00 clinical section
LONG SPAN ADAM’S CLASP WITH
INTERPROXIMAL ARROW HEAD:
DAVID’S MODIFICATION
ABSTRACT
This article highlights a new modifica-
tion of the Adam’s clasp that may be
used in cases where two or more adja-
cent teeth need to be clasped, due to
the requirement of additional anchor-
age. The clasp incorporates an arrow
head constructed at the middle of the
bridge of the clasp for engaging the
interproximal embrasure between the
teeth. Other modifications of this clasp
have also been described.
INTRODUCTION
A Clasp may be defined as a compo-
nent of any removable orthodontic
appliance that helps in the retention
and stabilization of the appliance by
contacting the surface of the tooth,
surrounding the tooth or by engaging
the interproximal embrasures between
teeth.
The Adam’s clasp, also known as the
Universal clasp, Modified arrowhead
clasp or Liverpool clasp, was devised
by C P Adam in 1948. It provides
retention by engaging the bucco-proxi-
mal undercuts1. It is the most popular
and commonly used clasp in remov-
able appliances, because of the ease in
its fabrication and its ability to adapt
to any tooth in the arch.
When two or more adjacent teeth
need to be clasped (additional anchor-
age requirement), a long span Adam’s
clasp is often preferred, sometimes
incorporating a pin head extension sol-
dered to the bridge of the clasp, that
engages the interproximal embrasure.
However, in situations when one of the
premolars or molars is partially erupt-
ed, it may be difficult to engage the pin
head extension connected to the
Adam’s clasp2.
This article highlights the usage of a
modified Adam’s clasp with an arrow
head for usage when two or more
adjacent teeth need to be clasped,
even if one of the teeth is partially
erupted.
COMPONENTS
The components include the bridge,
arrow head, crossover arm, retentive
arm and retentive tag.
DENTAL TECHNOLOGY, JULY-SEPTEMBER 2019
DAVID ATHISAYAM
ARMAMENTARIUM
The armamentarium consists of stain-
less steel wire (0.7 mm), Adam’s plier,
Young’s Universal plier, wire cutting
plier and marking pencil. Steps in the
construction of the clasp (to fit the first
and second molars)
Step 1: A 10 inch long 0.7mm stain-
less steel wire is obtained.
Step 2: An arrowhead is made that
fits in the interproximal embrasure
(Figure 1).
Step 3: The bridge of the clasp is con- FIG 1: Arrow head fabrication
structed such that its length equals two
thirds of the combined mesio-distal
width of both teeth. In the finished
clasp, the bridge is located at middle
thirds of both teeth, 2mm away and
parallel from the buccal tooth surfaces.
Step 4: Arrowheads are made (at the
mesial and distal ends of the clasp)
using Adam’s Plier,similar to those on
the conventional Adam’s clasp, to
engage the mesial (of first molar) and
distal (of second molar) undercuts at
an angle of 45° to the bridge (Figure
2).
FIG 2: Mesial and distal arrow head fabrication
Step 5: The partially formed clasp is
then positioned on the tooth and the
retentive arms are made, similar to
those on the conventional Adam’s
clasp (Figure 3).
Step 6: Completed clasps (Figures 4
& 5).
MODIFICATIONS
1. Clasp with additional arrowhead on
premolar (Figure 6)
2. Clasp with traction hook for engag-
ing elastics (Figure 7)
3. Modified Delta Clasp (Figure 8)
4. Clasp on incisors (Figure 9)
5. Clasp with distal extension (Figure FIG 3: Retentive arm fabrication
10)
DISCUSSION
The Adam’s clasp with additional
arrowhead may also be used when two
adjacent teeth need to be clasped for
additional retention3. However, this
clasp carries an additional procedure
of soldering the arrowhead to the FIG 4: Lateral view
bridge of the Adam’s clasp. The of the completed
Schwarz arrow head clasp may also be clasp
DENTAL TECHNOLOGY, JULY-SEPTEMBER 2019 clinical section 00

FIG 5: Superior view of the completed clasps FIG 6: Clasp with additional arrowhead on FIG 7: Clasp with traction hook for engaging FIG 8: Modified Delta Clasp
(bilateral) premolar elastics

FIG 9: Clasp on incisors FIG 10: Clasp with distal extension FIG 11: Long span Adam’s clasp for reten- FIG 12: Long span Adam’s clasp for reten-
tion in Twin-block appliance (frontal tion in Twin-block appliance (right lateral
view) view)

FIG 13: Long span Adam’s clasp for retention FIG 14-16: Twin-block with long span Adam’s clasp intra oral views
in Twin-block appliance (left lateral view)

FIG 17-18: Hawley’s appliances with long span Adam’s clasp FIG 19: Slow expansion appliance with long span Adam’s clasp

used in such situations, below the contact point between two adjacent
teeth, however, it occupies considerable amount of space in the oral
vestibule. Other factors such as complexities and the need for special
instruments in its construction, fabrication and adjustment, limits its
usage2. The Long span Adam’s clasp with interproximal arrow head
shown in this article is an effective design that is easy to fabricate with
basic wire bending instruments.
Acknowledgements
I would like to specially thank Dr. Nandini V. Kamat for her immense
help and guidance in writing this article. I would like to thank Sachin
Kakodkar, Dr. Kshama Kudchadkar, Dr. Anushka Mesquita, Dr. Neha
Kharangate, Dr. Sergio Martires, Dr. Paul Chalakkal, Dr. Neil Desouza and
Dr. Ruby Hede, Dr.Mangesh Kakodkar and Dr.Mohammad Jubail for their
valuable suggestions.
References
1. Adams CP. The design and construction of Orthodontic appliances.
Am J OrthodDentofacialOrthop 1959;45(5):383.
2. Adams CP. Removable Appliances yesterday and today. Am J
OrthodDentofacialOrthop 1969;55(6):748-768.
3. Adams CP, Kerr WJ. Appendix B: The Adams clasp, construction
and adjustment. In: The design, construction and use of removable
orthodontic appliances, 6th edition, Varghese publishing house,
Bombay; 1993: 163-69.
About the author
David Athisayam is a Dental Technician with a Diploma from Madras
Dental College And Hospital Chennai (1990). Since 1994 he has been
working in the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial
Orthopedics at the Goa Dental College And Hospital.