Orthodontic Power Arm Geometry for Precise Tooth Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior orthodontic methods lack precise control over force application to teeth, often using homogeneous materials and requiring supplementary devices, which can lead to inefficient tooth movement.
Innovation Solution
The development of orthodontic appliances with variable localized properties, such as heterogeneous thickness, stiffness, and material composition, produced through direct fabrication techniques, allowing for precise control of force application and integration of complex geometries and features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If homogeneous materials and continuous material properties are used in orthodontic appliances, then manufacturing is simpler, but control over force application to teeth is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The orthodontic appliance incorporates regions with different material properties (e.g., varying stiffness, elasticity, or strength) at specific locations to control force application precisely. This allows different portions of the appliance to exert different forces on different teeth, enabling precise control over tooth movement while maintaining a single integrated structure that is relatively easy to manufacture.
2Force
If supplementary devices are used to apply force to teeth, then force application capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates force-applying features directly into the orthodontic appliance structure itself, eliminating the need for separate supplementary devices. The appliance includes built-in elements such as springs, wires, or flexible regions that can apply force to teeth, thereby enhancing force application capability while reducing overall device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated appliance.
3Force
If prior power arms are used to apply torque to teeth, then tooth movement is achieved, but placement and control precision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The orthodontic appliance is pre-configured with force-applying elements positioned and oriented to apply torque to specific teeth with high precision. The appliance design includes pre-determined geometry and material properties that ensure accurate placement and controlled torque application, eliminating the need for complex adjustment procedures during clinical use and improving placement precision compared to traditional power arms.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for fabricating dental appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a system comprising one or more processors, and a memory operably coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to determine an appliance geometry for a dental appliance including a shell configured to move the patient's teeth from an initial arrangement toward a target arrangement. The appliance geometry can include a first power arm having a first connection point for connecting to the shell, a second power arm having a second connection point for connecting to the shell or to a tooth, an elongate connecting structure coupled to the first and second power arms, and an elongate counter-force connector coupled to the first power arm and extending toward the second power arm.