Orthodontic Telescoping Assembly for Simultaneous Arch Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic appliances, such as the Herbst device, face challenges in simultaneously correcting Class II malocclusions and aligning teeth, often causing patient discomfort, obstructing access to teeth, and requiring additional treatment time and cost due to their design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A pair of archwires with a telescoping assembly and biasing spring system that allows for simultaneous movement of the upper and lower dental arches, enabling rearward movement of the upper arch and forward movement of the lower arch without adverse tooth movement, while maintaining occlusal alignment, using a multiple section elongated telescoping assembly and a compression spring to exert force along the archwire axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional Herbst device is used to correct Class II malocclusion, then the lower jaw is forced into the desired position, but the device creates patient discomfort, irritation, and aesthetic concerns due to its long and stiff assembly positioned in the front of the mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance divides the force application system into separate components: individual brackets on each arch, a connection rod linking the arches, and distinct force application points. This segmentation allows the device to correct malocclusion while distributing mechanical stress more evenly, reducing patient discomfort and irritation associated with conventional unified designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from the conventional Herbst device's linear front-to-back positioning to a three-dimensional configuration where the connection rod extends horizontally between arches at the posterior region. This dimensional repositioning moves the appliance away from the anterior visible area, eliminating aesthetic concerns and reducing soft tissue irritation while maintaining correction effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a Herbst device extends from upper molar to lower bicuspid, then malocclusion is corrected, but access to anterior teeth is obstructed making it difficult to affix orthodontic brackets
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance uses separate brackets on each dental arch rather than a continuous long assembly. This segmentation creates discrete attachment points at the posterior region, leaving the anterior tooth surfaces fully accessible for bracket placement and orthodontic treatment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the connection mechanism from the anterior region where it obstructs access, relocating it to the posterior region where it does not interfere with bracket affixation. The force application is also extracted from direct jaw forcing to distributed bracing through the arches, eliminating obstruction while maintaining correction function.
3Reliability
If a long and stiff Herbst assembly is used, then jaw positioning is effective, but the device is easily visible during treatment and creates aesthetic concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention repositions the connection mechanism from the anterior vertical dimension to the posterior horizontal dimension. The connection rod extends laterally between arches at the back of the mouth, moving the appliance out of the visible field and eliminating aesthetic concerns while maintaining jaw positioning effectiveness through the same biomechanical principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance segments the structure into discrete posterior elements (brackets and connection rod) rather than a single long anterior assembly. This segmentation allows the functional components to be positioned in the invisible posterior region, eliminating visibility concerns while preserving the mechanical effectiveness of jaw positioning.
4Reliability
If conventional Herbst devices are used to correct malocclusion, then jaw alignment is achieved, but additional treatment time and cost are required for subsequent tooth alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two previously separate treatment objectives (malocclusion correction and tooth alignment) into a single integrated appliance system. The brackets and connection rod simultaneously address both jaw relationship correction and dental arch alignment, eliminating the need for sequential treatment phases and reducing total treatment time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance performs multiple functions simultaneously: it corrects the malocclusion by positioning the jaws relative to each other, aligns the dental arches through distributed bracing, and maintains tooth positioning during treatment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized appliances or treatment phases, reducing overall treatment time and cost.
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 solution allows for effective and efficient simultaneous correction of malocclusions and teeth alignment, reducing patient discomfort and treatment time, while being aesthetically appealing and easy to manufacture, with the appliance being discreetly located in the oral cavity.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing spring which is received, at least in part, within the internal cavity of at least one of the telescoping sections of the multiple section, elongated telescoping assembly, and wherein a biasing force exerted by the spring is applied to the multiple section, elongated telescoping assembly
Implementation Method 2
a multiple section, elongated telescoping assembly having opposite proximal and distal ends, and wherein the proximal end is rotatably attached to the archwire coupler which is affixed to the archwire installed on the upper dental arch of the patient, and wherein the distal end of the telescoping assembly is rotatably affixed to the archwire coupler which is affixed on the archwire installed on the lower dental arch of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic appliance is disclosed and which cooperates with both the upper and lower dental arches of a patient and which includes an archwire coupler which is attached to individual archwires that are releasably attached to the anterior facing surface of a patient's teeth requiring orthodontic treatment; and a multiple section elongated telescoping assembly which is rotatably and releasably coupled to the archwires attached to the upper and lower dental arches of a patient undergoing treatment, and wherein the multiple section elongated telescoping assembly effects movement of the upper dental arch in a rearward direction, and the lower dental arch in a forward direction when the multiple section elongated telescoping assembly is in a given position along a predetermined course of travel.