COMMON SENSE MECHANICS

INTRODUCTION
Orthodontic appliances are being refined with passage of
time. This refinement has reduced the physical effort put forth
in treatment, but does not eliminate the need for an
orthodontist to think, understand & apply basic principles of
biomechanics in a common sense manner.
MECHANICAL CONCEPTS OF ORTHODONTICS

1. Centre of Resistance
C. Res. is the balance point of a body (tooth), where a
single force would produce translation.
C. Res. is dependent on the root length & morphology,
the number of roots, the level of alveolar bone support.

It can be defined in each plane of space.

2. Center of Rotation
The point around which
rotation occurs, when an object is
moved

-Location can be altered to

any desired point

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3. Force
Force is defined as the action of one body on another
body that
tends to change the shape on motion of the other body. It is a
vector quantity with magnitude, direction and sense.
Resolution of force implies breaking it into one or more parts,
each part called a component of that force. Resultant is a sum
of two or more vectors. The vector sum of all components of a
force must always be equal to the resultant.

4. Moment of the Force

Defined as the turning effect of the force with respect to
that line or point i.e. the tendency of a body to rotate. It is
determined by multiplying the magnitude of the force by the
perpendicular distance of the line of action to the center of
resistance. It is generally unfavorable and hence applying a
counter moment resists it.

5. Couple and Moment of a Couple

Two parallel forces of equal magnitudes acting in
opposite direction & separated by a distance. Couples result in
pure rotation about the center of resistance regardless of the
point of application. Hence moment of a couple is called pure

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moment/ free vectors/ applied moments. Magnitude of this
moment is equal to the magnitude of one of the forces x
perpendicular distance between them.

TORQUE- is a synonym of moments

Moment to Force Ratios for Various Tooth Movements

Uncontrolled tipping < 5:1

Controlled tipping 5:1 - 8:1
Translation 10:1
Root movement 12:1

Force Systems
A. Planar/ Coplanar
B. Concurrent/ Non concurrent
C. Determinate/ Indeterminate
D. Consistent/ Inconsistent
Planar- all forces acting on a body lie in one plane
Coplanar- forces do not act in the same plane.
Concurrent- forces involved have magnitude, direction
&sense. All forces act at a common point.

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Non-Concurrent- forces must have magnitude, direction, sense
as well as location. This force system is commonly used in
Orthodontics.
Determinate- moments and forces can be readily discerned,
measured & evaluated.
Indeterminate - too complex to precisely
determine all moments &forces involved
in equilibrium.
Consistent – is the one in which moment
of a force delivered by a ‘straight wire’ is
in the same direction of C.Rot.

Example: In the above figure, to correct the distal in rotation

of the second premolar, a straight wire is engaged in the molar
tube and the premolar bracket, provides the essential force
system to the premolar. This is the real meaning of ‘straight
wire orthodontics’.

Inconsistent –Means no matter whatever is

done to the straight wire, the moment and
force will not be acting in the correct
direction.

Example: To correct this mesial in rotation of the premolar, a

C.Rot. at the distal marginal ridge is needed. But, if a straight
wire is used, C. Rot. will be created at the mesial marginal
ridge rather than desired, and the tooth moves further to the
lingual. A straight wire hence cannot be used & it is always
better to use the sequence of wire entry as mentioned below to
correct this rotation.

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Recommended procedure for any desired tooth movement is
 Problem identification
 Required direction & C.Rot.
 Necessary force system for this C.R.
 Equilibrium state of the force system
 Appliance selection
 Activation

To illustrate how desirable or undesirable tooth movement

can be predicted, consider the figure below:

First and second premolars are rotated mesial in, distal

out. To correct this discrepancy, each premolar has to rotate
about a C.Rot. Corresponding to its long axis. The required
moments are present in the same direction. If an equilibrium
diagram is constructed, the couples on each premolar add up to
form a large negative couple. To maintain the equilibrium, a
positive couple must exist. This appears in the form of
buccolingual forces separated by the distance between the

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brackets –a lingual force on the I premolar & a buccal force on
the II premolar. So, now if a loop design is planned to correct
this step relationship, the teeth appear to be aligned, but
actually the entire segment has rotated positively. Hence, the
correct method to correct such step relationship is first correct
the II premolar from an anchored molar (TPA/ lingual arch)
and then to correct the I premolar
from a normally aligned II premolar and I molar.

