Orthodontic Appliance for Maxillary Expansion and Mandibular Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for severe Class III malocclusion, characterized by a recessed maxilla and a protruding mandible, often require surgery, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A patient-removable orthodontic device with an anchorage structure, palatal expansion structure, and protrusions that expand the maxilla and retract the mandible, using expansion screws and elastics to align the jaws without surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical treatment is performed to correct severe Class III malocclusion, then proper occlusion can be achieved, but the treatment becomes invasive and requires surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces surgical mechanical intervention with a non-surgical orthodontic appliance system. The device uses expansion screws and elastic forces to achieve maxillary expansion and mandibular retraction through biological remodeling rather than surgical cutting and repositioning, thereby eliminating surgical invasiveness while maintaining correction effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the treatment approach from surgical parameter modification to non-surgical parameter modification. By using adjustable expansion screws and elastic forces, the system gradually modifies jaw position and dental arch dimensions through controlled mechanical loading, achieving occlusion correction without surgical intervention
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional orthodontic appliances are used, then teeth alignment can be achieved, but severe Class III malocclusion with skeletal discrepancies cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional orthodontic appliance that combines maxillary expansion, mandibular retraction, and teeth alignment capabilities in a single device. The appliance can address both dental alignment and skeletal discrepancies, making it universally applicable to severe Class III malocclusion cases that traditional appliances cannot treat
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the orthodontic correction into separate functional components: the anchorage structure for maxillary expansion, the protrusions for mandibular retraction, and the tooth-contacting components for alignment. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of severe malocclusion, enabling comprehensive treatment that traditional single-function appliances cannot achieve
3Reliability
If surgery is performed to eliminate gaps between maxilla and mandible, then proper occlusion is achieved, but treatment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the orthodontic appliance to proactively expand the maxilla and retract the mandible before final occlusion is achieved. The expansion screws and elastic forces work in advance to close the gaps between jaws, eliminating the need for surgical intervention and reducing overall treatment time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action through the orthodontic appliance that continuously applies expansion and retraction forces throughout the treatment period. The adjustable screws and elastic components provide ongoing mechanical stimulation for bone remodeling and gap closure, achieving effective treatment without the downtime associated with surgical recovery
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
Facilitates non-surgical correction of Class III malocclusion by expanding the maxilla and retracting the mandible, reducing treatment time and eliminating gaps between the jaws.
Implementation Method 1
each of the left and right anterior teeth parts is movable between an initial position and a target position under forces driven by the expansion screws
Implementation Method 2
The at least one protrusion is formed on the occlusal side of the expanded arch and configured to contact the patient's mandibular dental arch when the orthodontic device is worn
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic device is provided, including an anchorage structure, a palatal expansion structure, and at least one protrusion. The anchorage structure includes left and right posterior teeth caps configured to be removably worn on the posterior teeth of the maxillary dental arch; a palatal bar connecting the left and right posterior teeth caps; and an expanded arch extending from the left posterior teeth cap to the right posterior teeth cap. The palatal expansion structure includes: left and right anterior teeth parts configured to be removably worn on the anterior teeth of the maxillary dental arch; and expansion screws connecting the left anterior teeth part and the right anterior teeth part to each other and to the palatal bar. The at least one protrusion is formed on then occlusal side of the expanded arch and configured to contact the patient's mandibular dental arch when the orthodontic device is worn.