By
Dr. Alaa Abdelsalam Alkasaby
Classification of Orthodontic Appliances
Attached removable Fixed appliances
appliances
Loose removable
appliance
(functional appliance)
Active Passive Mechanical Functional
Adams’ Clasp
It makes use of both the mesial and the distal
undercuts of a single tooth only.
It is called by other names, such as
modified arrowhead clasp, Liverpool
clasp, and Universal clasp.
It is made of 0.7 mm diameter hard
stainless steel wire in permanent
premolars and molar and deciduous
molars and 0.6 mm for canines.
Modifications of Adams’ Clasp
Adams’ clasp with single arrowhead additional arrowhead
J hooks
soldered headgear tube
Helix Distal extension
Components of Removable Orthodontic Appliances
Active component
Retentive
springs
component Baseplate
Clasps Forms the
framework.
screws
Bows
Bows
Active Components Of Removable
Appliance
Springs
Most orthodontic springs are
variants of the simple cantilever.
The parts of a spring are:
1. active arm
2. coil or helix
3. tag.
Springs
Mechanics Examples
Classifications
Force
Deflection
Spring stability
Spring design
Mechanics of springs
FORCE
The force delivered by the appliance is calculated using
the formula…….
Where
L =Wire length
r = Radius (cross section of the wire)
E = Elastic modulus of the material.
For a single-rooted tooth, a spring should
deliver a force in the range of 25-40 g (the
lower forces being indicated for teeth with
short roots, such as lateral incisors).
Deflection
In most situations, a spring (0.5 mm in
diameter) activation of about 3 mm is
satisfactory.
Buccal springs (0.7 mm) are often rather
stiff. Such springs must not be activated by
much more than 1 mm.
The expected rate of tooth movement is between 1 and 2 mm a
month, which means that monthly adjustments are sufficient if an
activation of 3 mm is used.
Spring stability
The ideal spring should be flexible in the direction of its action but
be stiff in other directions, so that it does not readily become
displaced.
Be stable=not slip
Spring design
It is usual to incorporate a coil in order to
increase the effective length of the wire.
Whenever possible the coil should be designed
so that it 'unwinds‘ as the tooth moves, because
the elastic recovery will be better than that of a
spring loaded in the opposite direction.
Classification of Springs
Classification of springs based on their ability to
withstand forces of distortion:
1. Self-supported springs.
Ex. Buccal canine retractor
2. Guided springs:
Ex. Cantilever springs
3. Auxiliary springs:
Ex. Apron springs
Classification of springs based on their point of attachment:
1. Free-ended springs:
Cantilever springs
Canine retractors
2. Springs attached at both ends:
Coffin springs
3. Accessory springs attached to arches:
Apron springs
According to position: (Houston and Isaacson)
Buccal springs
Palatal springs
1. Self-supported Springs
They are springs that can resist the
distortion forces on their own.
Made of 0.7 mm or 0.9 mm hard wire.
Canine retractor, helical loop canine
retractor, U loop canine retractor and
coffin springs come under this category.
Buccal Canine Retractor
Buccal canine retractor is used where a
buccally placed canine has to be moved
both palatally and distally.
Diameter of wire: 0.7 mm.
The coil is placed
as high as possible without interfering with
the soft tissues.
Distal to long axis of canine.
Activation:
The coil should be activated by only 1 mm.
The coil is closed for activation.
Reverse Loop Canine Retractor
This buccal retractor is favored where the sulcus is
shallow, as in the lower arch.
It is also called helical loop canine retractor
and is made from 0.7 mm
It should not be activated more than 1 mm by opening the coil .
Coffin Springs
It is a strong spring made of 1.25 mm heavy
stainless steel wire.
Indicated in expansion of constricted
maxillary arch.
Differential expansion of arch in the
premolar or molar region is possible .
An expansion of 2–3 mm is made
during activation.
2. Guided Springs
They are so-called because they cannot resist distortion on their
own.
made of 0.5 mm wires.
