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The SPEED System: An Overview of the Appliance and Clinical Performance

Article  in  Seminars in Orthodontics · March 2008

DOI: 10.1053/j.sodo.2007.12.006

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The SPEED System:
An overview of appliance and clinical performance
J. L. Berger

The SPEED appliance, invented by Dr. G. Herbert Hanson in the early 1970’s, is a miniaturized self-ligating bracket with a
active spring clip. This fully pre-adjusted edgewise appliance, which is available in both 0.018 and 0.022 slot size, has been
in clinical use since 1977 and commercially available since 1980. During the past 25 years, the SPEED design has been high-
ly refined. Refinements include the incorporation of a super-elastic nickel titanium spring clip for greater precision of tooth
movement throughout treatment, a “Labial Window” which enhances ease of opening the spring clip and a horizontal aux-
iliary slot in the bracket body which facilitates segmental arch wire mechanics. Although the SPEED bracket is compatible
with virtually any arch wire selection, specific arch wires have been designed to fully exploit SPEED’s inherent benefits.
These include Supercable™, a seven-stranded coaxial nickel-titanium arch wire, Hills Dual-Geometry™ arch wire and
SPEED™ arch wires. Whether traditional or specialty arch wires are used, SPEED, with its highly flexible spring clip, cre-
ates a unique mechanical system which is ideally suited for ultra-precise orthodontic tooth movement.

Clinical design tests began in the mid-1970’s when Dr. Hanson

Basis for the SPEED
Design
In 1970, when Dr. G. Herbert Hanson began work on the design of
a new orthodontic appliance, two aspects of modern orthodontics
were absent. The delegation of clinical duties was not permitted in
most regions and elastomeric ligatures did not yet exist. It was not
uncommon at this time for a single practitioner to see a mere 8
patients per day. His goal therefore was to create a new edgewise
appliance that could improve operator efficiency - a self-ligating
design was the obvious choice.
In addition to improving operator efficiency, Dr. Hanson’s design
goals focused on 5 key points:
• Improved esthetics
• Significant miniaturization
• Greater precision and control of tooth movement
• Reduced tendency to trap food
• Greater predictability of friction
began to work with a Canadian aerospace manufacturer, Strite
Industries Limited. Sectioned pieces of watch springs, purchased
from a local jeweler, were carefully fitted by Dr. Hanson onto pro-
totype bracket bodies which were then welded to bands. These
attachments were installed onto selected teeth to test clinical per-
formance and permit an assessment of his concept. Successful tests
of these largely “hand-made” prototypes lead to a process of design
optimization which culminated into the wide scale clinical testing of
machine made prototypes. More than 600 patients underwent suc-
cessful treatment between October 1977 and January 1980 thus
confirming the soundness of the design now known as the
“SPEED” appliance. Further confirmation for the basis of the
SPEED design came during the same period with the withdrawal
from the market of the Edgelok appliance 1, 3; a passive self-ligating
design which enjoyed widespread commercial exposure throughout
the 1970’s.

In order to achieve these objectives, Dr. Hanson’s design would dif-

fer from past self-ligating designs such as the Boyd Bracket (1933)1
and the Ford Bracket (1933)1, 2. The focus of Boyd’s and Ford’s
“passive self-ligating design” was primarily on archwire entrap-
ment. Its tooth control was solely dependent on the fit between arch-
wire and edgewise slot. Dr. Hanson envisioned a self-ligating appli-
ance which could do much more. Replacing the ligature or rigid
door with a precisely formed flexible component not only offered
the potential to satisfy his original design objectives but more impor-
tantly created a self-ligating design which could actively cooperate
in corrective tooth movement. This was the birth of the “active self-
ligating design”.
Figure 1 The SPEED appliance. A highly refined orthodontic design which has
been clinically proven for over 25 years.
Introduction of the SPEED appliance occurred in 1980 4. Since that
time, a process of continual improvement has occurred due to the
close collaboration between the inventor, clinicians in the field and
the manufacturer. The SPEED appliance of today, Fig. 1, is a high-
ly refined orthodontic mechanism which generates overlapping
benefits for both patients and clinicians 5.