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COMMON SENSE MECHANICS
No appliance exists which will allow an orthodontist to
treat orthodontic problems with adding the necessary
ingredient of ‘common sense’ to the mechanics instituted for
correcting the malocclusion. Regardless of how well we
understand the mechanics and how much the appliance is
refined, we are dealing with an biologic environment, whose
variation in response will continue to challenge the
orthodontist. If we are to meet this challenge, we must gather
much information as possible that will allow us to treat the
patient in a practical or realistic manner rather than treating in
a textbook fashion.

Lack of combination of the two- knowledge of mechanics

and common sense application-has lead to severe persistent
frustration and undesired delay in the attainment of treatment
goals.

Fallacy of Visual Inspection

Visual inspection often confuses the orthodontist in
attempting to determine with reliability, what forces are
present. It often leads us down the road to faulty conclusions.

Example
In the above figure, an archwire is inserted into the
molar tube and lies in the mucobuccal fold prior to incisor

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brackets. Now it is concluded that there is an anterior intrusive
force on engagement. Similarly, if the archwire is first
engaged in the anterior brackets, it appears that the molar
receives an intrusive force, but it is not so. i.e., visual
inspection provides a greater degree of accuracy and
simplicity, but the degree of error is much higher.

This clearly indicates that the visual inspection is not a

reliable method and accounts for many problems.

Mulligan’s Concepts
1. Minimal banding
2. No extra oral force
3. No lingual attachments
4. No consideration of wire sizes used
5. Use of round wires for retraction
6. Use of continuous arch wires
7. Activation done intraorally.
Mulligan’s concepts apply regardless of the slot sizes
chosen by the clinician or the interbracket span involved. So,
there is no need to alter the appliance of choice.

V” Bend Principle
Consider a “v” bend in the arch wire. This bend in the
arch wire can be centered / off-centered

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Rule For an Off –Centered Bend
“Long segment will point in the direction of the force
produced on the tooth that receives the long segment”
“Short segment points in the opposite direction of force
produced on the tooth that receives the short segment”

Rule for Centered Bend

No short/ long segment – no force is

produced i.e., in spite of tremendous
force involved in engaging archwire in
brackets, there’s no force acting on the teeth engaged.

At this point “common sense” must always be present,

that is, determining the presence of force is an important part
of efficient mechanics, but by itself doesn’t describe or predict
tooth movement.

However, moments are created both in

the anterior & posterior segment. The
magnitude & direction of this moment
depends on the location of the bend & the
angle at which the wire crosses the bracket.

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Cue Ball Concept

If force is applied thru` C.R., the ball moves

forward in a straight line without any rotation
i.e., the ball translates

If an off centered force is applied to a

ball, it moves forward in a straight line and
also rotates i.e., the ball rolls forward

If two equal and opposite forces are applied,

the ball will not translate in any direction but
will maintain its position and rotates i.e., the
ball spins
Diving Board Concept
Stiffness is proportional to cube of
the length, i.e., if length is doubled
stiffness reduces by one-eighth. Any load/
force on the diving board produces a
bend/ deflection of the board. This also
produces a ‘moment’ as the load acts at a distance from the
point of attachment. The force product perpendicular distance
gives the magnitude of the moment from the point of
attachment.

Bending moments decrease as it approaches the load. The

largest moment is produced at the point of attachment –
“CRITICAL MOMENT”

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 As the load moves to the end of the board, the critical
moment becomes a maximum.

Static Equilibrium

It implies that at ANY point within a body, sum of the

forces and moments acting on the body is zero.

This is based on Newton’s third law of Equilibrium.

i.e., Sum of vertical forces = ‘0’
Sum of horizontal forces = ‘0’
Sum of moments at any point =‘0’

In the figure below, the moment appears to be

unbalanced. However, there is an extrusive force created on
the incisors and an intrusive force on the molars such that the
moments become balanced.

