Self-Ligating Bracket With Trapezoidal Gap For Archwire Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-ligating orthodontic brackets with nickel-titanium alloy retaining wings face challenges in achieving a clearance-free fit for orthodontic archwires, leading to reduced precision and effectiveness in tooth movement due to inherent design limitations, such as rectangular or round cross-section gaps that do not align perfectly with the archwire, resulting in friction and slower tooth movement.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates retaining wings with a trapezoidal gap and tongues that allow for a round or trapezoidal archwire to self-align without clearance, utilizing the elastic properties of nickel-titanium alloys to ensure a precise fit by deforming the wings and sliding the archwire into a defined position, with specific geometric conditions ensuring tension and abutment for secure retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gap between retaining wings is made larger to accommodate the archwire, then the archwire can be easily inserted, but clearance increases resulting in reduced precision and slower tooth movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the retaining wings with a convex concavity that matches the convex protrusion of the archwire. This curved geometry allows the archwire to be inserted easily while achieving a clearance-free fit, resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and precision of tooth movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by creating a convex-concave interface where the archwire has a convex protrusion and the retaining wing has a corresponding concavity. This asymmetric pairing ensures precise alignment and clearance-free contact, eliminating the need for larger gaps while maintaining ease of insertion.
2Manufacturing precision
If the gap between retaining wings is made smaller to reduce clearance, then precision of tooth movement improves, but the archwire cannot be easily inserted and friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The convex concavity formed by the retaining wing provides a curved insertion path that guides the archwire into place easily, while the complementary convex protrusion on the archwire ensures a precise, clearance-free fit once inserted, thus maintaining both ease of operation and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex-concave geometry is designed to be self-aligning, where the shapes automatically guide the archwire into the correct position during insertion. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual adjustment or larger clearance, achieving precise fit through the inherent geometry of the components.
3Strength
If the retaining wings are made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the bracket strength increases, but the ability to deform and create a tight fit with the archwire is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the specific regions of the retaining wings that contact the archwire deformable through the convex-concave geometry, while the rest of the bracket structure remains rigid. This localized flexibility allows for a tight fit without compromising the overall structural strength of the bracket.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved convex concavity on the retaining wing provides a controlled deformation zone that allows the wing to flex slightly during archwire insertion and then spring back to create a tight fit. This localized curvature enables the bracket to maintain overall rigidity while having specific adaptable regions for secure archwire retention.
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 configuration enables a clearance-free seating of the archwire, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of tooth movement by minimizing friction and optimizing the alignment, thus improving the overall orthodontic treatment outcome.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the elastic properties of nickel-titanium alloys to ensure a precise fit by deforming the wings and sliding the archwire into a defined position
Implementation Method 2
the wire arch (archwire) is very often fabricated out of a nickel titanium alloy with a super-elastic behavior or memory effect
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a bracket including a base plate on which two retaining wings are formed running parallel to one another and defining an intermediate space in which a wire arch may be held. The intermediate space has a trapezoidal structure such that the wire arch is always pushed upward under the elasticity of the bracket by the inclined retaining wings toward the retaining surfaces, such that the wire arch is held in the intermediate space in an aligned fashion without play. The cross sectional shape of the wire arch is selected such that no surface contact occurs in the intermediate space.