FRICTIONLESS

MECHANICS
1
CONTENTS
•Introduction
•Classification of Retraction Mechanics
•Biomechanics of looped archwire retraction
1. Design of loop
2. Biomechanical considerations
3. Clinical considerations
•Advantages & disadvantages of loop mechanics
•Various types of loop designs
•Conclusion
•reference
2
 Introduction
 Orthodontic tooth movement results from application of forces
to the teeth.
 Closure of extraction spaces is an important step in orthodontic
treatment plan.
 Space closure can be done either by en-mass retraction of
anteriors or by individual canine retraction followed by
retraction of incisors.
 Individual canine retraction is indicated in cases with anterior
crowding and severe protrusion.
  3
 The principles for retraction currently used in edge-wise
mechanics can be described as.
1. Frictional system in which the teeth, through application of
force, slide distally along a continuous arch wire.
2. non-frictional” system with forces and couples built into
the loops of an arch section.

4
Frictionless mechanics

 In frictionless mechanics, teeth are moved without the

brackets sliding along the arch wire.

 Retraction is accomplished with loops or springs, which

offer more controlled tooth movement than sliding

mechanics. The force of a retraction spring is applied by
pulling the distal end through the molar tube and cinching it
back.
5
 TYPES OF TOOTH MOVEMENT:
 
Basic tooth movements are categories into,
1.   Tipping
2.   Translation
3.   Root movement
4.   Rotation

Each movement is the result of variation of the applied moment and

force (either by magnitude or point of application).
 
Tipping: Is greater movement of the crown of the tooth than that of
the root. Crot is apical to the Cres.
Tipping can be further classified on the basis of the location of the
center of rotation as Uncontrolled tipping and controlled tipping.

6
Uncontrolled tipping
•A horizontal force at the level of
bracket will cause movements of the
root apex and crown in opposite
directions.

•This is simplest type of tooth

movement. It requires single force and
no applied moment.

Crot lies just below the Cres.

7
Controlled tipping
•It is achieved by an application of force to
move the crown, as done in uncontrolled
tipping and application of a moment to
control or maintain the position of the root
apex. Crot lies at the root apex

M/F ratio = 7:1

8
Point of force application – Cres
Center of Rotation – Infinity.
M/F = 10:1

Translation:
•This type of tooth movement is also known as ‘bodily movement’.
Translation of a tooth takes place when the root apex and crown move the
same distance and in the same direction.
•A horizontal force applied at the Cres of a tooth will result in this type of
tooth movement.
•However, the bracket where the force application takes place is at a
distance from the Cres. This force alone applied at the bracket will not
result in translation. To achieve translation at the level of the bracket, a
couple of forces are required that are equivalent to the force system
through the Cres of tooth. 9
Root movement (TORQUE):
•Root movement is achieved by keeping the
crown of a tooth stationary and applying a
moment and force to move only the root.
•Root movement is termed as ‘torque’.
•Point of force application – a point apical to the
Cres
•Center of Rotation – at the incisal edge or
bracket.

10
 Pure rotation:
This type of tooth movement occurs when tooth
rotates about its center of resistance.
A couple is required to produce pure rotation.

The simplest way to determine how a tooth will

move is to consider the ratio between moments
created when a force is applied to the crown of a
tooth (moment of force MF) and the counter
balancing moment generated by a couple within
the bracket (moment of couple Mc).

11
 FORCE SYSTEMS:
In order to achieve the described tooth movements, the proper force system
is a critical requirement. The following factors related to the force system
are potentially under the control of the clinician.
1.   Moment-to-force ratio
2.   Constancy of forces and moments.
3.   Magnitude of forces and moments
 
 Moment-to-force ratio:
The proportion of rotational tendency (moment) to the force applied at
the bracket will determine the type of tooth movement. This is
represented by M/F at the bracket.  
Moment-to-force ratio plays an important role in anchorage control. By
varying the moment-to-force ratio applied to the anterior and posterior
segments during space closure after bicuspid extractions, the amount of
forward displacement of the posterior segments can be controlled.