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Example

‘Cantilever type intrusion arch’

The intrusion arch is inserted into the molar tube and just
overlaid in anterior bracket.

Intrusive forces on the incisors balanced by the extrusive

forces on the molars, i.e., for the vertical forces the state of
equilibrium is seen. However these vertical forces also
produce a moment of a couple which should be balanced by
another moment equal in magnitude but acting in opposite
direction. This moment is found acting on the molars causing
the crown to tip distally.

The application of unequal moments result in more

complex force systems. Example- bracket malalignment,
eccentric ‘v’ bends, gable bends, space closure springs etc.
Whenever the applied moments are unequal in magnitude,
additional forces must be present to oppose moment
difference. In many cases these forces are vertical in direction.
Determination of the complete force systems in equilibrium
aids in the recognition of these side effects.

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Clinical Application of the Above Concepts
 Intrusion of the anteriors - use round wires
 Cross bite correction
 Molar Distalisation
 Molar control
 Extraction mechanics
-Cuspid retraction
-Cuspid & bicuspid retraction
-Molar protraction

Intrusion of Anterior Teeth

Cantilever mechanics

Pure cantilever Non cantilever

Arch wire overlies Arch wire tied into

bracket ant. Segment

Pure Cantilever
Using tip back bend and diving board concept. If we
bypass the canines and bicuspids during overbite correction
and use a molar tip back bend, then we have in effect created a
diving board – ‘a true cantilever system. As seen, as distance
doubles, deflection also doubles, resulting in a net force of
one-fourth.
Force + distance = same deflection.

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 i.e., as length of wire segment increases, forces decrease.
This in turn decreases anterior intrusive forces, & hence molar
extrusive forces too decrease.

These extrusive forces are very minimum to overcome

the forces of occlusion. i.e., there are no forces on the molars.
No moment on anterior segment, as
M=F x D, here D=‘0’

Moment on the molars - produce distal crown thrust

Even then, a pure intrusive force will not be produced for
the incisors; this is because the wire will cross the lateral
incisor brackets at an angle, which creates more complex force
systems in which forces and moments are introduced in
combination. Therefore, a wire segment can be placed into the
incisor brackets for stabilization and then the arch wire used
as an overlay.

Non-Cantilever
No more pure force, but there is a combination of forces
& moments - “VERY ADVANTAGEOUS FOR
ORTHODONTIST ” - As forces are light, but also well defined

TIP BACK BEND

Forces
Tip back bend is an off-centered ‘v’ bend. When a tip
back bend is used for overbite correction, short segments are
placed into the molar tubes while long
segments prior to bracket engagement
lie in the muco-buccal fold. From this

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we can see that the long segment points apically in the incisor
area and hence indicates an incisor intrusive force and a molar
extrusive force.

Moments
When the wire is brought down from the mucobuccal fold
for insertion into the incisor brackets, the force acts at a
perpendicular distance from the center of resistance of the
molar. This produces a distal crown thrust or a mesial root
torque on the molars involved. Again, when the wire is
engaged into the incisor brackets, the intrusive force passes
labial to the C.R. of the incisors. This produces a smaller
moment compared to that in the molars.

Differential Torque
When the arch wire is engaged in the bracket slots, we
have significantly different magnitude of torque- referred to as
‘differential torque’. If the arch wire is not tied back to the
molar tubes, the anterior and posterior moments may be
permitted to respond independent of each other. However, if
the wire is tied back, the system behaves as a single unit and a
‘tug of war’ is apparent with molar having the mechanical
advantage with the larger moment.

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 Again, that is not all that is taking place. Look at the
distal aspect of molar with cue ball concept in mind. If the
arch wire does not fill the slot, the extrusive force on the
molar acts buccal to the C.R. this force times distance results
in molar lingual crown torque. This torque is not dependent on
the use of rectangular wire. However, if the wire is rigidly
attached to the tubes, the applied force passes lingual to the
C.R., inducing buccal crown torque instead.

