Orthodontic Appliance with Tooth-Shaped Mounting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic appliances face challenges such as discomfort, reduced effectiveness due to enamel damage, and difficulty in maintaining oral hygiene, particularly with the use of Adams clasps and wires that cause pain and unintended tooth movements, leading to premature occlusal contacts and reduced treatment compliance.
Innovation Solution
The appliance features a labial arch with a correcting plate that covers the entire surface of anterior teeth, mounted elements that accurately reproduce the shape of premolar and molar teeth, and a pushing arch with orthodontic springs, eliminating the need for Adams clasps and providing a more precise and comfortable force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Adams clasps and wires are used to attach the appliance onto teeth, then the appliance can be securely fixed, but enamel damage occurs and oral hygiene becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful Adams clasps and wires from the appliance structure. Instead of using traditional wire clasps that embed into enamel, the invention uses a base plate with mounting elements that attach to teeth through a different mechanism, eliminating the source of enamel damage while maintaining fixation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a base plate as an intermediary component between the appliance and teeth. This base plate with its mounting elements serves as a mediator that provides secure attachment without directly contacting enamel in a damaging way, thus protecting teeth while ensuring reliable fixation
2Reliability
If Adams clasps are used to attach the appliance, then the appliance can be secured onto teeth, but unintended tooth movements occur causing pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the Adams clasp mechanism that causes unintended tooth movements and pain. By removing this component and using alternative mounting elements on a base plate, the invention maintains secure attachment while preventing the harmful side effects of tooth movement and discomfort
3Reliability
If permanent appliances with locks and wires are used, then orthodontic correction can be maintained, but oral hygiene becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wires and locks that create hygiene difficulties. The simplified base plate design with mounting elements allows better access for brushing and flossing while maintaining the necessary orthodontic correction through the pushing arch mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality changes by creating a base plate with specific mounting element configurations that provide secure attachment in critical areas while leaving other areas accessible for hygiene maintenance. The design allows different regions of the appliance to serve different functions - some areas for secure attachment, others for ease of cleaning
4Reliability
If Adams clasps are used to attach the appliance, then the appliance can be fixed onto teeth, but the interdental spaces are reduced lowering effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the Adams clasps that encroach on interdental spaces. By using mounting elements on a base plate, the appliance maintains fixation while preserving the necessary interdental spaces for effectiveness, allowing the pushing arch to work properly on the teeth
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
This design enhances the appliance's effectiveness by ensuring precise tooth alignment, reducing discomfort, and increasing patient compliance through improved force distribution and aesthetic appeal, while minimizing enamel damage and mucosa irritation.
Implementation Method 1
a pushing arch (2) having a pressing block (12) and two arms (13, 13') equipped with pushing means (15, 15')... pushing means being equipped with orthodontic springs
Data Source
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AI summary
An appliance for orthodontic correction of setting of one or more anterior teeth in the patient's jaw or mandible, an appliance comprising a labial arch having a correcting plate and two arms equipped with tensioning means; and a base consisting of two opposite mounting elements linked by a connector and provided for attaching the appliance onto the teeth on both sides of the patient's jaw or mandible, wherein the arms of the labial arch are mounted in the mounting elements of the base, and wherein each of the mounting elements is in the form of a plate reproducing the shape of at least two consecutive premolar teeth of the patient, preferably two premolar teeth and a following molar tooth, most preferably two premolar teeth and two following molar teeth, and wherein the mounting elements are so arranged that when placed onto the patient's jaw or mandible, the mounting elements cover the upper and lateral surfaces of the patient's tooth crowns.