Orthodontic Bracket with Smooth Curved Covering Part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional orthodontic brackets cause irritation and discomfort due to protruding limbs, and they can trap food particles leading to oral health issues such as tartar and plaque accumulation, which increases the risk of demineralization and dental caries.

Innovation Solution

A bracket design featuring a smooth curved surface where the main body part and covering part engage seamlessly, eliminating protrusions and facilitating easy cleaning, reducing irritation and the accumulation of plaque and tartar.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional brackets with protruding limbs are used, then ligation function is provided, but mucosal irritation and patient discomfort occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveligation functionVSAvoidmucosal irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful protruding limbs from the bracket design while retaining the essential ligation function through the archwire slot and cover mechanism. The covering part can be opened to allow archwire insertion and closed to provide ligation, eliminating the need for protruding limbs that cause mucosal irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using protruding limbs to achieve ligation, the patent inverts the approach by using a recessed slot with a movable cover. The ligation function is achieved by the cover closing over the slot rather than by protruding elements, thus eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the useful function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If traditional brackets with protruding limbs are used, then structural support is provided, but food retention and plaque accumulation occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidplaque accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curved surfaces to the bracket body and covering part, creating a smooth, rounded profile that prevents food particles from being trapped. The curved design eliminates sharp corners and protrusions where plaque and tartar would accumulate, making the bracket easier to clean while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of food retention into a benefit by designing a smooth surface that actively prevents food accumulation. The curved geometry and lack of protruding limbs transform the bracket from a food-trapping structure to one that facilitates oral hygiene.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If smooth curved surface design is implemented, then patient comfort and ease of cleaning are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemucosal irritationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the bracket into two separate components: a bracket body and a covering part. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured separately with standard processes, and the curved surfaces can be formed using conventional molding techniques. The separate pieces can then be assembled through simple engagement features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the bracket surfaces from sharp-edged and angular to curved and rounded. These parameter changes can be achieved through standard CNC machining or molding processes, making the smooth surface design compatible with existing manufacturing capabilities while improving comfort and cleanability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3158968B1Bracket, bracket straightening system and teeth straightening method
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 GUANGZHOU OO MEDICAL SCI CO LTD
  • EP3158968B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3158968B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3158968B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A bracket, an orthodontics system with the bracket and an orthodontic method are disclosed. The bracket includes a main body part and a covering part. The fixing plate has an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the fixing plate is provided with a bonding layer, the upper surface of the fixing plate is provided with a first groove which divides the upper surface of the fixing plate into a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the fixing plate is provided on its surface with a protruding portion, and the protruding portion has a smooth curved surface. The covering part has an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the covering part matches with the surface of the second end portion of the fixing plate, and the covering part has a smooth curved surface which matches with the surface of the protruding portion. The bracket according to the present disclosure is comfortable to use in the mouth, beneficial for oral hygiene and reduces risk of demineralization of the tooth around the bracket and dental caries. The bracket is easy to use and operate which saves time.