Orthodontic Grip Member for Predictable Tooth Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic appliances face challenges in achieving predictable and efficient tooth movement, particularly in buccal/lingual and distal/mesial directions, due to weak anchorage, complexity in wire placement, and limited cleanability, leading to unintended tooth movement and increased treatment duration and cost.
Innovation Solution
A correction device with a grip member that covers the tooth row, gum, and alveolar bone areas, using independent pieces and a force applying member to move teeth in desired directions, ensuring strong anchorage and preventing reaction force-induced movement of adjacent teeth, while allowing horizontal movement and inclination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a holding arch is used to correct tooth alignment, then tooth movement can be achieved using the force of a wire between tooth rows, but the anchorage is weak and the device is easily displaced
Solution Approach 1:
The grip member is divided into multiple independent pieces (first piece and second piece) that can be separately positioned and secured. This segmentation allows each piece to independently engage with anchorage teeth, distributing the anchorage load and preventing displacement while maintaining the ability to apply corrective force to the target tooth row.
2Force
If a multi-bracket system is used to apply force to correct tooth alignment, then certain force can be applied to the tooth row, but highly technical and complicated wire placement and shape configuration are required
Solution Approach 1:
The grip member is designed as a universal appliance that can correct various types of tooth misalignment (buccal-lingual, distal-mesial, and inclined movements) without requiring different wire configurations or bracket arrangements. The single grip member structure performs multiple correction functions that would otherwise require complex multi-bracket systems with customized wire placement.
3Force
If a multi-bracket system is used to move tooth row in distal-mesial directions, then buccal-lingual movement is achieved, but distal-mesial movement is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The grip member is designed with asymmetric engagement features where the first and second pieces can be positioned at different locations and orientations. This asymmetry allows the appliance to apply force in multiple directions (buccal-lingual, distal-mesial, and inclined) by adjusting the position and configuration of the individual pieces, providing versatility in movement direction.
4Force
If an expansion plate is used with an expansion screw between divided plates, then tooth row can be moved, but the plate is easily detached and no satisfactory anchorage is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The grip member is designed to engage with anchorage teeth at multiple points before force application begins. The first and second pieces are positioned to securely grip anchorage teeth, establishing stable anchorage in advance. This preliminary engagement prevents detachment during the application of corrective force, eliminating the retention problems of expansion plates.
5Reliability
If conventional aligner is used to move correction target tooth row, then large anchorage is ensured, but permanent deformation of the aligner is easily caused and treatment period is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The grip member is designed with optimized thickness and material properties that provide sufficient strength to prevent permanent deformation while maintaining flexibility for tooth movement. By changing the physical parameters (thickness, material composition) of the appliance, it achieves both the anchorage strength of conventional aligners and the durability needed for efficient treatment without extension.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic appliance can easily achieve and ensure movement of correction target tooth row in a desired direction and achieve highly predictable treatment is provided while anchorage is satisfactorily ensured. A correction device includes a grip member formed to fit to an inner shape of an oral cavity of a patient so as to grip and cover a tooth row, gum parts, and alveolar bone parts of the patient. The correction device includes a first piece 20 covering an area extending from a crown part to a periphery of a cervical part of a correction target tooth and a second piece included in the grip member. The correction device further includes a force applying member 30 provided to connect the first piece 20 to the second piece 10 and configured to move the correction target tooth in a desired direction.