Patient-Specific Orthodontic Alignment Body for Bracket Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic bracket placement methods, both direct and indirect, suffer from inefficiencies and human error due to the cumbersome nature of current indirect bonding apparatuses, which can be improved through the use of additive manufacturing to create more precise and efficient orthodontic devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of an orthodontic device comprising an alignment body with recesses for receiving teeth, support members with bracket receiving structures, and positioning mechanisms that allow reversible movement between bonding and non-bonding positions, utilizing various actuation methods such as sliding, rotating, and magnetic engagement to facilitate precise bracket placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct bracket placement by hand is used, then user skill and knowledge are required for accurate placement, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a customized indirect bonding apparatus specific to each patient's dentition model before the actual bracket placement procedure. This preliminary customization includes creating an alignment body with recesses that precisely match the patient's tooth positions, allowing brackets to be pre-positioned accurately on the model before transfer to the actual teeth, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual measurement and placement during the clinical procedure
2Productivity
If existing indirect bonding apparatuses are used, then bracket placement time is reduced, but the structures are cumbersome and decrease ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The indirect bonding apparatus is segmented into distinct functional components: an alignment body with tooth-specific recesses, multiple support members with bracket receiving structures, and positioning mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently - the alignment body ensures proper positioning, support members hold brackets securely, and positioning mechanisms enable easy adjustment - making the overall system easier to operate while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanisms incorporate movable elements that allow dynamic adjustment of support members between different positions. This dynamic capability enables the operator to easily move brackets into correct positions and secure them firmly, improving both ease of operation and placement precision without requiring complex manual manipulation
3Manufacturing precision
If additive manufacturing is used to produce indirect bonding apparatuses, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functional elements into an integrated indirect bonding apparatus structure that can be manufactured as a single unit or pre-assembled components through additive manufacturing. The alignment body, support members, and positioning mechanisms are combined into a cohesive system where the complex geometry is precisely captured by additive manufacturing processes, achieving high manufacturing precision while the integrated design actually reduces operational complexity compared to separate components
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic device includes an alignment body, a support member, and a positioning mechanism connecting the support member to the alignment body. The support member includes a bracket receiving structure and is actuatable between a bonding position and a non-bonding position. A process of manufacturing an orthodontic device includes constructing an orthodontic device from data including a three-dimensional model obtained from a patient's dentition, an orthodontic prescription, and a structure of an orthodontic bracket including a bonding surface.