3D-Printed Orthodontic Shells With Elastic Regions for Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic appliances often fail to generate the necessary forces for effective tooth repositioning and lack sufficient control over applied forces, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in orthodontic treatments.
Innovation Solution
The development of orthodontic appliances with discontinuities and elastic members directly coupled to the shell, allowing for precise control of forces and improved compliance, enabling enhanced tooth repositioning and reduced patient discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single appliance shell with homogeneous and continuous material properties is used, then the appliance structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the control over forces applied to teeth is insufficient and patient comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance shell is divided into multiple discrete segments that can move relative to each other, with elastic members connecting the segments to enable controlled force application. This segmentation allows different regions of the appliance to have different compliance characteristics, improving force control precision while maintaining manufacturability through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the appliance are designed with varying material properties and structural characteristics. Specifically, certain areas incorporate elastic members and discontinuities to provide localized compliance and force control, while other regions maintain rigid structures for stability. This local differentiation enables precise control over forces applied to different teeth.
2Strength
If the appliance rigidity is increased to provide structural stability, then the appliance maintains its shape better, but the ability to be coupled to patient's teeth is interfered with and patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance incorporates dynamic elements including elastic members and movable segments that allow the structure to adapt to the patient's teeth. These dynamic components enable the appliance to transition between rigid and compliant states, providing structural stability when needed while accommodating tooth variations and movements to reduce patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance utilizes flexible elements such as elastic members and thin-walled structures in specific regions to provide compliance with patient anatomy. These flexible components allow the appliance to conform to tooth surfaces and accommodate natural variations in tooth position and shape, reducing discomfort while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Device complexity
If current orthodontic appliances are used, then the appliance structure is simple, but the appliances cannot effectively generate the forces needed to achieve desired tooth repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance incorporates pre-loaded elastic members that are configured to exert forces on teeth from the beginning of treatment. These elastic members are pre-stressed during manufacturing to provide immediate and consistent force application, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while effectively generating the forces needed for tooth repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance design incorporates multiple elastic members and discontinuities that enable rapid force application and tooth movement. By using multiple compliant elements working in parallel, the appliance can generate sufficient repositioning forces more quickly than traditional single-element designs, reducing treatment time while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
The appliances provide improved force control and comfort by utilizing elastic members interacting with discontinuities, facilitating efficient and precise tooth movement.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member interacting with or configured to interact with the discontinuity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for fabricating orthodontic appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes directly fabricating a shell using an additive manufacturing technique. The shell can have an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface can include a plurality of teeth-receiving cavities shaped to reposition a patient's dentition from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement. The method may also include directly fabricating an elastic region joined to the shell using an additive manufacturing technique, concurrently with directly fabricating the shell.