The SPEED Design
The SPEED appliance is a pre-adjusted, miniaturized edgewise appli-
ance, which employs a Super-Elastic Nickel Titanium spring clip to
entrap the archwire 6. This flexible spring clip can occupy either of two
equilibrium positions: "Slot Closed" to capture the archwire or "Slot
Open" to release the archwire. The spring clip is also capable of stor-
ing energy, which is gently released as corrective tooth movement
occurs.
When corrective tooth movement is required, arch wire engagement
results in the elastic deflection of the spring clip. Fig. 2 This elastic
deflection represents energy stored in the spring clip, which is released
A B C to close the spring clip and this is most commonly done with a gloved
Figure 2
A, illustrates the range of motion of the "spring clip". The stored energy in the spring clip
acts progressively to move the tooth until the arch wire is fully seated in the "home" posi-
tion in the bracket slot.
B, illustrates the low friction "metal to metal" contact with the SPEED bracket.
C, shows the spring clip activated for rotation. The spring clip will continually act to rotate
the tooth until the arch wire is seated in the home position in the bracket, as in Figure 2B.
Figure 3 The component parts of the SPEED appliance consist of a Micro-retentive mesh bonding pad, an In-out adapter, a Bracket body which contains both an auxiliary slot
for a 0.016 x 0.016 wire and a main edgewise arch wire slot, a Super-elastic nickel titanium spring clip, and a miniaturized integral Mushroom hook for the use of elastics.
as the bracket and its accompanying tooth are re-oriented relative to
the archwire in a corrective manner. Any subsequent movement of the
tooth from this ideal position results in a repeat of this corrective
process and a return of the tooth to its correct position. The SPEED
design ensures precise control of tooth movement in all three planes
of space due to this unique interaction between bracket and archwire.
It is important to note that SPEED is a fully pre-adjusted appliance
offered in a full range of popular torque prescriptions, Table 1.
Although the SPEED brackets are similar in appearance, they are
specifically designed for each individual tooth. Each attachment con-
sists of up to five components, Fig. 3. These include a multi-slotted
bracket body, a permanently installed Super-Elastic Nickel-Titanium
spring clip, an in-out adapter, an integral Mushroom Hook(tm) and a
Micro-Retentive Mesh(tm) bonding base. The main edgewise arch
wire slot is available in either 0.018 inch x 0.025 inch or 0.022 inch x
0.028 inch. Parallel to the main arch wire slot is a horizontal 0.016 inch
x 0.016 inch auxiliary slot, which may house secondary arch wires or
a variety of auxiliaries including preformed hooks for elastics 7, 8, 9.
A labial window is found in the face of the spring clip, which greatly
facilitates its opening. A force of only 300 grams is required to open
the spring clip using this method. (This procedure is easily performed
by the clinician but not by the patient.) A mere 200 grams is required
finger. The light force required to both open and close the SPEED
appliance makes arch wire changes a very comfortable procedure for
patient and operator alike.
Table 1. Torque Prescriptions available for the SPEED appliance

Maxillary Mandibular
Central Lateral Canine First Second First Second Central Lateral Canine First Second First Second
Bicuspid Bicuspid Molar Molar Bicuspid Bicuspid Molar Molar
Hanson +12 +8 -7 -7 -7 -10 -10 Hanson +5 +3 -4 -4 -8 -24 -28

