Universal Orthodontic Attachments for Braces and Aligners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthodontic appliances lack a unified solution for seamlessly transitioning between different treatment modalities, such as clear aligners and braces, due to the lack of attachments designed to engage and retain archwires, leading to inefficiencies and increased chair time.

Innovation Solution

The development of orthodontic attachments with prescribed in/out, torque, and angulation designs that can be used as both brackets and clear aligner attachments, allowing for easy bonding and transition between treatment phases, reducing the need for multiple attachment types and simplifying the seating of archwires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional brackets and clear aligner attachments are used separately for different treatment phases, then treatment specificity is maintained, but device complexity and chair time increase due to the need for multiple attachment types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment versatilityVSAvoidnumber of attachment types

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment is designed with a universal structure that enables it to function as both a traditional bracket during braces treatment and as a clear aligner attachment during aligner treatment. The attachment body includes a bonding surface for tooth attachment and an engagement feature that can interface with both archwires and clear aligners, eliminating the need for separate attachment designs for different treatment phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functional requirements of traditional brackets and clear aligner attachments into a single unified attachment design. By combining the bracket's archwire engagement capability with the aligner attachment's aligner engagement capability, the system reduces the number of different attachment types from two to one, thereby reducing device complexity and chair time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If multiple attachment types are used for different treatment phases, then treatment-specific functionality is optimized, but chair time increases due to repeated bonding and removal processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechair time efficiencyVSAvoidchair time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment is pre-designed with built-in features that enable seamless transition between treatment phases. The engagement feature is pre-configured to accommodate both archwires and clear aligners, so when transitioning from braces to aligners, the attachment already has the necessary structural elements in place, eliminating the need for time-consuming rebonding or removal processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment maintains continuous useful action by serving both as a bracket during the braces phase and as an aligner attachment during the aligner phase without requiring removal or replacement. This continuity eliminates the time loss associated with removing old attachments and bonding new ones, thereby improving chair time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If attachments are designed solely for clear aligner engagement, then aligner treatment is simplified, but archwire engagement capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealigner engagementVSAvoidarchwire compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment body is designed with dual functionality: it includes a bonding surface for tooth attachment and an engagement feature that can interface with both archwires and clear aligners. This universal design ensures that the attachment maintains archwire engagement capability while also being suitable for clear aligner treatment, thereby preserving adaptability across different treatment modalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230380939A1Prescription attachments for use in each phase of combination orthodontic treatment

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Attachments of the present disclosure combines the optimal practices of the traditional bracket-wire system and more recent resilient appliance (e.g., CTAs and polymeric bands) systems. The attachments include prescribed in/outs, torques and angulations designed utilizing the straight wire methodology for determining the bonding location on a particular tooth of the dental arch. A marriage of bracket prescription with attachment placement can help the treating professional to better visualize the treatment outcome with the tray or band on the patient.