Propylene Elastomer Orthodontic Retainer for In-Mouth Custom Fitting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic retainers require laboratory fabrication, are expensive, prone to relapse due to patient negligence, and have issues with aesthetics, oral hygiene, and durability, necessitating a self-customizable solution.
Innovation Solution
A self-customizable orthodontic retainer formed of a semi-crystalline propylene ethylene copolymer that can be molded by the user to fit the mouth, offering strong tensile strength, flexibility, and durability, with optional flavors or colors, and can be reheated for reforming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional removable retainers are vacuum-formed using polypropylene or copolyester material, then the retainer provides superior aesthetics and comfort, but the manufacturing cost increases and requires costly equipment and laboratory fabrication
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed to be self-customized by the patient through simple heating and molding in the mouth, eliminating the need for laboratory fabrication and costly vacuum forming equipment. The material is formulated to automatically conform to the patient's dentition when heated and placed in the mouth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a specific propylene-based elastomer composition with controlled crystallinity (2-65%) and melt flow rate (2-50 g/10 min) that changes its physical state from solid to flexible upon heating to 60-100°C, allowing it to be molded in the mouth and then crystallizes to provide a permanent custom fit.
2Reliability
If fixed/bonded retainers are used to maintain teeth in position, then retention is provided without patient reliance, but the retainers accumulate plaque and calculus leading to compromised oral hygiene and possible periodontal disease
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is formed as a thin, flexible shell that can be removed and cleaned easily. The flexible propylene-based elastomer material allows the retainer to be bent and shaped for thorough cleaning, unlike rigid fixed retainers that are difficult to clean and promote plaque accumulation.
3Strength
If conventional removable retainers are made with metal wire labial bows, then structural support is provided, but the aesthetics are inferior to transparent retainers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite propylene-based elastomer material that combines the strength and flexibility needed for structural support with the transparency and aesthetics of clear materials. The material's controlled crystallinity and composition allow it to provide retainer strength while maintaining a clear, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
4Manufacturing precision
If vacuum-formed retainers are fabricated in the laboratory, then precise custom fit is achieved, but the process requires costly equipment, impressions, and stone models
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer material is designed to self-customize by automatically conforming to the patient's unique dentition when heated and placed in the mouth. This eliminates the need for laboratory equipment, impressions, and stone models while achieving a precise custom fit through the material's inherent ability to adapt to the patient's anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The propylene-based elastomer undergoes a phase transition from solid to flexible upon heating to 60-100°C, allowing it to be molded to the patient's teeth. After molding, the material crystallizes upon cooling to provide a permanent, precise custom fit without requiring laboratory fabrication processes.
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
Provides a comfortable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing retainer that securely fits the teeth and gums, preventing relapse without the need for dental lab formation, with easy customization and reusability.
Implementation Method 1
After heating the retainer to a temperature in the range of about 60° C. to about 100° C., the body is a moldable material which crystalizes in the mouth at a temperature below 60° C. to conform the retainer to a contour of the mouth, gums, teeth and spaces between the teeth.
Implementation Method 2
After heating the retainer to a temperature in the range of about 60° C. to about 100° C., the body is a moldable material
Data Source
AI summary
A self-customizable orthodontic retainer comprising a body formed of a semi-crystalline propylene ethylene copolymer. The semi-crystalline propylene ethylene copolymer is a metallocene catalyzed copolymer having a crystallinity from about 2% to about 65% and a melt flow rate (MFR) of from about 2 g/10 min to about 50 g/10 min. The flow rate of the material allows the material to flow around the teeth and gums and into spaces between the teeth. After heating the retainer to a temperature in the range of about 60° C. to about 100° C., the body is a moldable material which crystalizes in the mouth at a temperature below 60° C. to conform the retainer to a contour of the mouth, gums, teeth and spaces between the teeth.