Regular (Roth) +12 +8 -2 -7 -7 -10 -10 Regular (Roth) -1 -1 -7 -11 -17 -24 -28

Medium (MBT) +17 +10 -7 -7 -7 -10 -10 Medium (MBT) -6 -6 -7 -11 -17 -24 -10

High +22 +14 +7 -7 -7 -10 -10 High -1 -1 +7 -11 -17 -24 -28

Advantages Treatment Philosophy

of the SPEED Design
The SPEED appliance has numerous design features, which ensure its
optimal performance during orthodontic treatment. A detailed outline
of the benefits of its elegant design is beyond the scope of this chapter.
The highlights include:
Clinician
• Highly flexible nickel titanium spring clip provides precise
3-D tooth control
• Minimal friction during sliding mechanics
• Extended range of activation due to energy stored in spring clip
• Large inter-bracket span
• Spring clip will not fatigue or plastically deform under normal
treatment conditions
• Horizontal, auxiliary slot - enhances segmental mechanics
• Clinically proven for over 25 years
Patient
• Smooth, rounded, silhouette - easy for all patients to clean
• Miniaturized, wingless design with low profile improves
patient comfort
• Aesthetically appealing - polished appearance with clean
design lines
Miscellaneous
• Easy to open - Easy to close
• Mushroom Hooks available on all brackets
• Spring clip will not permit premature release of the
arch wire
• Brackets available from second molar to second molar
• Replaceable Spring clip
• Intimate bracket base fit with tooth surface
• No special instruments required for placement,
opening, closing or debonding
when using SPEED
As outlined originally by Dr. Hanson 1, 10, 11, the following
treatment philosophy is recommended:
• Try to treat without extractions in all cases which
appear to have the necessary potential
• If treatment objectives cannot be accomplished without
extractions, extract second bicuspids to minimize
any tendency toward unattractive reduction in the
prominence of the dentition
• Use preliminary functional appliances to favorably
alter jaw growth patterns wherever it is desirable and
feasible
• Employ intra-oral distalization mechanics instead of
headgear when conditions permit
• Expand arches which have failed to develop to their
full potential
• Intrude upper anterior teeth in patients who exhibit a
lot of gingival tissue
• Correct tooth rotations to ideal alignment without any
over-correction and rely upon interproximal reshaping
and circumferential supra-crestal fiberotomies to
enhance retention
• Overcorrect Class II or Class III buccal segment
relationships where a strong relapse tendency is
expected
It has already been stated that the SPEED appliance is most
responsive to very light forces. The use of light forces is
both biologically and mechanically advantageous. From a
biological standpoint light force application decreases the
risk of occurrence of such undesirable phenomenon as root
resorption 12. From a mechanical standpoint, light force
application reduces undesirable re-action forces, which can
become so large so as to complicate the simplicity of the
desired mechanics. With SPEED, one can work within the
physiologic limits of the supporting tissues 13, 14. Further, by
giving adequate time for each arch wire to fully express
itself, the role of anchorage in the treatment mechanics is
significantly reduced. As a result, there is less need for an
extraction pattern in cases treated with SPEED brackets rel-
ative to twin brackets. Exceptions include, extremely
crowded cases or where other mitigating circumstances,
such as soft tissue profile or incisor angulation, mandate
otherwise. Not only is this non-extraction approach advan-
tageous for the patient but the orthodontist benefits by hav-
ing to spend less time managing the compensatory extrac-
tion mechanics and more time managing the more pre-
dictable reaction to light forces.
Clinical Guidelines
to using SPEED
As outlined originally by Dr. Hanson 1, 10, 11
, the following
Clinical Guidelines are recommended:
• Take great care to position the brackets and tubes as
accurately as possible during initial bonding
• If significant bracket placement errors become
apparent during the course of treatment, it is better to
rectify them by re-bonding than to continually
compensate with bends in the arch wires
• A meticulous bonding technique will pay worthwhile
dividends later in terms of efficiency and quality of
treatment
• Use very light forces and go easy on over-correction.
The customary anti-tip and anti-spin provisions in
conventional edgewise appliances would be excessive
if incorporated into the SPEED technique
• Because of the small area of bracket-arch contact and
the concentration of rotational control, it is easy to
underestimate the effectiveness of the appliance at
first
• Use a light touch in manipulating the appliance and
avoid "forcing" any component
ARCH WIRES -
Selection and Use
SPEED appliance design greatly simplifies and enhances
arch wire selection and effectiveness. SPEED's wide inter-
bracket span, predictably light frictional drag and full con-
trol with even the most undersized arch wires, maximizes
efficiencies of tooth movement while ensuring excellence in
finishing. Although, SPEED's edgewise slot will accommo-
date virtually any size or configuration of arch wire, experi-
enced SPEED user's have found that the selected arch wires
outlined below most fully exploit SPEED's unique benefits.
These are recommended for best results and include
Supercable™, Figs. 4, 5, Hills Dual Geometry™, Fig. 6 and
SPEED arch wires Fig. 7. Should a clinician choose to uti-
lize these arch wires they may be used, with either 0.018 or
0.022 inch slot size, in the manner suggested in Table 2.
SPEED Supercable™
SPEED Supercable™ is a Super Elastic Nickel Titanium
coaxial arch wire consisting of 7 strands of wire wrapped
with a “long pitch” and is available in 0.016", 0.018" and
0.020". With one-third the force of a solid 0.016 Nickel
Titanium arch wire 15 it offers unmatched low force levels,
Fig. 4. As an initial aligning and levelling arch wire
Supercable may be fully engaged without plastic deforma-
tion due to its unique construction and super-elastic proper-
ties, Fig. 5. In such instances, the supporting tissues experi-
ence near optimum force levels which translate into mini-
mal, or no, patient discomfort.
Figure 4
The graph shows the unloading or deactivation forces provided
by various forms of 0.016 wire with 3 mm of activation.
Supercable deactivates at very low force levels. On average,
Supercable exerts 1/3 the force of equal diameter "round" nickel
titanium arch wire.
 A B
Figure 5
Supercable consists of seven strands of super elastic nickel-titanium wire in a coaxial form. It is available in a 0.016, 0.018 and 0.020
dimensions. A, It is impossible to permanently deform Supercable regardless of the malalignment of the dentition. B, The combined
effect of the initial light multi-strand Supercable arch wire, the wide inter-bracket span between the narrow SPEED brackets and the
energy storing capability of the spring clip greatly increases the range of appliance activation.

