Segmented Dental Splint for Orthodontic Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental splints that simulate orthodontic treatments aesthetically lack the necessary flexibility to facilitate internal orthodontic movements without altering the external structure, limiting their ability to effectively guide teeth to their final positions.
Innovation Solution
A method for creating splints that uses computer-processed impressions to simulate the final orthodontic-esthetic result externally, while internally modifying the splint structure through material removal and replacement to accommodate orthodontic movements, allowing for gradual tooth alignment without altering the external appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the splint is made with a fixed external structure simulating the final result, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the flexibility to accommodate internal orthodontic movements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The splint is divided into multiple individual splints, each corresponding to a specific treatment stage. Each splint maintains a consistent external aesthetic structure while having internally modified material distribution to accommodate specific orthodontic movements for that stage, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed external shape and adaptability for movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The material distribution within each splint is non-uniform, with varying density and composition in different regions. This local variation in material quality allows the splint to provide structural support where needed while maintaining flexibility in other areas to accommodate orthodontic movements, preserving both external shape and internal adaptability.
2Reliability
If material is removed and replaced internally to enable tooth movement, then orthodontic effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal material modifications are pre-calculated and pre-formed during the manufacturing process based on computer-processed impressions and treatment planning. The splints are fabricated with the exact material distribution needed for each treatment stage before delivery to the patient, eliminating the need for complex adjustments during treatment and reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining orthodontic effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the splint externally shows the final result from the beginning, then patient comfort and confidence are improved, but the ability to guide progressive tooth alignment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
While the external parameters (shape, size, appearance) of each splint remain consistent with the final aesthetic result, the internal parameters (material density, composition, distribution) are precisely varied for each splint in the series. This allows the splints to guide progressive tooth alignment through controlled internal changes while maintaining patient comfort and confidence through consistent external appearance.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to the production of a dental correction splint and to the resulting splint, in which a patient record is made by taking an impression of his/her teeth and said impression is processed by processing the image of the impression. The method comprises the production of an orthodontic splint which is based on the processed impression and internal modifications to the splint by removing and/or replacing the material of the splint which is adapted for each orthodontic movement specific to each stage of the correction.