Thus, so far, we have recognized molar extrusive forces,

incisor intrusive forces, molar mesial root torque, incisor
lingual root torque and molar lingual crown torque.

This might appear complicated for anyone who

concentrates only on one force or moment desired. However
awareness of the entire system affords us man exciting means
for utilizing parts of the system while overcoming other parts.

Does anchor bend in Begg Mechanotherapy have same

effect?

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 Anchor bend produces similar arch wire deflection in the
bracket slot, but mainly generates a force and almost nil
moment. This is due to the large vertical dimension of the slot
and a very small area of contact with the lock pin’s head.
Therefore ‘v’ bend principle does not hold good in a vertical
dimension for Begg brackets. An anchor bend in the Begg
appliance produces a moment plus vertical force on the molar
and only a vertical force on the canines.

Intrusion when lingual root torque is applied to incisors

If lingual root torque is applied to the incisor section, we
again produce a long and a short segment. The long segment
indicates an intrusive force on the molars and an extrusive
force on the incisors.

Lingual root torque is produced on

the incisors as a result of the force
necessary for the molar tube engagement
times the perpendicular distance to the
C.R. of the incisor.

If the long segment from the tip back bend maintains the
same angular relationship as the long segments from the
incisor torque bend, the vertical forces cancel each other.
Therefore, no overbite correction occurs even though we might
expect it. The extrusive component of force caused by the
anterior lingual torque must be considered.

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 However, if the lingual root torque produces a greater
angle relative to arch wire level, it will
determine the net force –an intrusive
force on molars and an
extrusive force on incisors. Therefore,
if we hope for overbite correction, the
bite deepens.

Recognition of these problems and intelligent decision-

making will follow only a thorough understanding of the
underlying principles.

Intrusion with Reverse Curve of Spee

With a reverse curve of spee, the vertical forces add on
to zero along the arch wire, producing moments at each end-
anterior lingual root torque and posterior mesial root torque.
The force system equals zero when the entire system is added,
but do not cancel each other at a given site, thereby allowing
predictable forces to act at these sites. Therefore, when
attempting anterior intrusion with reverse curve of spee, equal
and opposite extrusive forces occur in the bicuspid areas.

However these vertical forces donot develop

immediately. If the arch wires are left in place for sufficiently
longer duration, it can slowly develop
vertical forces but significant flaring of the
incisors will occur in the meantime. Hence
curve of spee is an insignificant means of
correcting overbite.

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Arch Leveling
With a full strap up, intrusive forces acting at the molar
tube produces buccal crown torque on the molars- “posterior
teeth move buccally for no apparent reason during arch
leveling.”

With a 2x4 strap up, as in mixed dentition treatment, the

force system is not the same as the one just described.
Intrusion placed in the anterior segment causes extrusive
forces on the molars and hence lingual crown
torque-“posterior teeth move lingually for no apparent reason
during arch leveling”.

As we can see, there is a reason for all responses.

Whenever, we witness responses for no apparent reason, we
have failed to recognize the cause, and as a result made our
treatment more difficult. The recognition of causes permits us
to utilize as well as avoid certain types of tooth movements.

Cross bite Correction

Cross bite

Anterior cross bite Molar cross bite

Single tooth cross bite tipping

Class III skeletal base bodily movement

Molar Cross Bite

Always remember, “high magnitudes of force threaten
the vertical dimension, while poses little or no threat to the

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horizontal dimension. Common sense – whenever we observe a
buccal segment in cross bite, are we really observing an
unilateral cross bite or are we witnessing a bilateral cross bite
with lateral mandibular shift.

Tipping
The use of overlays applies heavy force at crown level.
The term ‘overlay’- refers to a heavy wire overlaying the main
archwire. It can either be inserted into the headgear tube or
designed with terminal hooks to engage the arch wire.

Above figure shows a case treated with expanded 0.036”

overlay. Equal and opposite forces exist i.e., there exists a
buccal force on both right and left sides. Therefore, the normal

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side becomes buccoverted when the cross bite is corrected.
However, the normal side relapses to its normal position,
while the cross bite relapses to the point of improved function-
‘hopefully’ maintained in this position.

