Orthodontic Appliance Translucency Control for Reduced Gloss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clear orthodontic aligners and retainers suffer from unwanted gloss effects due to light interactions, leading to reduced appliance wear compliance among patients due to their noticeable appearance.
Innovation Solution
A network access device and method that allows users to adjust and simulate the translucency level of orthodontic appliances through a graphical user interface, enabling the determination of manufacturing parameters for creating appliances with tailored translucency, reducing perceived glossiness by using layered polymers and thermoforming techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If clear plastic aligners are used to improve aesthetics, then the appliance becomes less noticeable, but it creates an unnatural gloss effect that reduces patient compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple polymer layers with different optical properties. Specifically, it uses a first polymer layer (more translucent) and a second polymer layer (less translucent) to create an orthodontic appliance that mimics natural tooth appearance while reducing the unwanted gloss effect of clear plastic aligners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different translucency levels within the appliance structure. The first polymer layer provides higher translucency in areas where natural tooth appearance is desired, while the second polymer layer provides lower translucency to reduce gloss effects, allowing different parts of the appliance to have optimized properties for their specific functions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If translucent polymer layers are used to reduce glossiness, then aesthetic appearance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the orthodontic appliance into multiple discrete polymer layers that can be manufactured separately and then bonded together. This allows each layer to be optimized for specific optical properties while using standard thermoforming equipment, thereby managing manufacturing complexity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the optical properties of the polymer materials, specifically their translucency and haze characteristics. By selecting polymers with different translucency parameters and controlling the bonding process, the invention achieves reduced glossiness while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing workflows.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple polymer layers are bonded together to control translucency, then aesthetic appearance improves, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the polymer layers to their bonding temperature before assembly. This allows the layers to be bonded together more efficiently once stacked, reducing the overall manufacturing time. The pre-heating step prepares the materials in advance, so that the actual bonding process occurs quickly when the layers are combined under vacuum or pressure.
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 solution effectively reduces perceived glossiness, making the appliances more aesthetically acceptable by mimicking the appearance of natural teeth, thereby enhancing patient compliance and satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
heating and pressure to bond a first polymer layer to a second polymer layer
Implementation Method 2
heating and pressure to bond a first polymer layer to a second polymer layer
Implementation Method 3
manufacturing parameters can include one or more of pressure, vacuum, heat, time, and/or cooling parameters for a thermoforming device
Implementation Method 4
manufacturing parameters can include one or more of pressure, vacuum, heat, time, and/or cooling parameters for a thermoforming device
Implementation Method 5
manufacturing parameters can include one or more of pressure, vacuum, heat, time, and/or cooling parameters for a thermoforming device
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A graphical user interface ("GUI") is generated on the display, the GUI has a graphical depiction that simulates a translucence level of an oral appliance. The graphical depiction of the translucence level is adjustable based on a user input. A value based on the user selected translucence level is sent to an external device for determination of manufacturing parameters for the oral appliance.