Removable Orthodontic Caps with Memory Wire for Tooth Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic appliances face issues such as discomfort, hygiene problems, aesthetic concerns, high costs, and inefficiency in achieving significant tooth movement within a short period, particularly for adults requiring more than minor adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A removable tooth position corrective appliance using caps with attached brackets or tubes and a nickel-titanium memory wire that allows patients to easily put it on and take it off, providing constant force for efficient tooth alignment, with the option to use either brackets or tubes for improved comfort and aesthetics by concealing the wire and brackets in the lingual area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional brackets connected by adhesives are used to align teeth with a memory wire, then tooth alignment function is achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates and hygiene problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses caps made of elastic material (flexible shell) that cover the teeth instead of traditional rigid brackets. These caps are anchored to teeth and allow the memory wire to pass through, providing alignment function while improving comfort and hygiene by being smoother and easier to clean.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance is divided into multiple independent caps, each anchored to individual teeth or sets of teeth. This segmentation allows each cap to function independently while collectively achieving the alignment goal, and enables better hygiene maintenance compared to a single large bracket system.
2Ease of manufacture
If invisible aligner trays are used to cover teeth and push them to desired position, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but treatment time increases and cost increases for movements greater than 0.5mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the aesthetic advantage of invisible aligner trays with the efficiency of traditional memory wire systems. The caps serve as both aesthetic covers (like invisible aligners) and as anchors for the memory wire (providing efficient alignment force), combining benefits of both approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite construction with caps made of elastic material combined with metal brackets attached to the caps, and a memory wire running through them. This composite structure provides both the aesthetic appearance of invisible aligners and the mechanical efficiency of traditional orthodontic appliances.
3Reliability
If brackets are glued directly to teeth and joined with memory wire, then tooth alignment is achieved, but the appliance cannot be easily removed and comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The caps made of elastic material allow the appliance to be easily inserted and removed by the patient. The flexibility of the caps enables them to deform during insertion/removal while maintaining their anchoring function, providing both removability and alignment effectiveness.
4Reliability
If traditional orthodontic appliances are used, then tooth alignment function is provided, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible brackets and wires
Solution Approach 1:
The caps made of elastic material can be made transparent or tooth-colored, providing aesthetic appearance similar to invisible aligners while still allowing the memory wire to pass through and function effectively for tooth alignment.
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
This solution enables quick and effective tooth alignment with reduced discomfort and cost, allowing for longer distance tooth movements without the need for frequent orthodontist visits, while maintaining hygiene and aesthetics by using removable caps and hidden wire placement.
Implementation Method 1
A highly resistant memory wire runs through the tubes to align teeth
Implementation Method 2
nickel-titanium memory wire that allows patients to easily put it on and take it off, providing constant force for efficient tooth alignment
Data Source
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AI summary
A removable tooth position corrective appliance comprising a set of independent caps, each having adhesively bonded thereto, in the vestibular or lingual partof, a bracket or a tube through which there passes a high-strength wire such as a nickel-titanium wire or the like