But, common sense tells us that not all the cross bites
maintain normal position when corrected. If the tooth relapses,
the expander may be reinserted and reexpanded.

Bodily Movement
If bodily movement is desired, a rectangular wire may be
placed to provide the necessary torque at the root level. The
buccal root torque is incorporated in the arch wire to produce
bodily movement. However, always keep in mind, ‘crown
movement precedes root movement’. Therefore crowns
initially move lingually – in the opposite direction of our
intention. The overlay enables to overcome this initial reaction
by providing necessary force at the crown level.

Anterior Cross Bite

Single Tooth Cross Bite
-Should be corrected in mixed dentition.

Force system includes a labial force reciprocated by

distal force on the molars. Mulligan rarely suggests the use of
bite plates, but instructs the patient to displace the molar
forward until the cross bite corrects.

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 - Labial force can also be reciprocated to the other three
incisors, rather than banding the molars.
Proper loop design must be achieved to produce rapid
movement. Triangular loop is much better than the vertical
loop as activation for cross bite correction involves torsion of
the wire along a broad base, whereas the vertical loop involves
the same torsion along a very ‘narrow’ base, resulting in less
deflective qualities and easy permanent deformation. ‘Use of
triangular loops is restricted to the labiolingual movements,
vertical loops can be best utilized for twisting /rotational
movements along the long axis of the tooth”. In the latter
condition, torsion occurs along the legs of the loop, thus
improving deflection qualities and reducing the likelihood of
permanent deformation.

Correction can be easily attained only by bonding four

teeth and a segment of 0.016” stainless steel with triangular
loop.

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Class III malocclusion
Anterior cross bite with buccal cross bite – indicates a
skeletal problem and should be ideally treated with
surgery. But treatment can be done as a compromised
orthodontic therapy.

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 Above figure is a case of class III with lower anterior
collapse and atypical cl. III profile. Treatment started as non-
extraction with maxillary expansion with class III elastics.
Only a 0.036” overlay is used to correct and maintain buccal
cross bite. Maxillary incisors are advanced by a push coil
spring to create space for the unerupted cuspid. “Mandibular
molars move distally very readily in a dental/ skeletal class III
malocclusion”. “Do not align the mandibular incisors till
overbite is achieved”. These corrections are achieved only by
a 2x 4 appliance and overlay arch. Bends are then placed distal
to mandibular lateral incisors to produce lingual movement of
the lower molars. (Always use a heavier wire-0.020”-because
minimal banding reduces force magnitude. And heavy forces
are accepted during horizontal movements). Even one year
after appliance removal the overbite maintains itself and
would be a mistake to align lower incisors if the cross bite
relapses.

Molar Distalisation- using “Differential torque”

Done to 1. Gain arch length

2. Achieve class II correction without headgear/
elastics.

1. To gain arch length

Extraction cases may be treated to non-extraction by
simply starting treatment prior to the loss of deciduous ‘E’s-
easily achieved by differential torque when the molars require
uprighting in combination with ‘e’ space. One can easily gain
about 1-1.5mm by uprighting the molars, which continue to
erupt along a new longitudinal axis upon uprighting.

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 Additional arch length by molar uprighting can be
credited to treatment planning, if the patients are still growing
vertically, but a big ‘zero’ to non-growing patients.

Differential torque
If an anterior lingual root torque
is applied without a tip back bend,
there is a tendency for the maxillary
teeth to move forward.

This tendency produces class II relapse following

headgear/ elastics. This ‘row boat’ effect can be opposed by
placing a mesial root torque to the molars using a tip back
bend in a round wire. Now, if the arch wire is tied back, there
is a distalisation tendency of the entire upper arch, although
teeth do not move distally with the same
ease they moved distally or labially.
Now, the incisor crown is maintained in
its A-P position or even retracts.

