12.
Biomechanics in Orthodontics
"There is only one disease in orthodontics-malocclusion.
Themedicine is force, and there are number of ways to
apply that force."
1. the force which when applied to the tooth surface will lead
to root movement is
a) Gentle action b) Moment
c) Extraoral force d) Positive intermittent force
Ans b (Ref: Seminar in orthodontics-2001; 7:(1):3-4)
When a force is applied on a tooth which is not pass
ing through the center of resistance, then it will: Fig 12.1 Cantilever spring
• Move the center of resistance in the direction of
force, and Here,
• A moment is created, which will tend to rotate the D= deflection of the cantilever spring from its original
object. position
L=length of the beam, F= force, E=Young'~ modulus of
A moment is defined as a tendency to rotate and the material from which spring is made
may refer to rotation, tipping or torque in orthodon I=moment of inertia of the spring/beam.
tics. Cantilever spring is commonly used in orthodontics
The moment which is generated by application of for various purposes, like "to bring the buccally placed
the orthodontic force will cause root movement of the to the ideal position in the arch, leveling of the arch
tooth. by intrusion or extrusion, correction of axial inclina
Controlled root position during movement requires: tion of the mesially tipped 2nd molar in the cases of
• A force to move the tooth in a desired direction early loss of permanent 1st molar. The main advan
• A couple to produce the necessary counterbalanc tage of this system is that. it forms a one-couple sys
ing moment for control of root position. tem and is statistically determinate type. Here, the
force applied by the cantilever spring can be mea
2. The connection between the length, thickness and sured easily and the moment developed can be pre
amount of deflection of a cantilever spring of a round dicted.
section is expressed by the formula A cantilever beam which is supported on only one
a) D= FL3/3EI b) D= 3EI/FL3 end is very commonly used in orthodontics as a re
c) D=FEI/3L d) D=L3/EI movable appliance. In these the wire comes out from
the plastic/acrylic body of the removable appliance
(D is deflection of the cantilever spring, F is the force as finger/Z spring (other examples are T spring, Flap
applied, E is the young's modulus of the material which per spring).
is used for making cantilever spring, I is the moment Changing the diameter of a beam can affect the
of inertia, L is the length of the beam) properties of the system no matter where the beam
is supported. Doubling the diameter of a cantilever
Ans a (Ref: Contemporary orthodontics. Proffit. 4th edi/p spring will:
369) • Increase the strength by 8 times
• Reduce the springiness by 16 times
A cantilever is a beam supported on only one end. • Reduce the range by 2 times
The beam carries the load to the support where it is
resisted by moment and stress. Cantilever construc In general, when beams of any type made from two
tion allows for overhanging structures without exter sizes of wire are compared, strength changes as a
nal bracing. Cantilevers can also be constructed with cubic function of ratio of the two cross sections, springi
trusses 0 r slabs. ness changes as the fourth power of the ratios, range
The spring formula for end load cantilever beam changes as a direct proportion.
with single fixed support is:
D= FL3/3EI 3. The appropriate force level for tipping a single ro
tated anterior tooth lies between
a) 10-12 grams b) 20-25 grams c)
50-70 grams d) 70-100 grams
Ans b (Ref: Contemporary orttiodontics-Prottit.a'" edi/
p 340)
