Orthodontic Device with Integral Bonding Tray and Pre-secured Brackets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional indirect bonding techniques in orthodontics are inefficient and prone to errors due to the manual placement of orthodontic appliances in bonding trays, which are created independently of the brackets, leading to time-consuming and inaccurate placement.
Innovation Solution
An orthodontic device with integral support structures and appliances, manufactured as a single unit, that secures orthodontic appliances to a bonding tray based on a patient's dentition, eliminating the need for manual placement and reducing error possibilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional indirect bonding techniques are used with independently created bonding trays, then the bonding process can be performed indirectly, but manual placement of brackets becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bonding tray and brackets into a single integrated appliance where brackets are pre-secured to the bonding tray. This merging eliminates the separate steps of creating a bonding tray and then manually placing brackets, resolving the contradiction by maintaining indirect bonding capability while removing the time-consuming manual placement step.
Solution Approach 2:
The brackets are pre-positioned and secured to the bonding tray during appliance fabrication before the clinical procedure. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual bracket placement during the bonding appointment, reducing treatment time while preserving indirect bonding advantages.
2Ease of operation
If traditional indirect bonding techniques are used with independently created bonding trays, then indirect bonding can be performed, but accuracy of bracket placement deteriorates due to manual positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating brackets directly onto the bonding tray as a single appliance, the invention eliminates manual bracket positioning entirely. The brackets are factory-secured at precise locations, ensuring high placement accuracy while maintaining the benefits of indirect bonding technique.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of positioning brackets by hand is replaced with a precision manufacturing process where brackets are secured to the bonding tray using automated or precision fixtures during appliance fabrication, thereby improving placement accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If brackets are manually placed in bonding trays, then indirect bonding can be performed, but the process becomes tedious and difficult with increased error sources
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the bonding tray and brackets into one integrated appliance, reducing the number of separate components and steps. This simplification maintains indirect bonding capability while eliminating the tedious manual placement process and reducing potential error sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated appliance is self-positioning in that the pre-secured brackets automatically align with the bonding tray features during application. This self-service characteristic eliminates the need for complex manual manipulation and reduces operator skill requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to orthodontic devices. In some embodiments, an orthodontic device comprises a bonding tray, a plurality of support structures, wherein the plurality of support structures are integral to the bonding tray, and a plurality of orthodontic appliances, wherein the plurality of orthodontic appliances are secured to the bonding tray via the support structures and oriented based on a patient's dentition, and wherein the plurality of orthodontic appliances are integral to the bonding tray.