Orthodontic Digital Bracket with Integrated Jig and Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic treatments rely heavily on the experience and subjective judgment of orthodontists, leading to inefficiencies, increased treatment time, and variability in results due to the lack of objective precision and uniformity in bracket placement, which affects the alignment and straightening of teeth.
Innovation Solution
The development of an orthodontic digital bracket using a digital library, which involves loading oral scan images, extracting virtual orthodontic templates, aligning virtual brackets and wires, and three-dimensionally printing digital brackets with integrated jig and grip protrusion portions for precise alignment and fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If typical orthodontic treatment is executed according to experience of an orthodontist with manual adjustment, then the orthodontist can directly pull or release wire to adjust tooth arrangement, but time consumed for orthodontics increases and convenience and pain of the subject are aggravated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning multiple brackets in a tooth arrangement model before actual treatment. The computer calculates optimal bracket positions in advance based on the patient's tooth model, creating a treatment plan that guides subsequent wire adjustments without requiring repeated manual trial-and-error adjustments during treatment sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a digital three-dimensional tooth arrangement model that replicates the patient's actual tooth structure. This virtual model allows for simulation and planning of bracket placement and wire tension adjustments, enabling the orthodontist to optimize treatment parameters before applying them to the actual patient, thereby reducing treatment time and improving convenience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If much depends on an ability of an orthodontist for typical orthodontic treatment, then the orthodontist can use subjective experience to adjust treatment, but the treatment is not objective and it is generally difficult to provide a desirable tooth arrangement state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the computer to calculate and analyze the effects of wire tension on tooth movement based on the three-dimensional model. The system provides quantitative feedback on how different bracket positions and wire tensions will affect tooth arrangement, allowing the orthodontist to make objective, data-driven decisions rather than relying solely on subjective experience, thereby improving measurement precision and objectivity of treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical, experience-based manual adjustment system with a computer-based calculation and simulation system. The computer objectively calculates optimal bracket positions and wire tension parameters based on the tooth model, substituting subjective orthodontist judgment with objective computational analysis, thereby enhancing measurement precision while maintaining adaptability through customizable treatment plans.
3Ease of manufacture
If a bracket is provided to be substantially uniform with a single size, then manufacturing is simplified, but positions of brackets attached to adjacent teeth are irregularly fixed and tension of wire is not properly transferred to teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining specific, customized positions for each bracket on individual teeth based on the three-dimensional tooth model and the calculated treatment plan. Instead of using uniform bracket positions for all teeth, the system calculates optimal local positions for each bracket to ensure proper wire tension transfer, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of manufacture through computerized positioning guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing an orthodontic digital bracket using a digital library, including: loading an oral scan image and extracting one virtual orthodontic template corresponding to each of tooth images that are virtually adjusted according to a preset consecutive tooth arrangement structure from a digital library; aligning and disposing each of virtual brackets and a virtual wire of the extracted virtual orthodontic template corresponding to the consecutive tooth arrangement structure of each of the tooth images that are virtually adjusted; and designing each of digital brackets configured to include a jig portion assembled with a top of each of the virtual brackets to surround a top of each of the tooth images, and a grip protrusion portion configured to protrude from a top end of the jig portion while being integrated therewith, and three-dimensionally printing each of the digital brackets based on design data.