Overlay Sizing for Oral Appliances Using Arch Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sizing oral devices, especially those intended to treat obstructive sleep apnea, are time-consuming, inconvenient, and lack accuracy, particularly when selecting from a large inventory of pre-manufactured devices with varying sizes and geometries.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing transparent or translucent overlays with sizing marks and rotational points is used to obtain an image of the patient's oral arch, allowing for intuitive and accurate alignment and selection of the appropriate oral appliance based on the shape and width of the dental arch, reducing the number of steps required for sizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple templates are used for sizing oral appliances, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the number of steps increases and the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate sizing templates into a single integrated overlay that contains all necessary sizing markings and reference points. This single overlay integrates width measurement markings, arch shape markings, and rotational reference points, allowing the practitioner to perform all sizing measurements simultaneously rather than sequentially using multiple separate templates.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlay is designed as a universal sizing tool that performs multiple functions: measuring arch width, determining arch shape, identifying rotational points, and selecting the appropriate appliance size. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized templates for each measurement type.
2Measurement precision
If individual dental impressions and molds are used for each patient, then fit accuracy is optimized, but time consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent overlay as a simplified copy or representation of the complex mold-making process. Instead of creating physical molds from dental impressions, the overlay provides a two-dimensional graphical representation that captures all necessary dimensional information for appliance selection, dramatically reducing time and material requirements while maintaining adequate accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential sizing information needed for appliance selection from the complete dental impression process. By identifying and measuring only the critical dimensions (arch width, arch shape, rotational points) rather than creating complete physical molds, the process is simplified while retaining sufficient accuracy for pre-manufactured appliance selection.
3Measurement precision
If sequential multiple template measurements are performed, then comprehensive sizing data is obtained, but measurement accuracy decreases due to multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all sizing measurements into a single simultaneous operation using one overlay. The practitioner positions the overlay once and can read all sizing dimensions (width, shape, rotational points) from the single positioned overlay, eliminating cumulative positioning errors that occur when multiple separate templates are sequentially applied.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for sizing an oral appliance includes a right overlay, a left overlay, and a wax bite plate. A dental arch impression of a patient is taken on the wax bite plate, and indicia on the right and left overlays are aligned with the dental arch impression to provide information on both the arcuate shape and width of an oral appliance which can best fit the patient.