Segmented Orthodontic Appliances with Elastic Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic appliances often fail to generate sufficient forces for effective tooth repositioning and lack control over force application, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in orthodontic treatments.
Innovation Solution
The design of orthodontic appliances featuring discrete shell segments joined by elastic material, allowing for varied force application and improved control over tooth movement, with segmented structures that can accommodate larger tooth movements and reduce patient discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rigid orthodontic appliances are used to provide sufficient force for tooth repositioning, then force generation capability is improved, but patient discomfort increases and the appliance cannot accommodate larger tooth movements
Solution Approach 1:
The orthodontic appliance is divided into multiple discrete shell segments that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the appliance to provide sufficient force through the elastic material between segments while reducing overall rigidity, thereby decreasing patient discomfort and accommodating larger tooth movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance uses elastic material with specific elasticity parameters to connect the shell segments. By carefully selecting the elasticity, thickness, and material properties, the appliance can generate adequate force for tooth movement while maintaining flexibility to reduce discomfort and accommodate varying degrees of tooth displacement.
2Strength
If a single continuous shell appliance is used to provide rigid support, then structural strength is improved, but control over force application to specific teeth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous shell is segmented into multiple discrete sections, each capable of independent movement. This allows differential force application to different teeth while maintaining overall structural integrity through the elastic material connections, thereby improving control over force application without sacrificing structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the appliance can have different elastic material properties, segment configurations, or shell thicknesses tailored to the specific orthodontic needs of different tooth regions. This localized customization enables precise control over force application to specific teeth while maintaining adequate structural strength overall.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate appliances are used to achieve precise tooth repositioning, then force control is improved, but treatment time increases and patient compliance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate appliances with different force applications are merged into a single segmented appliance that can provide differential force control through its elastic material connections. This unified appliance achieves the precision of multiple separate appliances while reducing treatment time and improving patient compliance by requiring only one appliance to be worn at a time.
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 approach enables more precise and effective tooth repositioning with fewer appliances, reducing discomfort and enhancing the efficiency of orthodontic treatments by varying force application and accommodating larger tooth movements.
Implementation Method 1
The discrete shell segments are joined by an elastic material to form a single appliance shell
Data Source
AI summary
Improved orthodontic appliances, along with related systems and methods, are provided. In one aspect, an orthodontic appliance is provided. The appliance includes a plurality of discrete shell segments, each including one or more cavities shaped to receive at least portions of teeth. The discrete shell segments are joined by an elastic material to form a single appliance shell.