Protective thermoforming palatal cover / Nagham Mohammed Abdullah, Ibrahim Muhamadi and Mohamed Ibrahim Abu Hassan

This innovative designs of thermoforming plastic appliances that is used to cover the palate (roof of the mouth), in cases were orthodontic miniscrews or miniplates are inserted in the patient’s palate to provide anchorage for teeth movement. Why it is produced: The use of miniscrews has expanded the scope of orthodontic treatment and enabled orthodontists to perform tooth movement with greater control. However, miniscrews could become loose and fail due to pressure from the tongue or when the tissues surrounding the miniscrews become inflammed. Also miniscrews can cause trauma and painful ulcers to the tongue and affect the patient’s cooperation negatively. This innovative design was created to minimise failure rate of orthodontic miniscrews by protecting the miniscrew from tongue pressure and protect the patient’s tongue from trauma caused by palatal placed miniscrews, also covering the miniscrews will protect the surrounding soft tissue from inflammation which is considered a cause of failure for miniscrews. How it is produced: This palatal coverage design is produced from a thermoforming plastic sheet (Erkodur), which is biocompatible and widely used material in manufacturing orthodontic retainers. This design is manufactured by a thermoforming machine using a stone model of the patient’s teeth and palate. We are proposing two versions of this protective cover, the first one is attached to the orthodontic appliance by small rare earth Samarium-Cobalt magnets (Sm-Co), and the second version is attached to the teeth by Ball- end clasps. Advantages and features: To protect the miniscrew from tongue pressure, protect the surrounding tissues from inflammation, and protect the tongue from trauma and ulcers caused by the miniscrews. It is a low cost solution and an easily produced design that can increase success rate of miniscrews and orthodontic treatment in general. Socio economic impact: By reducing failure rate of miniscrews we can reduce time and cost of orthodontic treatment and reduce chair time and material use for the orthodontist, also protecting the tongue from trauma can increase patient’s cooperation and reduce analgesic use.