to other regions. This creates a localized area with different mechanical properties - the bend region has lower stiffness and requires less force to deform, while other regions maintain sufficient strength to withstand orthodontic loads. This resolves the contradiction by making the hook easy to adjust at the bend region while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Reliability
If high-strength materials are used for the bracket and hook, then the bracket provides sufficient stability to withstand orthodontic loads, but the hook may cause discomfort or irritation requiring adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The hook incorporates a bend region with reduced cross-sectional area that allows easy adjustment to eliminate discomfort, while other regions maintain full strength for stability. The design enables practitioners to adjust the hook's orientation or position to avoid irritating the patient's cheeks or lips, while the overall structure retains sufficient strength to withstand orthodontic loads and maintain reliable attachment of auxiliary devices.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hook is designed with uniform cross-sectional area, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but a large application of force is required to bend the hook and adjustment may cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hook is designed with a non-uniform cross-sectional area, featuring a reduced cross-sectional area at the bend region. This creates a localized area intended to bend during adjustment, requiring significantly less force compared to a uniform design. The reduced cross-sectional area at the bend region acts as a stress concentration point that facilitates controlled deformation, while other regions maintain sufficient thickness for structural integrity, preventing damage during adjustment.
4Ease of operation
If the hook cross-sectional area is reduced at the bend region, then the force required to adjust the hook is minimized, but the hook may become unstable under orthodontic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The hook features a non-uniform cross-sectional area with a reduced area specifically at the bend region, while other regions maintain sufficient cross-sectional area for structural integrity. This localized reduction creates a stress concentration point that facilitates easy adjustment with minimal force, while the overall hook structure retains adequate strength and stability to withstand orthodontic loads and maintain reliable attachment of auxiliary devices.
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
This design reduces the force needed to bend the hook by up to 75% compared to conventional designs, ensuring the hook can be adjusted comfortably without sacrificing structural integrity, and maintains stability against orthodontic loads.
Implementation Method 1
the neck region transitions into a curved head with a specific angle, concentrating stress at the bend region to minimize the force required for adjustment
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An orthodontic bracket (10) with an adjustable hook (118, 218) designed to facilitate bending. The orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body (12) mountable to a tooth and an adjustable hook extending from the bracket body, the adjustable hook comprising a stem base structure (128, 228), a bend region (126, 226) extending from the stem base structure, a neck region (124, 224) extending from the bend region, and a head (122, 222) extending from the neck region. In some embodiments, the adjustable hook has a length, L1, measured from a bottom portion of the stem base structure to the head, and a length, L2, measured from a bottom portion of the neck region of the hook stem to a free end of the head, wherein L2 is greater than or equal to 60% of L1.