12
 TYPE OF TOOTH MOVEMENT M/F Ratio

Translation 10/1

Controlled tipping 7/1

Uncontrolled tipping 0/1

Root movement 12/1

Force constancy:
Relatively constant force within an optimal range produces the
most desirable type of tooth movement. We will have to design the
active components of an appliance such that they have desirable
spring properties as follows.
A)Low Load deflection rate of the spring appliances,
B) Frictionless force application system. 13
Load deflection rate:
-Refers to the amount of force produced for every unit of activation
of an orthodontic wire or spring. The lower this rate, the more
constant is the force as the tooth moves and the appliance is
deactivated.
Four major design parameters available to the clinician to vary the
load deflection rate are:
1. Wire cross-section.
2. Wire length.
3. Wire material.
4. Wire configuration.
14
1. Wire cross-section.
• Load deflection rate varies directly as the fourth power of the diameter of
a round wire and as the third power of the depth of a rectangular wire.  

L.D.R.  wire cross section

• Therefore, reducing the cross section of the wire can significantly reduce
the load deflection characteristics of an orthodontic appliance.
• On the other hand those parts of the appliance that are concerned with
preservation of anchorage require a relatively rigid wire with a large
cross-section for more advantageous stress distribution in the periodontal
structure and to prevent the movement of the anchorage unit.
15
 2. Wire Length:
The wire length changes the load deflection rate inversely as the third
power.

1
L.D.R. 
Wire length

•In continuous arch multibanded appliance, the inter-bracket distance between

adjacent teeth dictates the wire length to a great extent.
•Long wire with a longer inter- bracket distance delivers a more constant force
magnitude as well as a more constant force direction as the teeth move to the
new desired positions. 16
3. Wire material:
For designing appliances, stainless steel alloys are in
common use today.
In order to improve the characteristics of the stainless steel
wire, multi-stranded wires with greater flexibility (reduced
load-deflection rate) have been introduced.
Alloys such as NiTi and Beta titanium with low modulus of
elasticity and high spring back have radically changed
appliance design.
  
17
4. Wire configuration:
By placing more wire at the regions where bending
deflections are the greatest and at the regions where the
bending moment is large, the load deflection rate can be
optimally reduced

18
Force and moment magnitude:
A small error in activation of spring with a high load
deflection rate will result in a larger error in the
activation force. In addition to the consideration of tissue
damage, force and moment magnitude are important in
anchorage control.
Distributing the force over more teeth can reduce the
stress levels on the anchor units

19
Biomechanical considerations serve not only to explain the
effect of an orthodontic appliance but also to detect side
effects of therapy and to assist in planning strategies for the
avoidance or therapeutic exploitation of these side effects.

Efficient orthodontic treatment requires that sound

treatment plans be carried with sound mechanical plans.

20
 CLASSIFICATION OF RETRACTION
MECHANICS
 
A] Based on wire configuration
 Continuous arch mechanics
 Segmented arch mechanics

B] Based on friction
• Friction mechanics {Sliding Mechanics}
e.g Canine retraction with coil springs
Continuous anterior retraction i.e. as in MBT
Retraction with J- Hook headgear
• Frictionless mechanics
Use of loops or specialized springs
T-loop, Omega loop ,PG retraction spring etc
21
C] Based on mode of retraction
 Cuspid retraction
En masse retraction

D] Based on Anchorage
•Type A – Maximum Anchorage
•Type B – Moderate Anchorage
Type C – Minimum Anchorage

22
 Once a decision to extract the teeth has been made, the
orthodontist has to plan how to close the space not devoted to
relief of crowding.
 There are two schools of thought of Retraction Mechanics
1.Seperate canine and incisor retraction
2.En masse retraction

23
1.Canines and incisors retracted separately to conserve anchorage
when using sliding mechanics
-The principle is that by retracting fewer teeth at a time, less strain
is placed on the posterior anchorage
-However it is time consuming and moreover the anchorage is taxed
twice. 24
2. The second concept is En masse Retraction
•Where the canines and incisors are retracted together
•Here the anchorage is based on type of tooth movement of anterior and
posterior segment i.e. translation or root torquing in the posterior teeth Vs.
controlled tipping in the anterior segment.
25
WHAT IS FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS?????
•In frictionless mechanics, teeth are moved without the
brackets sliding over the archwire.
•Retraction is accomplished with the help of loops or springs.
Loops

•Frictionless space closure involves bending loops of

various configurations-
-Sectionally (To deliver the desired force to an
individual tooth 26
OR -In a continuous archwire (To deliver the desired force levels to several
teeth)
•When activated, the loop distorts from the original configuration the tooth
moves and the loop gradually returns to its original preactivated position –
delivering energy stored at the time of activation.

