‫ شمس كاظم محمد‬.

‫د‬
z- spring
its similar to the letter z in its shape,
its active component of removable
orthodontic appliance (palatally
situated). its use to push one
anterior tooth from lingual to labial
direction.

Component

1- Three equal arms

The first one (active arm) with non-traumatic end in the shape of small
coil directed away from the gingiva.
2 -two coil 2-3mm in internal diameter to
increase the flexibility of the wire and decrease its
force. the direction of the first coil is upward while
the second coil is directed downward to keep the
spring in one plane.
3-retentive arm(tag): it's that part that is
embedded in acrylic base plate for retention of the
spring into the acrylic. its zigzag in shape and parallel to the palate
midline.
Properties

* Made from 0.5mm hard stainless steel for incisors and 0.6mm for
canine.
* Its width equal to the mesiodistal width of the tooth from the contact
area.
* The active arm sits on the cingulum and the level of the coils with the
arms should be perpendicular on the palatal aspect of the tooth to
prevent slippage of the wire.
* The spring is covered by thin layer of acrylic from the acrylic base plate
to prevent food stagnation, trauma to the wire and slippage of the
spring in an incisal direction.
* Should point mesially, unless the tooth is distally rotated.
* The spring should not be in contact with the palate.

Uses
1-correction of an anterior cross bite of single instanding tooth.

2- tooth rotation of less than 90◦ together with Hawley arch (couple
force system) with Hawley arch.

Activation
- the spring activated by placing the round beak of the spring forming
plier into the helix that lie closer to the edge of the base plate and gently
unwinding the helix.
- The active arm pulled forward and upward so that the spring activated
in 45◦ so that the spring does not interfere with path of insertion.
 -The active arm should be activated until the free arm lies just below
the incisal edge of the tooth to be moved when the appliance is held in
position.
- The appliance then should be seated in the patient mouth to check the
extent of activation it's important that the free arm of the z spring lie
parallel to the palatal surface of the tooth.
- As it returns to its original length, it will push the tooth labially,
assuming that the height of the posterior bite plane is adequate
to prevent the lower incisors hindering movement.

Baseplate: If the overbite is increased and only one tooth needs to be

moved labially, a flat anterior bite plane may be included instead.

SUBSEQUENT VISITS

Patient should be seen 2-3 weeks after the appliance

Alternative

1-T-springs Correcting a cross bite on a single tooth . 2- screw