Orthodontic Tracking Template for Wire-to-Aligner Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic treatments, such as wire-and-bracket systems and patient-removable shell appliances, face challenges in efficiently transitioning between treatment phases and ensuring accurate tooth positioning without requiring frequent impressions or scans.
Innovation Solution
The use of an orthodontic tracking template that fits over teeth in a planned intermediate arrangement without applying a tooth-moving force, allowing for a smooth transition from wire-and-bracket treatments to patient-removable appliances, and determining if teeth are ready for the next treatment phase without removing affixed appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional wire-and-bracket treatments are used to move teeth gradually, then teeth can be repositioned to desired positions, but frequent clinical visits and reactive adjustments are required, increasing treatment time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The orthodontic tracking template allows the orthodontist to pre-determine the intermediate tooth arrangement before treatment begins. The template is fabricated based on digital models to show the target intermediate position, enabling proactive treatment planning rather than reactive adjustments during frequent clinical visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking template creates a physical copy or representation of the desired intermediate tooth arrangement. This template serves as a reference model that the actual teeth should match, allowing visual comparison and assessment without requiring multiple scanning or imaging sessions.
2Productivity
If patient-removable shell appliances are used to reposition teeth, then fewer clinical visits are needed, but it is difficult to determine when teeth are ready for the next phase without impressions or scans
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking template provides a physical reference copy of the target tooth arrangement that can be directly compared against the patient's actual teeth. This eliminates the need for additional impressions or scans to assess treatment progress, as the template itself serves as the measurement standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking template creates an equipotential reference state by providing a physical model at the same scale and orientation as the patient's mouth. This allows direct visual and tactile comparison without requiring complex imaging equipment or multiple measurement sessions.
3Measurement precision
If traditional methods require impressions or scans to assess tooth position, then accurate measurement is possible, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating multiple digital copies through impressions and scans, the invention uses a single physical tracking template that represents the target arrangement. This template can be placed directly in the patient's mouth for visual comparison, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking template serves as an intermediary reference object between the digital treatment plan and the patient's actual teeth. It translates the digital intermediate arrangement into a physical form that can be directly compared with the patient's current tooth position, eliminating the need for multiple digital scanning steps.
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
Enables a seamless transition between treatment phases, improves the quality of fit between appliances, and allows for determination of tooth readiness without the need for impressions or scans, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of orthodontic treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The imparted forces are resilient in nature and are associated with corresponding appliance elastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus's for improving orthodontic treatments. In an embodiment, an orthodontic tracking template is provided for assisting in determining whether a patient's teeth are in an appropriate tooth arrangement for transitioning between a wire and bracket orthodontic treatment to a patient-removable orthodontic appliance treatment. The tracking template may include a shell portion defining a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities arranged to fit over at least a portion of the patient's teeth in an intermediate tooth arrangement without applying a tooth-moving force to the teeth or to any brackets attached to the teeth.