•Theoretically, with closing loops for space closure, more accurately defined
force systems can be applied to groups of teeth.
•Precise anchorage control, anteroposterior and vertical control can be
obtained. 27
 ANCHORAGE CLASSIFICATION

•Group A Anchorage: - 75% or more of extraction space is

required for anterior retraction 28
• Group B Anchorage: -relatively symmetric space closure

29
Group C Anchorage: - “Noncritical anchorage”- 75% or more
extraction space is closed by mesial movement of molars.
30
SPACE CLOSURE WITH
FRICTIONLESS
MECHANICS
•According to Charles Burstone,
the moment to force ratio needed
for translation is 10:1

31
32
 A regular 10mm high vertical loop offers a moment to force
ratio of only 3:1 when it is activated by 1mm
 In order to get the moment to force ratio of 10:1, the activation
of the spring should be reduced to as low as 0.2mm
 But then the force levels will not be sufficient to bring about
retraction
 In order to increase the moment to force ratio the height of the
vertical loops can be increased. But only a limited space is
available in the vestibule

33
 The loop design can be varied, e.g. a T-loop has a higher

moment to force ratio than a regular vertical loop.

 However the most effective way to increase the moment to

force ratio is by placing pre-activation or Gable bends.

34
Asymmetric angulation of the pre-activation
bends (gable bends):

 Other approach -differential alpha/beta moments

 Moment differential does not remain constant with spring

activation, i.e., the moment differential is dependent on both

spring activation and the differences in the pre-activation
angulations.

35
•Closing loop archwires (Attraction springs) has three important
characteristics
1. The α moment {anterior}
2. The β moment {posterior}
3. The horizontal force generated

•When a retraction spring is used two moments are produced

α moment, produced by placing bend on mesial leg of
retraction loop and
β moment produced by placing bend on distal leg of
retraction loop.
36
 If the two moments are unequal, vertical forces are
produced
 If beta moment is greater, anchorage is enhanced by mesial
root movement, and there is a net intrusive force on
anteriors.
 If the two moments are equal no vertical forces are
generated
 If alpha moment is greater, anchorage for anterior teeth is
increased and there is a net extrusive force on the anterior
teeth.
37
BIOMECHANICAL CONSIDERATIONS
 By altering the bends the moment to force ratio is
altered for the desired tooth movements in anterior and
posterior segments, i.e. controlled tipping and
translation in the anterior segment & translation and
root movement in the posterior segment.
 

38
DESIGN OF THE LOOP

•It usually has three parts

1. Arm
2. Base
3. Helix

39
GROUP ‘B’ ANCHORAGE
En masse anterior retraction-posterior protraction

When space is to be closed symmetrically a centered .

017/.025 TMA T-loop is used. 40
GROUP ‘A’ ANCHORAGE
En masse anterior retraction
•To accomplish anterior retraction while preserving anchorage, the anterior
segment undergoes controlled tipping while the posterior anchorage unit
undergoes translation or root movement.
•A composite retraction spring is used.

It consists of an .018” round TMA T- loop

welded to a .017”/.025” TMA base arch.

41
GROUP ‘C’ ANCHORAGE
En masse posterior protraction
•Use of asymmetric .017”/.025” TMA T-
loop spring with α moment more than β
moment.

42
ADVANTAGES OF FRICTIONLESS SYSTEM
1. Effectively increases moment-to-force ratios by means of
loops. This allows for torque control of anterior teeth during
space closure.
2. Lengthens the distance between points of force application,
thereby reducing the wire's load/deflection rate and
increasing its working range.
3. Offers more predictable mechanics in which amounts of
force and moment are measurable.
4. Selective mechanics such as incisor intrusion and molar
uprighting are easier to perform. 43
DISADVANTAGES OF FRICTIONLESS SPACE CLOSURE
1. A good understanding of mechanics is required when using
retraction loops, because minor errors in mechanics can result
in major errors in tooth movement.
2. More wire bending time and chair side time is required than
sliding mechanics.
3. Retraction loops may be uncomfortable for the patients, that
they lie in the vestibule.
4. Like sliding mechanics, the frictionless space closure might
produce an undesirable mesial out moment when retracting a
single tooth.
44
VARIOUS LOOP DESIGNS THAT HAVE BEEN TRIED FOR
FRICTIONLESS SPACE CLOSURE

 Ray D. Robinson (1915) was the first to document the use of

loops in orthodontics
 Dr. Harry Bull advocated a squashed vertical loop with an .
0125”/.025”edgewise wire opened the distance of a ‘thin dime’.
 

