Rotatable Orthodontic Bracket for Third-Order Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic brackets lack efficient control over third-order tooth movements, leading to prolonged treatment times, discomfort, and potential long-term health issues due to inadequate control over axial inclination and force application.
Innovation Solution
An orthodontic bracket with a transversely disposed arch wire slot that is adjustable in cross-sectional dimension, allowing for variable torque expressions and enabling first, second, and third-order movements without pre-manipulation of the arch wire, using a bracket body insert to adjust the slot's dimension and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a .019 inch x .025 inch stainless steel rectangular arch wire is placed in a .022 inch arch wire slot, then the arch wire can be easily inserted, but there is approximately 22 to 24 degrees of play or freedom of movement which prevents adequate third order torque control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the bracket body can be rotated relative to the bracket base to change the orientation of the arch wire slot. This allows the slot to be positioned at different angles (e.g., 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°) to precisely control the third order torque applied to the tooth, eliminating the play between the arch wire and slot while maintaining ease of operation through a simple rotational adjustment rather than requiring multiple bracket types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation parameter of the arch wire slot by rotating the bracket body around the tooth axis. This parameter change allows the same physical bracket components to provide different torque expressions, enabling precise third order control without changing the arch wire dimensions or requiring clinicians to calculate and bend complex wire configurations.
2Manufacturing precision
If larger cross-sectional rectangular arch wires are used to achieve third order control, then torque control is improved, but binding and friction in the arch wire-bracket interface make final tooth positioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a static, fixed-orientation slot, the patent creates a dynamic system where the arch wire slot orientation can be adjusted during treatment. This allows the clinician to optimize the fit between the arch wire and bracket by rotating the slot to the appropriate angle, achieving precise third order control with standard arch wire dimensions while avoiding excessive binding and friction that would occur with larger wires.
3Manufacturing precision
If clinicians bend rectangular arch wires to individualize finishing torque on individual teeth, then adequate third order control is achieved, but treatment times are extended and excessive discomfort may result from miscalculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the bracket itself to provide the torque control function that previously required complex manual wire bending by the clinician. By rotating the bracket body to different orientations, the arch wire slot automatically positions itself to deliver the desired third order torque, eliminating the need for time-consuming calculations and wire manipulations while reducing the risk of miscalculation and patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the complex process of calculating and bending arch wires into a simple parameter adjustment - rotating the bracket body to predetermined angles. This parameter change approach allows clinicians to quickly achieve individualized torque control for each tooth without extensive training or time investment, significantly reducing treatment time while maintaining precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the bracket body is made rotatable to provide multiple torque expressions, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bracket into two distinct segments: a stationary bracket base that is bonded to the tooth, and a rotatable bracket body that contains the arch wire slot. This segmentation allows the bracket body to be independently rotated to different orientations while the base remains fixed, providing multiple torque expressions without requiring complex mechanisms. The simple rotational joint between the two segments minimizes added complexity while maximizing versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
An orthodontic bracket is described, which comprises: a bracket base which is releasably securable to an anterior facing surface of a patient's tooth; a bracket body which moveably cooperates with the bracket base, and wherein the bracket body has an anterior facing surface which defines, at least in part, a transversely disposed arch wire slot which communicates with the anterior facing surface of the bracket body and is configured to receive an archwire; a bracket body insert which is releasably received within the transversely disposed arch wire slot, and which further forms, at least in part, a portion of the transversely disposed arch wire slot, and further selectively fixes the orientation of the moveable bracket body relative to the bracket base, wherein the moveable bracket body, acting in combination with the bracket body insert, each are configured to respectively engage the arch wire to provide a multiplicity of torque expressions when the orthodontic bracket is secured to the patient's tooth.