Shape Memory Adhesive Retainer for Gap-Free Tooth Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adhesive retainers using triplex wires are prone to deformation, fail to make perfect contact with tooth surfaces, and can cause discomfort and tooth decay due to gaps, while shape memory alloy retainers face manufacturing difficulties and imperfect contact.
Innovation Solution
An adhesive retainer formed as one integrated component using a shape memory alloy material, with a curved protrusion part for interdental spaces and support parts for tooth surfaces, manufactured through laser cutting based on three-dimensional scanning data to ensure tight contact and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If triplex wire is used to manufacture adhesive retainer, then the manufacturing process is easy and the retainer has elasticity, but the retainer cannot make perfect contact with tooth surface and deforms easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retainer body and protrusion parts into a single integrated component made from one piece of shape memory alloy wire, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps. This integration ensures perfect contact with tooth surfaces while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through automated wire forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional triplex wire to shape memory alloy wire, which possesses both high elasticity and memory functionality. This parameter change enables the retainer to maintain its intended shape precisely while adapting to tooth movements, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and contact precision.
2Strength
If triplex wire is used to manufacture adhesive retainer, then the retainer has elasticity for physiological movements, but the retainer deforms when broken or bent portions are unfolded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional triplex wire to shape memory alloy wire, which possesses both high elasticity and memory functionality. This parameter change enables the retainer to maintain its intended shape precisely while adapting to tooth movements, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing feasibility and contact precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If shape memory alloy is used to manufacture adhesive retainer, then the retainer prevents deformation and improves correction effect, but the manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retainer body and protrusion parts into a single integrated component made from one piece of shape memory alloy wire. This integration simplifies manufacturing by eliminating assembly steps and ensures consistent shape memory properties throughout the entire retainer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional triplex wire to shape memory alloy wire, which possesses both high elasticity and memory functionality. This parameter change enables the retainer to maintain its intended shape precisely while adapting to tooth movements, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing feasibility and contact precision.
4Productivity
If conventional manufacturing method is used, then the retainer can be manufactured easily, but gaps are formed in interdental spaces causing discomfort and tooth decay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retainer body and protrusion parts into a single integrated component made from one piece of shape memory alloy wire. This integration simplifies manufacturing by eliminating assembly steps and ensures consistent shape memory properties throughout the entire retainer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the retainer into functional zones (body part and curved protrusion parts) with different structural characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The body part provides general retention while the curved protrusion parts specifically address interdental spaces, eliminating gaps without requiring separate components.
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
The retainer provides stable, gap-free attachment, preventing foreign matter ingress, maintaining tooth arrangement, and reducing manufacturing time and costs while enhancing durability and resilience.
Implementation Method 1
a body part which is formed as one integrated component by using a shape memory alloy material
Implementation Method 2
a laser cutting step of laser cutting a flat plate-shaped base material formed of a shape memory alloy material based on processing line data
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is an adhesive retainer including a body part which is formed of a shape memory alloy material and has a front surface in close contact with and attached to each tooth, wherein the body part includes a curved protrusion part which is formed to protrude toward an interdental space so as to be inserted into the interdental space, and multiple support parts having front surfaces which are in close contact with tooth surfaces of teeth outside the interdental space. A manufacturing method of the adhesive retainer includes a step of acquiring three-dimensional scanning data about a tooth arrangement, a data processing step of generating a first processing line and a second processing line, a laser cutting step of laser cutting a flat plate-shaped base material based on processing line data to form a body-part forming part, and a shape processing step of cutting the body-part forming part.