45
 Since that time various loop designs have been advocated –

1. Rickett’s canine retractor

2. PG (Paul Gjessing) retraction spring
3. Delta loop
4. Closed vertical loop
5. Bull loop (by Salzmann)
6. Open vertical loop
7. The R (Rectangular) loop
8. Vertical loop with helix
9. Omega loop
10. T-Loop
11. Opus loop

46
METHODS OF FRICTIONLESS RETRACTION OTHER
THAN CONTINUOUS LOOP MECHANICS
1.Separate canine retraction with frictionless mechanics.
2.Rapid canine retraction using distraction of periodontal ligament
3.Drum spring retractor for canine retraction
4.Separate canine retraction with cuspid to cuspid bypass.
5.Retraction with utility arches
6.The three piece intrusion and retraction arch.

47
ADVANTAGES OF A LOOP:
1.The inconsistency of the force system developed by a SWA
can be avoided by using loops.
2.The addition of wire length into the appliance while
maintaining the wire size reduces the load-deflection rate.
3.Greater constancy of force.
4.Since the distribution of the wire with respect to the bracket
determines the moment-to-force ratio, and tooth movement is
produced by the deactivation of the loop itself, friction is not an
issue.
48
5. It is possible to design a loop in such ways that forces and
moments are dissociated to generate many combinations of
moment and force.
6. The desired combination of moments and forces can be
reached by choosing different points of force application,
controlling the horizontal dimension of the loop or by
angulating the horizontal arm of the loop.

A B C

49

A B C
7. Combining wires of different dimension can produce
composite loops. For correcting major rotations or tipping, the
combination loops are advantageous as their working range is
large.

50
RICKETT’S CANINE RETRACTOR(1974)
•This is a combination of a double closed helix and an Extended crossed
T made with blue Elgiloy wire.
•It delivered 30-50gms per mm of activation.
Activated by pulling 3-4mm.
1.38mm activation per month.

51
Rickett’s Maxillary Cuspid Retraction Spring
• The maxillary cuspid retraction spring is a double vertical helical
extended crossed T closing loop spring which contains 70 mm of
the wire made of 0.016’’ × 0.022’’ SS wire.
• It produces only 50 gm per mm of activation, because of the
additional wire used in its design and all loops are being
contracted during its activation.
• 3–4 mm of activation is sufficient for upper cuspid retraction .

52
Rickett’s Mandibular Cuspid Retraction

 The large extended maxillary retractor loop would however be

difficult to use in the lower arch due to the fact that it would
extend into the chewing area.

 The mandibular cuspid retractor is a compound spring, a double

vertical helical closing loop. It contains 60 mm of 16 × 16 blue

elgiloy and produces approximately 75 gm of force/mm of
activation.

 A range of variation exists due to loop size and character of wire.

Therefore, 2–3 mm of activation is required to produce the

desired force
53
 Advantages of Rickett’s Retractor

1. Rapid space closure

2. Only a few weeks of wearing

 Disadvantages of Rickett’s Retractor

1. Bulky and irritating to soft tissues

2. Difficult to use in the lower arch because it extends into
chewing area

54
PG { PAULGJESSING } RETRACTION SPRING

Paul Gjessing (Denmark) introduced this spring in 1985.

