Segmented Orthodontic Appliances for Sagittal Force Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current silicone appliances for treating malocclusion deformities lack precise customization, leading to excessive orthodontic force, undesirable tipping of teeth, and rotational displacement of the jaw, resulting in treatment failure and inadequate remodeling of condylar tissues.

Innovation Solution

An orthodontic treatment system comprising a series of appliances with adjustable sagittal distances and torque ridges, designed to progressively adjust the sagittal relationship between upper and lower jaws, incorporating occlusal pads for precise occlusal adjustment and neuromuscular balance, manufactured using digital geometry and 3D printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If predefined fixed dimensions are used for silicone appliances, then manufacturing complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision and adaptability deteriorate because the appliances cannot be precisely customized according to patient's oral conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic customization system where appliance dimensions are not fixed but can be adjusted based on patient-specific measurements. The system allows physicians to select from multiple predefined dimensions or customize dimensions by combining segments, transforming the static appliance design into a dynamic adaptation process that achieves both manufacturing efficiency and precision customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The appliance dimensions are segmented into multiple predefined options that can be individually selected or combined. This segmentation allows the system to maintain standardized manufacturing components while enabling precise customization by selecting appropriate segments, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If fixed dimension appliances are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates because the appliances cannot accommodate individualized treatment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms fixed-dimension appliances into a dynamic selection process where the appropriate dimensions are chosen based on patient-specific needs. This dynamic approach maintains simple individual appliance designs while achieving high system-level adaptability through the customization process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal appliance platform with multiple predefined dimensions that can serve various patient types. The system achieves multi-functionality by allowing the same appliance design to be adapted to different patients through dimension selection and combination, thereby maintaining device simplicity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If excessive orthodontic force is applied to correct malocclusion, then treatment speed is improved, but harmful factors increase due to undesirable tipping of teeth and rotational displacement of the jaw

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment speedVSAvoidharmful factors

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality control by distributing orthodontic force through specifically designed contact surfaces and geometric features. The appliance geometry is optimized to apply force locally at appropriate points on the teeth, preventing unwanted tipping and rotation while maintaining effective treatment speed. Different regions of the appliance have different geometric properties to control force distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls orthodontic force parameters by adjusting appliance dimensions, contact surface areas, and geometric features. By changing these parameters based on patient-specific requirements, the system optimizes the balance between treatment speed and force magnitude, avoiding excessive force that would cause harmful effects while maintaining efficient treatment progression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250325350A1Orthodontic system for treating oral cavity and generation method therefor, electronic device, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 SHANGHAI SMARTEE DENTI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An orthodontic treatment system includes a first appliance and a second appliance and is configured to progressively treat a set of teeth and gums. A lingual side edge of a first support portion of the first appliance extends toward the gums to form a first inner wall, and a buccal side edge of the first support portion extends toward the gums to form a first outer wall. The first outer wall, the first support portion, and the first inner wall together define a first upper groove and a first lower groove. In a sagittal direction, an anterior region of the first upper groove spaces apart from an anterior region of the first lower groove by a first distance, an anterior region of a second upper groove of the second appliance spaces apart from an anterior region of a second lower groove of the second appliance by a second distance different from the first distance.