Creative Arch Wires and

Clinical Conclusion
Robert J. Isaacson

When two successive couples are present, the absolute value of the moment
at each bracket cannot be clinically determined. The larger moment can be
identified, however, and this will show the direction of the associated equi-
librium forces. If the couples at two adjacent brackets produce moments in
opposite directions, the associated equilibrium forces are also in opposite
directions. The net equilibrium force present at each bracket is in the direc-
tion of the equilibrium force associated with the larger moment, but the
magnitude of the force is reduced by the oppositely directed equilibrium
force associated with the lesser moment. If the couples at two adjacent
brackets produce moments in the same direction, their associated equilib-
rium forces are also in the same direction and the net equilibrium force
present at each bracket is the sum of the equilibrium force associated with
each moment.
Copyright © 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company

he unique characteristic of the edgewise
T appliance is its 3-dimensional ability to cre-
ate m o m e n t s using couples. T h e orthodontic
clinical application o f the m o m e n t of a couple
requires an u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f the equilibrium
o f the m o m e n t o f a couple. This subject is
rarely m e n t i o n e d in the o r t h o d o n t i c literature.
We p r e f e r to use o n e - c o u p l e systems be-
cause they are statically d e t e r m i n a t e - - t h e
forces p r e s e n t can be m e a s u r e d clinically.
T w o - c o u p l e systems are statically indetermi-
n a t e - t h e complete force system present can
not be m e a s u r e d clinically, but the larger mo-
ment and the direction o f its associated equi-
librium can be established clinically.
Figure 1 shows the finite variety o f wire
bracket relationships possible in a two-couple
system with one V-bend. Wire A creates equal
and opposite m o m e n t s at the two teeth where
From the Department o[ Orthodontics, School of Dentistry,
Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA.
Address reprint requests to Robert J. Isaacson, DDS, MSD,
PhD, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Medical
College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box
980566, Richmond, VA 23298-0566.
Copyright © 1995 by W.B. 8aunders Company
I073-8746/95/0101-000755.00/0
it is attached. This will create equal and o p p o -
site tendencies for rotation at these teeth with
the associated equilibrium forces canceled out.
In Figure i the bracket-to-wire relationship
at B and C shows angles in opposite directions
at two brackets, but the angle is greater at the
molar. T h e r e f o r e , the direction o f the m o m e n t
at the molar determines the direction o f the
associated equilibrium forces. T h e s e forces are
only modified by the direction and m a g n i t u d e
o f any lesser m o m e n t at the incisor.
In Figure I the converse is present at D and
E and the greater m o m e n t is created at the
incisor. T h e direction o f this m o m e n t now
dominates and its direction will d e t e r m i n e the
direction o f the associated equilibrium torces.
Figure 2 shows ways the equilibrium forces
associated with the m o m e n t s in a two-couple
system with two V-bends impact on each other.
If the effects shown at B and D in Figure 1 are
combined into one arch wire, the net result is a
symmetrical V-bend with equal and opposite
moments and equilibrium forces that are can-
celed out. This is equivalent to using simulta-
neously a utility arch and a torquing arch. T h e
same effect is created when the effects o f C
and E in Figure 1 are used simultaneously.
Equal a n d o p p o s i t e m o m e n t s a r e c r e a t e d

Seminars in Orthodontics, Vol 1, No 1 (March), 1995.'pp 55-56 55

56 Robert J. Isaacson
A G
B
D i\
c % ,>
' / F~ '
I ,' i
Figure 1. T h e qualitative wire-bracket relationships
possible in a two-couple system with one V-bend. In
A the angle formed by the wire and the bracket is
equal anti opposite at the two teeth. T h e associated
e q u i l i b r i u m forces are also equal and o p p o s i t e
thereby canceling each other out. B has the larger
wire-bracket angle at the molar creating a larger
moment and larger associated equilibrium forces. It
is possible clinically to know only the direction of the
larger m o m e n t and the direction of its associated
equilibrium forces. C shows tile same relationships
as B only in tile opposite direction. D and E show
the l a r g e r wire-bracket slot angle at the incisor
showing the direction of the moment at the incisor
a n d the d i r e c t i o n o f its associateci e q u i l i b r i u m
forces.
which cancel out the associated equilibrium
forces.
F i g u r e 2 also s h o w s t h e effects o f c r e a t i n g
m o m e n t s in t h e s a m e d i r e c t i o n o r s t e p b e n d s at
t h e two b r a c k e t s . F o r e x a m p l e , if t h e effects o f
C a n d D in F i g u r e 1 a r e two m o m e n t s in t h e
same direction, the associated equilibriunl
\B / / E\
D
o /
/ o E\
Figure 2. T h e two-couple bracket-wire relationships
at the lesser bracket may be assured by amplifying
the direction of the moments at this bracket. I f the
bracket wire relationships are clearly in opposite di-
rections (as in B-D and C-E) the equilibrium force
associated with the larger m o m e n t are progressively
reduced until the angles are equal and opposite and
the associated equilibrium forces are canceled out.
This is a progression from an asymmetrical V to a
symmetrical V. When the bracket-wire relationships
are in the same direction (as in C-D and B-E) the
equilibrium forces associated with the moments at
both brackets are additive up to the point of being
ctoubled. This is a step bend.
f o r c e s a r e a d d i t i v e . T h i s is a v e r y u s e f u l p r o -
cedure and can produce strong extrusive
f o r c e s at t h e incisor. S i m i l a r l y , w h e n t h e e f f e c t s
o f B a n d E in F i g u r e 1 a r e c o m b i n e d , it is
e q u i v a l e n t to a d d i n g h e a v y facial r o o t t o r q u e
to a utility a r c h a n d t h e i n c i s o r i n s t r u s i o n f o r c e
is i n c r e a s e d .
All s y s t e m s r e p o r t e d in t h e p a s t a n d all sys-
t e m s t h a t will b e r e p o r t e d in t h e f u t u r e will u s e
these principles. The orthodontists who un-
d e r s t a n d a n d i d e n t i f y t h e m will h a v e b e t t e r
c o n t r o l o f t h e i r t r e a t m e n t s a n d g r e a t e r effi-
ciency in t r e a t m e n t .