1. The canine retraction spring was constructed in 0.016”/0.022” SS wire
2. The principle element is a double ovoid loop
3. The spring consists of a double ovoid helix of 10 mm height
gingivally and with a smaller occlusally placed helix of 2 mm
diameter.
4. It was introduced to reduce the load deflection rate of the spring.
5. This is usually for the controlled retraction of either canines. It is
done by pulling distal to the molar tube until the two sections of the
double helix are separated by 1mm.
55
•This produces an optimum force of 140gm to 160gms for 1mm of
activation.
•Advantages
1.Reduced load deflection rate
2.Reduced vertical height

56
 35º
Anti rotation bend

5.5 mm

Apical loop

30º
15º
Beta bend
Anti tip bend
12º

2 mm

Occlusal loop
57
BEFORE RETRACTION

AFTER RETRACTION

58
DELTA LOOP
•The design similar to that of opening loop
•William R. Proffit (1993)
•0.016”/0.022” SS wire used in .018” slot and 0.018”/0.025” SS wire in .
022” slot

59
VERTICAL LOOP
Dr.Robert.W.Strang(1933) 0.016” stainless steel wire
To generate space during leveling alignment.

CLOSED VERTICAL LOOP

Only being difference is horizontal overlapping
To close space during leveling alignment.

60
Vertical loop with HELIX
The advantage of Helix in a vertical loop is that it increases the working
range

Closed Helix Open Helix

61
Open Vertical Loop

 Morris Stoner & Bruce

 Opens the spaces
 Activated by closing the legs

62
OMEGA LOOP
•Morris Stoner in 1975
•Material : 0.016 inch s.s
•It distributes the stresses more evenly through the curvatures
instead of concentrating on the apex.

63
Bull Loop

Dr. Harry bull (1951)

 Loops legs tightly abut each other

 .0215x .025stainless steel

 the Bull loop is approximately 7 mm in height in maxilla and 5mm in

mandible.

64
Double keyhole loop
 This was introduced by John Parker. The double keyhole loop is

0.019” x 0.025” dimension, built out of round edge rectangular wire.

 The anterior teeth are generally retracted en masse as a group of six.

 Activation- cinching wire distal to last molar tube, activated every 3-

4 weeks

65
 Tear Drop Loop
R.G. ALEXANDER in 1983

 Similar to the omega loop

 height of approximately 5 mm
 The loops are placed distal to the maxillary lateral incisor
bracket.

 Wire size and material

 0.018× 0.025 SS for maxillary arch .

 0.016× 0.022 SS for mandibular arch .

66
THE OPUS LOOP/STANDARD OPUS
•In 1997 Dr. Raymond E. Siatkoski.
•This specialized spring can deliver sufficiently high “inherent M/F ratio”
within the range of 8-9 to produce en masse translation without giving the
pre-activation bends.

Continuous arch wire closing loop design, optimization and verification Part I and II. Am J Orthod 67
Dentofacial Orthop 1997;112;393-402
•Groups of teeth can be moved more accurately to achieve
predetermined anteroposterior treatment goals for esthetics and
stability
•The distinct advantage of Opus loop is that it is free of residual
moments and produces the periods of “true rest” when deactivated.

68
69
THE RECTANGULAR LOOP
CHARACTERISTICS:
1.Can be used for first, second and third order corrections
2.Since the loop is inserted in at least two brackets, it
represents a statically indeterminate force system.
3.The clinician can determine the moment-to-force ratio
delivered to the active unit.

70
4. All combination of moments and forces can be
produced. The direction of moment generated at the
loop depends on the point of force application in
relation to the horizontal dimension of the box.
5. The point at which the moment changes sense is called
‘point of dissociation’. At this point, no relationship
exists between moment and force. The localization of
this point depends on the length as well as the
dimension of the wire.

71
Fabrication of R loop for the 2nd premolar correction:
Step 1: Measure the distance between mesial of molar tube and the
distal of 2nd premolar bracket (D)
Step 2: The ‘R’ loop is fabricated using the formula A = B = C each
being equal to half of D.
Note: Distance D for any tooth is measured from the distal of the
bracket (of the tooth to be corrected) to the mesial of the bracket (of
the tooth distal to it).
A
B C

A=B=C

72
NITI CANINE RETRACTION
SPRING
 JCO/2002/Yasoo Watanabe

 Wire used is 016 X .022 TITANAL Spring

 Anti-tip and anti-rotation bends incorporated in closing loop.

73
 No preliminary leveling stage

 Retract the canines and level the posterior teeth.

 No reactivation of the closing loop.

