Orthodontic Power Arms With Counter-Force Connectors for Tooth Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior orthodontic methods lack precise control over force application to teeth, often using homogeneous materials and requiring supplementary devices, which can lead to inefficient tooth movement.
Innovation Solution
The development of orthodontic appliances with variable localized properties, such as heterogeneous thickness, stiffness, and material composition, produced through direct fabrication techniques, allowing for precise control over force application and integration of features like power arms and counter-force connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If homogeneous materials and continuous material properties are used in orthodontic appliances, then manufacturing is simpler, but control over force application to teeth is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating orthodontic appliances with spatially varying material properties, including heterogeneous thickness and stiffness distributed across different regions of the appliance. This allows different portions of the appliance to exert different forces on different teeth, achieving precise control over force application while maintaining a single integrated structure that can be manufactured using direct fabrication techniques.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior orthodontic methods use supplementary devices fabricated separately, then appliance functionality can be enhanced, but treatment complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple previously separate orthodontic components into a single integrated appliance structure. Power arms, counter-force connectors, and main appliance body are combined into one unitary component fabricated through direct fabrication. This integration maintains the functional versatility of multiple components while eliminating the complexity of separate fabrication, assembly, and adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated appliance design provides multi-functionality by incorporating various orthodontic features (power arms for torque application, counter-force connectors for force balance, and appliance body for tooth positioning) within a single structure. This universal design allows one appliance to perform multiple orthodontic functions that previously required separate devices.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional fabrication methods are used, then manufacturing process is simpler, but complex geometries and heterogeneous properties are difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the direct fabrication process to achieve heterogeneous material properties and complex geometries. By varying fabrication parameters such as layer thickness, material composition, and curing conditions during the additive manufacturing process, the appliance can incorporate spatially varying thickness and stiffness properties while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and design flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of fabricating orthodontic appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes determining an appliance geometry for an orthodontic appliance. The appliance geometry can include a plurality of power arms including a first power arm having a first connection point for connecting to a shell, and a second power arm having a second connection point for connecting to the shell or a tooth. The appliance geometry can also include an elongate connecting structure coupled to the first and second power arms, and an elongate counter-force connector coupled to the first power arm and extending toward the second power arm. The elongate connecting structure and the elongate counter-force connector can be coupled to the first power arm at respective locations separate from the first connection point. The elongate connecting structure can be coupled to the second power arm at a location separate from the second connection point.