Vestibular Orthodontic Appliance with Multi-Groove Bracket Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic appliances face challenges such as high friction, discomfort, and difficulty in inserting orthodontic arches due to sharp edges, leading to inefficient tooth correction and potential damage or pain for patients, especially in severe malpositions.
Innovation Solution
A vestibular orthodontic appliance with supports having two internal round passages with olive sections, allowing easy sliding of round arches, and additional supports with grooves for locking, reducing friction and facilitating arch insertion, while using shape memory material for arcs to apply gentle correction forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single groove bracket is used to receive the arch, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of tooth position control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into multiple functional components: a base body with a first groove for arch reception, a second groove for positioning, and a third groove for additional control. This segmentation allows each groove to perform a specific function, thereby improving tooth position control precision while maintaining relatively simple individual structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point contact system to a multi-point contact system by adding multiple grooves at different spatial locations and orientations. This dimensional expansion provides comprehensive control over tooth movement in three-dimensional space, enhancing manufacturing precision of tooth position control.
2Manufacturing precision
If a rectangular section arch is used at the end of treatment, then the manufacturing precision of tooth position control is improved, but the friction between the arch and bracket groove increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different grooves are designed with different local qualities: the first groove has a rectangular section for precise positioning, while the second and third grooves have rounded sections to reduce friction. This allows the arch to engage in precise positioning where needed while minimizing friction during movement phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between different groove configurations during treatment. Initially, the arch engages with grooves designed for low-friction movement, and as treatment progresses and teeth approach their target positions, the arch engages with grooves designed for precise positioning control.
3Reliability
If ligatures are used to lock the arch in the groove, then the reliability of arch retention is improved, but the friction increases and can disrupt treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the ligature component from the system by designing grooves with built-in retention features such as rounded sections and interference fits. This eliminates the need for separate ligatures while maintaining arch retention reliability, thereby removing the source of excessive friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention function previously performed by separate ligatures is merged into the bracket structure itself through the design of the grooves. The grooves incorporate retention features directly into their geometry, combining the functions of guidance, retention, and friction reduction in a single integrated structure.
4Reliability
If clips are used to lock the arch, then the reliability of arch retention is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in opening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the separate clip mechanism and integrates retention functionality directly into the groove design. The grooves use geometric features such as rounded sections and interference fits to retain the arch, eliminating the need for clips that are difficult to open and adjust.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove design provides self-retention through its geometric configuration, automatically securing the arch in place through interference fits and rounded section engagement without requiring additional locking components. This self-service mechanism maintains reliability while improving ease of operation.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If polycarbonate brackets are used, then the object-generated harmful factors (aesthetics) are improved, but the strength of the bracket deteriorates under arch force
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed as a composite structure combining polycarbonate material for aesthetic appearance with strategically positioned reinforcement elements and optimized groove geometries. The grooves are designed with rounded sections that distribute arch forces more evenly across the bracket structure, preventing localized stress concentrations that would cause deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket exhibits local quality variations with different material properties or structural characteristics in different regions. The groove areas are designed with enhanced local strength through geometric optimization and rounded sections, while maintaining the overall polycarbonate aesthetic appearance in visible areas.
6Object-affected harmful factors
If ceramic brackets are used, then the object-generated harmful factors (aesthetics) are improved, but the strength deteriorates when excessive arch force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The ceramic bracket is designed with local quality variations where the groove sections have optimized geometries with rounded sections that distribute forces more evenly. This local geometric optimization compensates for the inherent brittleness of ceramic material, preventing crack initiation under excessive arch forces while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove design incorporates rounded sections and geometric features that act as stress distributors, cushioning the impact of excessive forces before they can cause ceramic failure. This preemptive design approach protects the brittle ceramic material from sudden force spikes during treatment.
7Ease of operation
If a tubular passage bracket is used, then the ease of operation for insertion is improved, but the adaptability to strong malpositions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into multiple groove configurations (first groove for insertion, second and third grooves for positioning and control) that can accommodate various tooth positions and malpositions. This segmentation provides adaptability to strong malpositions while maintaining ease of insertion through the specifically designed first groove geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-groove bracket design provides universal adaptability to handle various clinical scenarios including strong malpositions, while maintaining ease of operation. Different grooves serve different functions: insertion, positioning, and control, making the bracket versatile for all treatment stages and malposition types.
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
The appliance enables efficient, pain-free tooth correction in three dimensions with reduced friction and ease of arch insertion, even in severe malpositions, minimizing the risk of root damage and improving patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
two round arcs, not bent, preferably with shape memory, intended to pass through the two passages
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Vestibular orthodontic appliance, comprising a plurality of supports (3) intended to be placed on the vestibular surface of the teeth (2), each one comprising two closed internal passages (5) of round cross section, two round archwires (4), not bent, intended to pass through the two passages (5), allowing a sliding movement between the archwire (4) and the passage (5), and in which the two archwires (4) and the supports (3) are intended to cooperate in order to ensure a correction of the teeth (2) in the three spatial dimensions.