Rotatable Orthodontic Bracket Minimizing Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic bracket appliances for edgewise or straight-wire techniques face increased frictional resistance during retraction mechanics, prolonging treatment time and potentially causing root resorption due to the need for heavier forces, which also compromises patient comfort.
Innovation Solution
The orthodontic bracket features a base with protrusions on its bars and a rotatable archwire receiving member that minimizes friction through engagement with a locking pin, allowing for lighter forces and efficient tooth movement by reducing friction between the archwire and the bracket components, enabling quicker retraction and uprighting of teeth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional brackets with rotatable archwire engaging members are used, then teeth can be moved during retraction mechanics, but frictional resistance increases extending treatment time and requiring heavier forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved engagement surfaces between the archwire and the bracket's engaging members, replacing flat or angular contact surfaces. This curvature distributes contact forces more evenly, reduces stress concentration, and minimizes frictional resistance during tooth movement, thereby enabling faster tooth movement with lighter forces
2Loss of time
If conventional brackets are used, then retraction mechanics can be applied, but treatment time is extended due to frictional resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the archwire engaging members, including the angle, curvature radius, and contact surface area, to optimize the interaction between the archwire and bracket. These parameter changes reduce frictional resistance and improve the efficiency of retraction mechanics, thereby shortening treatment duration
3Productivity
If heavier forces are applied to overcome friction, then tooth movement can be achieved, but root resorption risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high-friction interface into a beneficial low-friction system through optimized engaging member geometry. By reducing frictional resistance, the system eliminates the need for excessive forces that would otherwise be required to move teeth, thereby preventing root resorption while maintaining treatment efficiency
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 design significantly shortens the time required for tooth retraction, minimizes root resorption, and enhances patient comfort by allowing for lighter forces and efficient alignment of teeth, maintaining the integrity of the root and surrounding bone.
Implementation Method 1
The bars with protrusions between the sliding surfaces of the bars and/or any retention part of a stud or shaft secured to the base on which the archwire receiving member rotates
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic bracket mountable on a tooth for use in retraction mechanics to facilitate movement of teeth along an arch, which includes an archwire receiving member rotatably mounted on a base and structured to freely rotate when tipping a tooth during sliding of the bracket along an archwire thereby minimizing friction between the archwire and bracket to significantly decrease the required retraction force, and treatment time, thereby minimizing the possibility of root resorption and maintaining the integrity of the root and surrounding bone. A locking pin for locking the member against rotation is employed when uprighting the tooth from a tipped position.