Orthodontic Bracket Positioning Guide with Rigid Elements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indirect bonding methods for orthodontic brackets face challenges in maintaining precise positioning due to deviations during the transfer of positioning guides, which are typically made of flexible materials and lack structural integrity to ensure accurate placement.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a positioning guide with a rigid guiding structure and a flexible linking structure, where the rigid guiding structure is inflexible and covers the outer surface of the orthodontic bracket and occlusal surface of the tooth, while the flexible linking structure connects these parts, providing elasticity and retaining form, and a rigid linking structure enhances structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flexible polymer material (e.g., EVA resin) is used to make the positioning guide, then the positioning guide can be easily manufactured and applied, but the installing position of the orthodontic bracket easily deviates when transferring the positioning guide

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning guide is divided into multiple independent positioning elements (first positioning element, second positioning element, etc.), each responsible for positioning specific orthodontic brackets on specific teeth. This segmentation allows each element to be precisely fitted to maintain positioning accuracy while simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning guide uses composite construction with rigid positioning elements that maintain structural integrity and positioning precision, combined with flexible linking structures that provide adaptability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between manufacturing ease and positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible polymer material is used for the positioning guide, then the guide can adapt to tooth surfaces, but the guide lacks structural integrity to ensure accurate placement

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning guide consists of multiple independent positioning elements connected by linking structures. Each positioning element can independently adapt to its corresponding tooth surface while the rigid structure of each element maintains structural integrity for accurate bracket placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the positioning guide have different properties: the positioning elements are rigid to maintain structural integrity and positioning accuracy, while the linking structures are flexible to provide adaptability to tooth surfaces. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between adaptability and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the positioning guide is made entirely rigid, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but the guide cannot easily conform to the patient's dentition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning guide is segmented into rigid positioning elements and flexible linking structures. The rigid elements ensure positioning accuracy while the flexible linkages enable the guide to conform to the patient's dentition, improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning guide incorporates dynamic flexibility through its linking structures, allowing the rigid positioning elements to adapt to varying tooth positions and angles. This dynamic design maintains positioning accuracy while improving ease of operation during application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach allows for precise and easy positioning of orthodontic brackets, maintaining positional accuracy during transfer and ensuring the ideal treatment effect by minimizing deviations and improving structural support.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible linking structure is elastic and retains form

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240041567A1Dental appliance

Publication Date: 2024.02.08 HUNG CHENG HSIANG

AI summary

A method of producing a positioning guide for an orthodontic bracket is provided. The method includes determining and fixing a position of the orthodontic bracket in relation to a side surface of a corresponding tooth of a setup dental model, wherein the setup dental model has a dentition state of the patient's dental arch after orthodontic treatment; forming a rigid guiding structure with a first part covering the outer surface of each orthodontic bracket and a second part covering the occlusal surface of the corresponding tooth; and forming a flexible linking structure to connect the first part and the second part of the rigid guiding structure to obtain the positioning guide for the respective orthodontic bracket, wherein the rigid guiding structure is inflexible and the flexible linking structure is elastic and retains form.