Figure 6 The Hills Dual-Geometry wire features a square anterior Figure 7 SPEED finishing arch wire has a 1/4 round shape, which
portion for torque control and a rounded polished posterior to facilitates arch wire insertion, spring closure and is highly effec-
enhance sliding mechanics. tive in torque control.

Hills Dual-Geometry Arch Wire "SPEED" Finishing Arch Wires

This arch wire, Fig. 6 has been designed to maximize slid-
ing mechanics in the posterior segments via its round pos-
terior portion while maintaining anterior incisor crown
torque with its square anterior portion, Fig. 8. Made from
ultra-high tensile strength stainless steel, the Hills wire
provides the stiffness needed to prevent undesirable side
effects during tooth translation. The Hills wire is manufac-
tured in two sizes - 0.018 inch x 0.018 inch anterior with
0.018 inch round posterior and 0.021 inch x 0.021 inch
anterior with 0.020 inch round posterior.
The beveled labial-gingival shape of “SPEED” finishing
arch wires encourages full expression of the inter-action
between the super-elastic spring clip, the arch wire and the
arch wire slot, Fig. 7. Any deviation of the bracket posi-
tion relative to the wire, results in deflection of the spring
clip, which stores appropriate energy for recovery. This
energy is gently released through precise three-dimension-
al tooth positioning. In addition, this quarter round arch
wire shape facilitates wire insertion and spring clip clo-
sure. These wires are manufactured in two sizes: 0.017
inch x 0.022 inch and 0.020 x 0.025 inch dimensions.
Table 2. Suggested Arch Wire Progression

0.018 Slot 0.022 Slot

Level and align - Severely crowded cases
Initiate or continue to level and align
Continue to level and align
Develop arch form
Start torque and enhance arch form
Increase torque and arch form
Initiate sliding mechanics
Differential sliding mechanics
Artistic bends and final detailing
Final torque and arch form
0.016 Supercable
0.018 Supercable
0.016 or 0.018 nickel-titanium
0.016 x 0.022 nickel-titanium
0.017 x 0.022 SPEED nickel-titanium
0.018 x 0.018 HILLS Dual-Geometry
0.017 x 0.022 TMA
0.017 x 0.022 SPEED Steel
0.016 Supercable
0.018 Supercable
0.020 Supercable
0.018 or 0.020 nickel-titanium
0.017 x 0.022 SPEED nickel-titanium
0.020 x 0.025 SPEED nickel-titanium
0.018 x 0.018 HILLS Dual-Geometry
0.021 x 0.021 HILLS Dual-Geometry
0.019 x 0.025 TMA or Force 9
0.020 x 0.025 SPEED Steel

A
Figure 8A Space closure using maxillary 0.021x 0.021x 0.020 and mandibular 0.018x 0.018x 0.018 Hills Dual Geometry arch
wires, continuous elastomeric power chain and inter-maxillary 2 ounce 3/16" elastics. Maxillary molars bonded with SPEED ER
(enhanced retention) bracket.

