Fluoride-Releasing Shell Aligner Coating for Caries Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shell-shaped dental appliances, such as tooth repositioners and retainers, create an anoxic environment that hinders saliva contact with teeth, leading to bacterial reproduction and issues like dental caries, yellow teeth, and periodontal disease, despite their aesthetic and hygienic benefits.

Innovation Solution

A shell-shaped dental appliance with an anti-caries film on its inner surface that reacts with saliva to release fluoride ions, using a polymer body and a fluorine-containing organic compound to inhibit bacterial activity and promote remineralization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a shell-shaped dental appliance is used to isolate teeth, then aesthetic appearance and hygiene are improved, but bacterial reproduction and dental caries occur due to anoxic environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearance and hygieneVSAvoidbacterial reproduction and dental caries

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful anoxic environment created by the shell appliance into a beneficial condition by applying a fluorine-containing organic compound coating that releases fluoride ions. The coating transforms the previously harmful isolated environment into a protective zone where fluoride ions inhibit bacterial reproduction and promote remineralization, thereby converting the harm of bacterial accumulation into the benefit of enhanced caries prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a composite coating material consisting of fluorine-containing organic compounds (such as fluorosilane) onto the inner surface of the shell appliance. This composite coating combines the protective function of the shell structure with the anti-caries properties of fluoride-releasing materials, creating a multi-functional system that maintains aesthetic appearance while preventing bacterial reproduction and dental caries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If fluoride varnish is applied to prevent caries, then anti-caries effect is improved, but professional application is required and consumers cannot use it themselves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-caries effectVSAvoidprofessional application requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the fluoride-releasing coating directly onto the shell appliance that patients already use for aesthetic and hygiene purposes. This allows patients to self-administer the anti-caries treatment simply by wearing the appliance, eliminating the need for professional application. The coating is designed to release fluoride ions automatically when in contact with oral fluids, enabling continuous self-service caries prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the aesthetic shell appliance function with the therapeutic fluoride delivery function into a single integrated device. By coating the inner surface of the shell appliance with fluorine-containing organic compounds, the invention combines the previously separate functions of aesthetics/hygiene and caries prevention, allowing patients to receive professional-grade fluoride treatment through their regular self-worn appliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If fluoride is released continuously, then anti-caries effect is improved, but fluoride concentration may become excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-caries effectVSAvoidfluoride concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fluorine-containing organic compound coating releases fluoride ions in a controlled, periodic manner through hydrolysis when exposed to oral fluids. This periodic release mechanism maintains effective fluoride concentration for caries prevention while avoiding excessive accumulation, as the release occurs gradually over time rather than all at once, ensuring safe and effective anti-caries action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 appliance effectively prevents dental caries by releasing fluoride ions, maintaining oral hygiene without requiring additional clinical procedures, and ensuring patient comfort and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

the fluorine-containing substance may be a fluorine-containing organic compound that is able to be hydrolyzed to release fluoride ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

promote remineralization of demineralized enamel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRemineralization:

Data Source

PatentUS12472047B2Shell-shaped dental appliance capable of preventing dental caries and method of fabricating the same

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 WUXI EA BIOTECHNOLOGY LTD

AI summary

A shell-shaped dental appliance includes: a body which is an integral shell and forms a cavity for receiving teeth; and an anti-caries film which has a certain thickness, and is formed on at least a partial area of an inner surface of the body, and is able to react with saliva to release fluoride ions.