To protect the wires from distortion, two methods are employed:
Placing Guidewires
These curves in the spring design are made in
such a way that they lie above the active arm.
Boxing of springs
The spring lies in the gap between the
baseplate and the mucosa.
Single Cantilever Spring
It is primarily used for correction of rotation of
incisors and labial movement of incisors
Wire used is 0.5 mm
A coil is incorporated into the spring close to its
emergence from the baseplate
The coil should lie on the opposite side of the spring
from the tooth so that it 'unwinds' as the tooth
moves.
Double Cantilever Springs (‘Z’ Spring)
Double cantilever springs are used when
both labial and lateral movements of the
incisors are required.
Wire used is 0.5 mm.
The spring should be perpendicular to the
palatal surface of the tooth; otherwise it will
tend to slide incisaly.
The length of the arm varies depending upon the
number of teeth to be moved labially.
Activation
Spring is activated by opening the coil.
Lateral movement is produced by opening
the right-handed coil.
Forward or labial movement is produced
by opening the left-handed coil.
T Spring
It is a spring used for buccal movement of
canines, premolars and molars.
Wire used is 0.5 mm.
Spring is activated by pulling it away from the
baseplate toward buccal direction. Adjustment
loops are incorporated to allow the spring to be
lengthened.
3. Auxiliary Springs:
Synonym: Apron springs.
Wire used: Stainless steel wire, 0.35–0.40 mm.
Indications: It is used in extreme proclination of
incisors for lingual movement. It can also be
used to correct single tooth proclination.
Spring design :Apron springs are used with high
labial bow.
Labial Bows
Short Labial Bow
It is fabricated from 0.7 mm.
Loop should be 10–12 mm long.
Width of the loop should be 5 mm approximately.
The horizontal portion traverses the incisor
segment in the middle third of the incisor
crowns.
Labial bow exerts high pressure over a
small range.
Long Labial Bow
It is similar to short labial bow.
The difference is the crossover wire, which
passes between the first premolar and the
second premolar.
It is used in cases where there is space distal
to the canine.
Split Labial Bow
Split Labial Bow Used for Retraction
made from 0.7 mm
The flexibility of the labial bow can be
increased by dividing the labial bow so
that there are two buccal arms.
Effective for retraction of incisors
Used during expansion of the arch.
Split Labial Bow for Median Diastema Closure
In this type, the free ends of the labial
bow crossover each other. The arms
should be parallel to each other.
It is useful only for closure of median diastema and not
effective in overjet correction.
Activation is by closure of the loop by 1 mm.
Fitted Labial Bow
The bow is adapted to the contours of the
labial surface of individual teeth
The labial bow is placed in the middle
third and the appliance should be passive.
It is used as retention appliance.
Roberts’ Retractor
It was designed by GH Roberts.
It is a flexible bow made of 0.5 mm
diameter.
It is used for retraction of four incisors and
when the overjet is greater than 4 mm.
consists of two sleeved canine retractors
joined together.
Mills Retractor
It is also termed extended labial bow,
made of 0.7 mm.
It is an alternative to Roberts’ retractor
used for reduction of large overjet and also
for alignment of irregular incisors.
It is flexible as the labial bow incorporates
extensive loops.
It is activated by compressing the loops and bending the bow
palatally without inflicting trauma to the mucosa.
SCREWS
The screw normally transmits its force by means
of the acrylic, which comes in contact with the
teeth.
The patient usually activates a screw once or
twice a week.
Indicated for example where the teeth to be
moved are required for retention of the
appliance.
Screws apply intermittent large forces , which
decrease as tooth movement occurs.
Baseplate
It is a retentive component of removable orthodontic appliance, and
supporting the other components of the appliance.
Thickness of the baseplate should be the thickness of a modeling
wax.
Anchorage :
It should fit closely around the necks of teeth that are not being
moved.
It should be trimmed well clear of the teeth to be moved.