74
 ‘T’ LOOP (Burstone in1976)
1.Made of 0.017”x 0.025” TMA wire
2.generates relatively high horizontal forces of
approximately 350 gm.
3.No side determination be made, however,
the alpha leg (anterior leg) of the T loop is longer
10
than beta leg (posterior leg) by 1mm to mm
2 mm
4 mm 5 mm

compensate for the difference of height between BETA ALPHA

(POSTERIOR) SEGMENT (ANTERIOR) SEGMENT

the bracket of the canine and the auxillary tube of

 
the molar.
4.The central position of the loop can be
calculated by the formula
D=L-A 75
 D= distance from either the molar auxillary tube or
the canine to the center of the loop
L= distance from the molar auxillary tube to the
canine vertical tube (or center of the bracket)
A= activation of the spring

76
PREACTIVATION CHECK LIST:
1.   Check the neutral position of the loop (0 mm).
2.   Determine the amount of activation.
3.   From the center of the T, mark distance D on both arms of the
spring. Place a vertical bend gingivally 5mm anterior to the
mark on the anterior leg.
4.   Check for comfort and passivity and necessary adjustments
are made to achieve the same.
5. Placement of Alpha and Beta preactivation bends:
Preactivation bends are placed at six points in the spring each of
30˚, 77
 The present trend is that off-centered positioning with a

symmetric shape is used to achieve a moment differential and

not spring shape. (Burstone 1992)

 Wire selection for loop:

18- slot: 16 x 22 SS or 17 x 25 TMA

22- slot: 18 x 25 SS or 19 x 25 TMA

78
 6-7mm
M/F Ratio 8:1
Controlled Tipping

4mm
M/F Ratio 10:1
Bodily movement

2mm
M/F Ratio 12:1
Root Uprighting

• Spring should not be activated too frequently.

• Activated every 4-6 weeks

80
 Composite retraction spring:

 This was designed by Burstone consisted of 0.018” TMA loop

welded to 0.017×0.025 TMA. This spring can be used for “en

masse” retraction of canine.

81
 Titanium T loop retraction spring

 For maximum retraction of anterior segment a 45° bend is

placed in the posterior or beta position. (Marcoette 2001)

Continuous arch T-loop (Nanda 1997):

 Alpha and Beta moments are placed anterior and posterior to

the T-loop vertical legs.

 Recommended beta activation for anchorage is 40°, 30°, 20°

respectively.

82
 S Luthra and Ashima Valiathan JIOS 1998

 T-looped springs made of 0.018×0.025” spring hard rectangular wire,

were used to upright the molars.

83
The Asymmetric T Loop
 James J. Hilgers (1992)

 Material: 0.016 x 0.022" TMA (for .018" brackets) or .0l9 x 025"

TMA (for .022" brackets)

 5mm vertical step, 2mm anterior loop, and 5mm posterior loop.

 Arch wire should have - exaggerated reverse curve of Spee &

strong distal molar rotation.

 This loop allows simultaneous bite opening and space closure.
 The anterior portion is smaller and engages the lateral incisor
bracket.
85
Pre activation of Asymmetric "T" loop:

A. Short mesial
loop compressed

B. Long distal loop

opened.

C. Loop after pre

activation.

86
• Broussard system uses a combination closing and bite
opening loop with step between anterior and posterior
segments.
• Here, simultaneous torque, intrusion and retraction
movements are achieved.
•  

87
 Hilgers modification with reduced loop size for

patient comfort and crossed "T" for greater

mechanical efficiency.

88
Modified ‘T’ loop arch wire

 Modified ‘T’ loop archwire was devised by Tayer BH in 1981.

 In some cases, there is a need for additional maxillary intrusion

(bite opening), space closure and torque toward the end of active
treatment. The modified T-loop archwire achieves all these
corrections.

89
 K SIR
 Simultaneous intrusion and retraction of the anterior teeth –Varun

kalra

 The main indication for the K-SIR archwire is for the retraction

of anterior teeth in a first-premolar extraction patient who has a

deep overbite and excessive overjet, and who requires both
intrusion of the anterior teeth and maximum molar anchorage.

Kalra V. Simultaneous intrusion and retraction of anterior teeth. J Clin Orthod 1998;32;535-
90
540.
 Material : 0.019x0.025 TMA wire with closed 7x2mm U loops at

the extraction sites

 It is activated about 3 mm so that the mesial and distal legs of the

loops are barely apart. The second premolars are bypassed to

increase the inter-bracket distance.

