Segmented Orthodontic Aligner for Isolated Tooth-Movement Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plastic aligners fail to effectively isolate forces between different sets of teeth, such as anterior and posterior teeth, leading to interference and counterforces during orthodontic treatment.
Innovation Solution
Orthodontic aligners with segments joined by connectors that minimize or eliminate force transmission between segments, allowing separate and distinct forces to be applied to different groups of teeth without interference, using elastic, rigid, or semi-rigid connectors to form a single appliance shell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a single continuous plastic aligner is used to cover all teeth, then the aligner provides comprehensive coverage and support, but forces applied to one region interfere with and counterforce forces applied to other regions
Solution Approach 1:
The aligner is divided into multiple discrete shell segments (first shell segment, second shell segment, etc.) that can be independently fabricated and assembled. Each segment can apply forces to specific tooth groups without transmitting counterforces to other regions, thereby achieving force isolation while maintaining comprehensive coverage through the assembly of multiple segments.
Solution Approach 2:
A connector element is introduced as an intermediary component to join the discrete shell segments together. This connector isolates force transmission between segments, allowing each segment to apply forces to its designated teeth without interfering with other segments. The connector acts as a mediator that maintains structural integrity while preventing harmful force interference.
2Force
If multiple separate aligners are used to apply forces to different tooth groups, then force interference is eliminated, but the treatment requires more aligners and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete shell segments that would traditionally require separate aligners are merged into a single integrated appliance through the connector element. This combining approach allows forces to be applied to different tooth groups simultaneously in one aligner, eliminating the need for multiple separate aligners while maintaining force isolation through the connector's design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connectors are used to join aligner segments, then structural stability is improved, but force transmission between segments increases causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The connector element's mechanical properties are specifically designed to change or modulate force transmission characteristics. The connector provides sufficient rigidity to maintain structural stability and hold segments in proper alignment, while simultaneously incorporating compliance or flexibility to isolate and prevent harmful force transmission between segments, achieving both stability and force isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic aligner includes a posterior segment configured to apply first forces to move a set of posterior teeth of a dental arch of a patient. The orthodontic aligner further includes an anterior segment configured to apply second forces to move a set of anterior teeth of the dental arch. The orthodontic aligner further includes a connector that joins the posterior segment and the anterior segment. The connector is configured to isolate the first forces from the second forces. Isolation of first forces from the second forces enables: a) the first forces to be applied to the set of posterior teeth without substantial interference from the second forces applied to the set of anterior teeth; and b) the second forces to be applied to the set of anterior teeth without substantial interference from the first forces applied to the set of posterior teeth.