B
Figure 8B Significant space closure following four months of sliding mechanics. The dual arch dimension of the Hills wire great-
ly enhances posterior space closure while maintaining anterior torque control.
Clinical Case with the SPEED Appliance
Non-extraction treatment of a 12y 7m old patient with a Class III skeletal open-bite pattern, a steep mandibular plane angle and
maxillary crowding (A-I). Initial bonding (J-N) and placement of .016 maxillary and .018 mandibular Supercable arch wires. Arch
alignment and maxillary molar distalization mechanics (O1, P1) on .018 D-wire and addition of anterior compressed coil springs
(O2, P2). Segmental .016 Supercable arch wire to engage lateral incisor brackets (O3, P3) prior to alignment with main arch wire
(P4). Final detailing and torque control with .019 x .025 Force 9 arch wire (P5) before completion of treatment (Q-Y). This case clear-
ly illustrates how the SPEED appliance, with its precise 3-dimensional control, may be utilized to effectively manage complex cases
such as that of a growing patient with an adverse skeletal growth pattern.

A B C

D E F

G H I

J K L

M N
 O1 O2 O3

P1 P2 P3

P4 P5

Q R S

T U V

W X Y
 13. Berger JL The influence of the SPEED bracket's self-ligated
Summary design on force levels in tooth movement: A comparative in vitro
study. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1990; 97:(3):219-28.
The SPEED appliance is the product of over 25 years of
design refinement dating back to its original invention by 14. Shivapuja PK, Berger JL A comparative study of convention-
Dr. G. Herbert Hanson in the early 1970’s. Reflecting orig- al ligation and self-ligation bracket systems. Am J Orthod
Dentofacial Orthop 1994; 106:(5):472-80
inal design goals, which included greater patient comfort,
decreased treatment time and reduced operator time, 15. Berger JL, Byloff F, Waram T Supercable and the SPEED
SPEED has acted as a catalyst for the recent emergence of System. J Clin Orthod 1998; 32:(4): 246-53
similar and alternative self-ligating designs. The highly
miniaturized SPEED appliance differs from other self-ligat-
ing brackets by its light, continuous-acting nickel titanium
spring clip. This permits great precision and control of tooth
movement, throughout treatment, in an environment of pre-
dictably low friction.

REFERENCES

1. Woodside DG, Berger JL, Hanson GH. Self-Ligation

Orthodontics with the SPEED Appliance. In: Graber, Vanarsdall,
Vig, editors. Orthodontics: Current Principles and Techniques 4th
Edition; Elsevier Mosby, 2005: 717-752

2. Ford WF. Personal Communications.

3. Wildman AJ, Hice TL, Lane IF, Strauch EC Jr. Round table –
the Edgelok bracket. J Clin Orthod 1972:6:613-33

4. Hanson GH The SPEED system: a report on the development

of a new edgewise appliance. Am J Orthod 1980; 78:(3): 243-65

5. Berger JL, Byloff F.K. The Clinical Efficiency of Self-Ligated

Brackets J Clin Orthod 2001; 35:(5):304-8

6. Hanson GH Superelastic Nickel Titanium Spring Clips for the

SPEED Appliance J Clin Orthod 2002; 36:(9):520-3

7. Hanson GH The SPEED Bracket Auxiliary Slot J Clin Orthod

1999; 33:(6):318-21

8. Blake M, Garvey M.T. Use of SPEED Supercable with

Sectional Mechanics J Clin Orthod 1998; 32:(4):227-9

9. Berger JL Archwire Hooks for the SPEED System J Clin

Orthod 1997; 31:(6):354-7

10. Hanson GH Personal communications.

11. Hanson GH J.C.O. interviews Dr. G. Herbert Hanson on the

SPEED bracket. J Clin Orthod 1986; 20(3): 183-9

12. Blake M, Woodside DG, Pharoah MJ: A radiographic com-

parison of apical root resorption after orthodontic treatment with
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