Removable Dental Arch Expander with Periodic Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic appliances for expanding dental arches are often cumbersome, painful, and require professional assistance, with high forces causing discomfort and limited patient autonomy, especially during the expansion and retention phases of treatment.
Innovation Solution
Development of removable dental appliances with structural reinforcement features, using polyurethane materials of varying hardness to apply gradual forces over several months, allowing patients to incrementally expand their arches without professional intervention, and maintaining the expansion while bone fills in the suture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If high forces are applied to expand the dental arch using traditional appliances, then the arch expansion is achieved, but patient discomfort and pain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance uses periodic activation where the patient or parent turns the key intermittently (e.g., twice daily) rather than applying continuous high force. This periodic activation allows bone and tissue to adapt between activations, reducing pain while achieving cumulative expansion效果
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance transitions from a static high-force mechanism to a dynamic system where the force application is controlled and adjustable over time. The key-turning mechanism allows progressive activation, and the appliance can be adjusted as treatment progresses, adapting to the patient's comfort and biological response
2Force
If traditional fixed expansion appliances are used, then arch expansion is achieved, but patient autonomy is reduced and professional intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance is designed for self-service operation where the patient (with parental assistance for key management) can activate the expansion mechanism themselves by turning the key. This eliminates the need for frequent professional visits for activation and gives patients control over their treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The key mechanism serves as an intermediary that translates simple rotational motion into complex expansion forces. This allows patients to easily operate the appliance without requiring professional skill, while still achieving controlled dental expansion
3Productivity
If rapid arch expansion is performed, then treatment time is reduced, but discomfort and pain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment protocol uses periodic activations (e.g., twice daily) over several months to achieve gradual expansion. This paced approach maintains treatment productivity by consistent progress while allowing biological tissues to adapt, reducing pain compared to rapid single-phase expansion
4Ease of operation
If removable appliances with structural reinforcement are used, then patient comfort and autonomy improve, but the complexity of the appliance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance uses composite construction combining a rigid shell (for structural integrity and retention) with a rigid arch component (for force application). This composite structure achieves the necessary mechanical performance while keeping the overall design relatively simple and patient-friendly
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
The solution provides a more comfortable, patient-friendly method for arch expansion with reduced pain and increased autonomy, allowing for concurrent tooth repositioning and arch widening, potentially shortening treatment time and improving aesthetic and functional outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
using polyurethane materials of varying hardness to apply gradual forces over several months
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides method, systems, and devices for adjusting an arch of teeth. An appliance includes a removable shell formed of a first material having a number of cavities formed therein, wherein the number of cavities are shaped to receive teeth of a patient, and an arch element extending from the removable shell in a lingual direction and across at least a portion of the arch width of the removable shell, wherein the arch element is designed to expand an arch of the teeth of the patient, wherein the arch element has a width specific to a stage of a treatment plan.