91
92
 90° bends placed in archwire at level of U-loops.

 A 60ᵒ v-bend –placed about 2mm distal to U-loop. increases

clockwise moment on the molar-augments anchorage

 To prevent the buccal segments –rolling mesiolingually –20ᵒ anti

rotation bend just distal to each u loop

93
Trial activation
 Trial activation-releases the stresses and decreases the
severity of the v-bend
 After trial activation neutral position is determined with the
legs extended horizontally

94
 In the neutral position – U loops are 3.5mm wide

 Archwire activated by 3mm so that mesial and distal legs

are barely apart

 Loop activated-the tipping moments produced by the

retraction loop > moments produced by the v bend.

 This will initially cause controlled tipping

95
 As the loops deactivate-force levels M/F

 The arch-not reactivated shortly-only every 6-8 weeks

 Exerts about 125gms of intrusive force-ant segment and a

similar amount of extrusive force distributed to the two

buccal segments

96
 The main indication of the K-sir-retraction of the anteriors

in a first premolar extraction case who has a deep bite and

excessive overjet and who requires both intrusion of
anteriors and max molar anchorage

97
Advantages of the k-sir arch

1. Simplicity of design

2. Easy to fabricate.

3. Comfortable-less likely to cause tissue impingement

4. Molar anchorage is excellent

98
RETRACTION WITH UTILITY ARCHES

 In 1950s Robert Rickett’s developed the lower step down arch,

also popularly known as Rickett’s Utility arch, to hold the

buccal segment upright during retraction and also for lower
incisor intrusion with light continuous forces.

99
 It is known as 2/4 appliance because it engages only molars

and incisors

 It has multiple uses in various stages of orthodontic

treatment.

100
 Types of utility arches

1. Passive utility arch

2. Intrusion utility arch

3. Protrusion utility arch

4. Retrusion utility arch

The retrusion utility arch is used in either the mixed or

permanent dentition to achieve retraction and intrusion of
incisors by incorporating loops in the archwire.

101
 CONCLUSION
 Extraction therapy is followed by the closure of spaces. Though some
amount of space is spent to alleviate the crowding, the remaining space
opens a new window in orthodontics.
 Controlled retraction, usually in extraction cases, requires the creation
of a bio mechanical system to deliver a pre determined force and a
relatively constant moment /force ratio in order to avoid side effects.
 Although bracket design and proprietary treatment protocols are broadly
used in clinical circumstances, achieving predictable and stable
orthodontic results requires more than simply selecting a particular
bracket system

103
 The fundamental basis of orthodontic treatment remains the
application of mechanical forces to produce desirable tooth
movement.
 Today’s orthodontist needs the knowledge of both friction and
frictionless mechanics
 No single technique suits every situation. There are specific
indications for both.

104
 References
 Burstone. C.J. ‘ Mechanics of segmented arch technique’.

 Graber and Vanersdall. ‘Current principles and techniques’.

 Dr. Nanda R. Biomechanics in clinical orthodontics. W.B.Saunders

company, 1997

 Marcotte M.R. Biomechanics in orthodontics , B.C.Decker Inc1990

Philadelphia , Pennsylvania.
 Proffit W.R. ‘Contemporary Orthodontics’.
 Burstone C.J. ‘Rationale of the segmented arch’. Am.J.Orthod 48:805-

822,1962
105
 Smith R.J.,Burstone C.J.‘Mechanics of tooth movement’. Am.J.Orthod

85:294-307,1984

 Amit Choudhary, S. M. Bapat, Sameer Gupta.Space Closure Using

Frictionless Mechanics. Asian Journal of Dental Research

 Kuhlberg AJ, Burstone CJ. T-loop position and anchorage control. Am J

Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1997;112:12-8.

 Gjessing P. Biomechanical design and clinical evaluation of a new

canine retraction spring. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop 1985;87:353-

62.

 Gjessing P. A Universal retraction spring. J Clin Orthod 1994;15:21-41.

106
 Siatkowski R.E. Continuos archwire closing loop design,

optimization and verification Part II. Am J Orthod Dentofacial

Orthop 1997;112:484-95.

107