Universal Orthodontic Attachment with Multi-Planar Faces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional orthodontic attachments require precise customization and placement, are time-consuming to design, and can cause sub-optimal results due to excess bonding material and misalignment, limiting their ability to apply forces in multiple planes of space effectively.

Innovation Solution

A universal attachment device with a multi-planar design, featuring a base with angled movement faces that can be secured to teeth before determining the specific repositioning needs, allowing forces to be applied in various directions for tooth movement, including extrusion, intrusion, rotation, and root angulation, without the need for precise pre-planning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional orthodontic attachments are precisely customized and placed, then force application accuracy is improved, but treatment time increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment placement precisionVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is designed with multiple planar surfaces that can engage with the aligner in various orientations, allowing a single universal attachment design to replace multiple customized attachments. This multi-functional design enables the same attachment to apply forces in different directions without requiring precise pre-planning or customization for each tooth movement scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device can be secured to the tooth before digital scanning and treatment planning are completed. This preliminary placement allows the attachment to be in position prior to determining the specific repositioning needs, eliminating the time-consuming process of removing and repositioning attachments later during treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional attachments are customized for specific tooth movements, then force application accuracy is improved, but device complexity and design time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce application accuracyVSAvoidattachment design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device incorporates multiple planar surfaces arranged in a configuration that allows engagement from various directions. This universal design enables a single attachment type to perform multiple force application functions, replacing the need for multiple specialized attachment designs for different tooth movements such as extrusion, intrusion, rotation, and root angulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device is divided into multiple planar surfaces or faces that can independently engage with the aligner. Each surface can be activated depending on the desired force direction, allowing the attachment to be segmented in function while maintaining a unified structure. This segmentation enables precise force application without requiring complex overall design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If conventional attachments are placed after digital scanning, then treatment planning accuracy is improved, but treatment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment planning accuracyVSAvoidtreatment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is designed to be secured to the tooth before digital scanning and treatment planning are completed. This preliminary action allows the attachment to be in place prior to determining the specific repositioning needs, eliminating the need to remove and reposition attachments later. The attachment remains in its preliminary position throughout the treatment process, maintaining both accuracy and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If conventional attachments use excess bonding material, then attachment security is improved, but alignment accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment bonding strengthVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device design inherently accounts for the presence of bonding material through its multi-planar geometry. The multiple surfaces provide redundancy such that even if bonding material causes slight variations in placement, the attachment maintains adequate engagement with the aligner on multiple surfaces, self-correcting for placement imprecision without requiring excessive bonding material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11642200B2Universal attachment for an orthodontic aligner

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 ARONSON ROSS

AI summary

A universal attachment device configured to be secured to a tooth for engagement with a removable dental positioning appliance including a base including a lateral surface including a plurality of faces for effecting a plurality of repositioning forces on a tooth, wherein when the device is engaged with the appliance and when the base is secured to the tooth, one of the repositioning forces is effected upon the tooth and at least one of the other repositioning forces are not effected upon the tooth. A method of using the device is also disclosed.