Tooth-Repositioning Appliances With Impact-Absorbing Covering Guards
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for orthodontic patients, especially those engaged in contact sports, to be protected against impact-induced injuries during orthodontic treatment, which conventional appliances do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The development of protective dental appliances, including tooth repositioning appliances, accommodating mouth guards, and covering guards, designed to resiliently reposition teeth and provide impact protection, utilizing polymeric materials with impact-absorbing compliance and snap-fit coupling features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional orthodontic appliances (braces, aligners) are used to reposition teeth, then tooth repositioning function is achieved, but protection against impact-induced injuries is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tooth repositioning function with impact protection by integrating a mouth guard into the orthodontic appliance system. The mouth guard is coupled to the orthodontic appliance to provide both functions simultaneously - teeth repositioning through the appliance and impact protection through the mouth guard, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving tooth repositioning and providing impact protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthodontic appliance system is designed to perform multiple functions: it repositions teeth while simultaneously protecting against impact-induced injuries through the integrated mouth guard. This multi-functionality allows a single appliance system to address both tooth movement and injury prevention, eliminating the need for separate protective devices.
2Reliability
If a mouth guard is added to provide impact protection, then protection against impact-induced injuries is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mouth guard is integrated with the orthodontic appliance through coupling mechanisms, merging two separate functions into a single unified device. This integration reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure compared to having the mouth guard as a separate accessory that must be coordinated with the appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouth guard is designed to fit over or around the orthodontic appliance, creating a nested configuration where the smaller mouth guard component is positioned within or around the larger appliance structure. This nesting approach allows the mouth guard to be incorporated without significantly increasing external dimensions or overall complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mouth guard is designed to accommodate tooth movement during orthodontic treatment, then adaptability to tooth positions is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mouth guard is designed with dynamic adaptability to accommodate tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. Rather than being designed for a single fixed tooth position, the mouth guard incorporates flexible elements and adjustable features that allow it to adapt to changing tooth positions, thereby achieving versatility without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision for every possible position.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouth guard design incorporates parameters that can change during treatment, such as adjustable fit features or flexible materials that can accommodate varying tooth positions. By designing the mouth guard with adjustable or flexible parameters rather than fixed precise dimensions, the system achieves adaptability to tooth movement while maintaining reasonable manufacturing precision standards.
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
These appliances effectively protect against impact-induced injuries while facilitating tooth repositioning, accommodating a range of tooth positions, and ensuring secure coupling during orthodontic treatment.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing polymeric materials with impact-absorbing compliance
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for protecting and repositioning teeth are provided. In some embodiments, a system includes a tooth repositioning appliance and a covering guard. The tooth repositioning appliance can have a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities shaped to reposition teeth of a patient. The covering guard, when worn by the patient and coupled with the tooth repositioning appliance, can provide protection against impact-induced injuries. The covering guard can have a guard segment that covers at least a portion of the tooth repositioning appliance. A combination of the covering guard and the tooth repositioning appliance can include an occlusal portion disposed between a plurality of upper and lower teeth when worn by the patient. The occlusal portion can have a compliance selected to provide impact absorption during an impact forcing the lower teeth into the upper teeth.