Orthodontic Retainer Delivery Member with Pusher Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic retainer systems face challenges in achieving uniform and strong adhesive bonds between retainer modules and teeth, often due to limited control over the pressure applied during bonding, which can lead to reduced retention effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The orthodontic retainer system employs a delivery member with pusher elements that engage the retainer modules, allowing for controlled and sufficient pressure to be applied against the teeth during adhesive curing, enhancing the bond quality between the modules and the teeth. Additionally, the system includes a cap of adhesive covering the magnet's bonding surface and a cover member with a recess for the adhesive, ensuring proper bonding and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a delivery member with a strip of material is used to insert retainer modules between teeth, then the retainer modules can be positioned and bonded to teeth, but the pressure control during bonding is limited due to frictional forces between the magnets and the strip
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery member is segmented into two functional parts: a strip for insertion and positioning, and pusher elements for pressure application. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without the limitations of a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher elements act as intermediary components between the delivery member and the retainer modules. They transmit and control the bonding pressure independently from the strip, overcoming the frictional limitations and enabling precise pressure control during the bonding process.
2Reliability
If magnets are used as retaining devices to prevent teeth from moving apart, then tooth retention is achieved, but the control over adhesive bond quality during application is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static friction-based pressure limitation to a dynamic pressure control mechanism. The pusher elements enable active pressure application and control during bonding, allowing the system to overcome the passive frictional constraints and achieve both reliable retention and high bond quality.
3Force
If frictional forces between magnets and delivery member strip are relied upon for retention during insertion, then the retainer modules can be held in place, but the maximum achievable pressure against teeth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery member combines the insertion function (strip) with the pressure application function (pusher elements) into a single integrated device. This merging allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving superior pressure control and force application capabilities.
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 approach results in improved adhesive bond quality and retention, allowing the retainer modules to securely hold teeth in position without the need for more cumbersome orthodontic appliances, ensuring effective tooth retention and stability.
Implementation Method 1
magnets provided with mutually attracted magnets
Implementation Method 2
adhesive material to each other and to respective surfaces of the teeth
Data Source
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AI summary
An orthodontic retainer system including retainer modules that are applied to adjacent teeth in a patient's mouth, and a method and apparatus for delivering the system. The retainer modules (114) may be provided in the form of mutually attracted members, such as magnets, that are temporary coupled on opposites sides of a delivery member (112) for positioning and bonding to an adjacent pair of teeth. In one exemplary embodiment, the retainer modules have rounded and/or chamfered edges and sloped and curved lingual surfaces, and may include a magnet that is received and sealed within an enclosure or cover that has the same shape or profile as the magnet and is made of a wear-resistant biocompatible material. In one exemplary embodiment, the delivery member (112) is substantially L-shaped, which advantageously allows an orthodontist to enter only a small portion of the patient's oral cavity to position the retainer modules on a patient's teeth, and eases the orthodontist's delivery of the retainer modules by substantially eliminating the need for the orthodontist to manipulate or otherwise move the patient's lips, tongue, and/or cheeks. The delivery member may also include pusher elements that contact the retainer modules for exerting a force against the modules to press same firmly against the teeth in order to enhance bonding between the modules and the teeth.