Level of unerupted II molars

Use of a tip back bend, in general, does not pose the
threat of impaction of the unerupted second molars, except for
the use of very high vertical force levels. If the first molars
are allowed to extrude when they tip back, they can be ‘lifted’
and literally ‘push’ the unerupted second molar even further
back.

These extrusive forces on the molars can be created when

labial root torque is incorporated into the anteriors, which also
increases the anterior intrusive force and hence equally
increased molar extrusive forces.

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 In this figure the unerupted II
molars have not only impacted but were
pushed back and even the cuspids and
bicuspids have tipped back.

2. Class II correction without headgear/ elastics

The figure above shows a case of deep bite, cl. II molar

with excessive crown tipping – an ideal case to use differential
torque with tip back bend. X-rays after treatment gives
evidence of distal inclination of the unbanded teeth-
explaining differential torque. Incisors intrude while the
molars tend to extrude. The unbanded cuspids provide clinical
evidence of what is actually happening.

3. Tip back bend with Class II elastics

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 Class II elastics tend to tip the occlusal plane downward.
Use of tip back bend in upper arch only, does the opposite and
thereby permits the use of cl.II elastics in such cases without
affecting the upper occlusal plane.

Molar Control
When using loop free mechanics, bends can be placed
anywhere between tubes/ brackets, creating a wire-bracket
angles at adjacent brackets. This affords the choice of various
force systems and an opportunity to produce direct response.

Extremely effective molar control can be provided by the

placement of these three bends.
1. Step/ parallel bend
2. Off centered bend
3. Center/gable bend.
These bends are placed intraorally with
Tweed’s loop forming plier only after bracket
alignment is achieved.

However malalignment of teeth can also give to similar

wire- bracket relationship and hence similar force systems.

1. Center bend
It is equivalent to two off centered bends with
short sections bent in same direction.

2. Step bend

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 It is a combination of two off centered bends with short
sections bent in opposite direction and parallel to each other

The advantage of thinking in terms of off centered bends

is that the rules presented makes it relatively easy to identify
the forces and moments produced. These bends enables the
clinician to maintain the molar position and to restore correct
position if it is lost. Also, they allow cross bite correction
without patient cooperation or the use of intermaxillary
elastics.

Causes of molar displacement

Vertical forces (either extrusive or intrusive) during
orthodontic treatment always result in moments that cause the
molars to tip buccally or lingually. If they are resisted by the
forces of occlusion, these moments may not be expressed.

Recognizing molar displacement

1. Un banded II molars
2. Functional curves of occlusion
-Curve of Monson (maxillary arch)
-Curve of Wilson (mandibular arch)

Extrusive forces produce lingual crown movement. If this

overcomes the forces the occlusion, it results in narrowing of

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posterior arch width and a reduction in the normal curve of
Monson when viewed from a frontal aspect.

Intrusive forces- produces buccal crown movement- if

not overcome by forces of occlusion- cause increase in
posterior arch width- an increase in the normal curve of
Monson -“a warning sign of balancing interferences”.

Similar forces produce similar effects in the mandibular arch-

Intrusive force- decrease in the curve of Wilson
Extrusive forces- increase in the curve of Wilson

All these problems can be solved by applying horizontal

forces to produce corrective counter moments without
depending on patient cooperation for the use of inter maxillary
elastics.

Creating horizontal forces

Horizontal forces generally produce
greater moments because the perpendicular
distance between the horizontal force and the
C.R. in the molar is greater than that of the
vertical force.

To create horizontal forces in the molar tube they should

be in an area of resilience, while the anteriors should remain

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in an area of rigidity. This rigidity can be produced by an
overlay on the anterior segment.

