Variable-Thickness Orthodontic Aligners for Precise Tooth Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic appliances often lack sufficient control over the forces applied to teeth, and the use of power arms can be less than ideal, leading to suboptimal tooth movement.
Innovation Solution
Orthodontic appliances with variable localized properties, such as heterogeneous thickness, stiffness, and material composition, are produced using direct fabrication techniques to provide precise control over force application, and power arms are directly fabricated to enhance tooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If homogeneous and continuous material properties are used in orthodontic appliances, then manufacturing is simpler, but control over forces applied to teeth is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating orthodontic appliances with spatially varying material properties, including heterogeneous thickness and stiffness distributed across different regions of the appliance. This allows different portions of the appliance to exert different forces on different teeth, providing precise control over force application while maintaining a unified appliance structure.
2Force
If power arms are used to apply torque to teeth, then tooth movement can be achieved, but the use and placement of power arms is less than ideal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power arm functionality directly into the orthodontic appliance by fabricating power arms as integral components of the appliance itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate power arm placement procedures, simplifying the treatment process while maintaining the ability to apply precise torque to teeth through the unified appliance structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If variable localized properties are used in appliances, then control over tooth movement is improved, but fabrication becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying material properties (thickness, stiffness, composition) across different regions of the appliance during fabrication. These parameter variations are controlled through advanced manufacturing techniques that can precisely adjust local material characteristics, enabling complex force systems to be generated while maintaining fabrication feasibility through automated processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Dental appliances and associated methods are provided herein. In some embodiments, a dental appliance includes an appliance shell formed from a plurality of 3D printed polymer layers. The appliance shell can include a plurality of tooth receiving cavities arranged to receive a dentition and to exert one or more forces on the dentition, and a plurality of variable thickness regions integrally formed with the appliance shell as a single monolithic component. The plurality of variable thickness regions can include an upper thickened region at a first side of a tooth receiving cavity and a lower thickened region at a second side of the tooth receiving cavity opposite the first side. The upper and lower thickened regions can be configured to control movement of a tooth received within the tooth receiving cavity.