Sequence of Molar control bends

-“Critically important”
If the sequence of bends is violated at any time, desired
force systems will be upset.
Rotation correction – first
Displacements – second
Rotation correction – toe in/ toe out
Displacement correction – in/ out

Toe In/ Toe Out Bends

These are off centered bends located just mesial to molar
tubes.
Toe in bend produce horizontal force in a buccal
direction & distal in moment and vice versa

Step Bends
Whenever 2 bends are involved & each bend produces
forces in the same direction, then we are dealing with a step
bend

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 Placement of step bends increases the force magnitudes –
produces 4 times as much as force as a single cantilever of
same inter-bracket distance. This is mainly used when
clinician wishes to use higher force magnitudes and is d one
after placement of toe in / out the arch wires after placement
of step bends are known as “Force driven appliances”

Center Bend
This can also be considered a variation of an off centered
bend. A centered bend / gable bend can be modified to become
two off centered bends & produce similar moments in opposite
direction

Extraction Mechanics
Basic considerations
1. II molar banding:
Usually II molars are banded for anchorage purposes or
for alignment and control. Differential torque is used as an

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effective anchorage control as for as intra oral anchorage is
concerned – applied by the use of tip back bend.

2. II premolar bonding
Smaller inter-bracket distances result in bends being
relatively close the center if second bicuspid is not banded the
off center bend can be placed more distant form the center. As
we move away from the center, differential torque increases
and hence the anchorage. Also, the clinical guide to effective
anchor control is to observe the unbanded bicuspids for mesial
tipping which indicates a forward movement of the molars.

3. Tip back bend

As seen earlier, extrusive and intrusive forces are
produced depending on the short and long segments of the off
center bend. Also, two moments are produced, which are
unequal. The larger moment lies at the short segment. The
smaller moment lies at the long segment. This smaller
movement can be clockwise, counterclockwise or even
disappear. Producing a cantilever effect, depending on the
angle at which the wire crosses the bracket. As these
movements are unequal, they result in differential torque
dominated by the larger movement.

4. Resiliency of the arch wire

Resilience characteristics of
the wire can complicate the
interpretations as they on activation

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often produce a different wire/ bracket relationship than might
be expected.

Cuspid retraction
 Achieve arch alignment & leveling
 Tip back bend with short segment at anchor end
 Place toe in to prevent M–L rotation of molar
 Use power chains to retract
 Clinically evaluate anchor control
- Anchor unit is upright
- Anteriors undergo tipping, root movement & so on
- No distal tipping of molars (countered by elastic
force).
 With retraction, bend approaches the center.

When space closure is complete, another bend is made

distal to canine, to counter the tip
back bend. This produces equal &
opposite forces for root paralleling.

Simultaneous cuspid and bicuspid retraction

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  Only tip back bend provides anchor control
 If molars tip mesially during retraction , it indicates that
too much force is used for retraction

Molar protraction
 Also achieved with minimal banding using differential
torque
 However, more rigid wire is used
 Mesial in rotation –should not be countered with toe –in
 ‘V’ bend placed immediately distal to bicuspid
 Use power chain to protract

After space closure, equal & opposite moments are

created as the bend becomes centered.

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Neutral zone
Malocclusion is a state of equilibrium
 Never expand canines
 Never place incisors out of neutral zone
 Always treat posterior teeth to their arch widths
Every individual contains all information defining the
force of occlusion, habits & so on. “Remove arch wires
periodically during treatment ”. As the teeth are in mobile
state during treatment, they move quickly in the direction of
neutral zone.

Retention
Corrections should maintain themselves
Typical Retainer Policy includes
- Full time wear –6wks.
- Nightwear only –6 months.
Never discard retainer – check it every night –if not
passive –wear it when needed - PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY.
Effectiveness in Differential Moments in Anchorage
Control - Hart, Taft, and Greenberg -AJO 1992
In this study, the authors clinically and cephalometrically
investigated maximum and minimum anchorage control in four
first premolar extraction cases, using the "differential
moments (torque)" concept.

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 They concluded that the relative stability of maxillary
and mandibular molar position is of clinical significance,
indicating the effectiveness of differential moments as a means
of controlling intraoral anchorage. A significantly greater
mesial movement of the molars, both maxillary and
mandibular, is seen in those cases where the anchorage was
not considered to be maximum.

Conclusion
Understanding the mechanics encourages the clinician to
stay with the appliance of their own choice. Making certain
changes in the arch wire in time will enable the clinician to
continue his favorite technique, without any limitations.

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