Clinical Innovation

Welded Archwire Hooks Journal of Indian Orthodontic Society

1-2
© 2019 Indian Orthodontic Society
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DOI: 10.1177/0301574219861203
Nameksh Raj Bhupali1, Raj Kumar Verma1, Sanjeev Verma1, journals.sagepub.com/home/jio

and Satinder Pal Singh1

Abstract
Force application through the hooks forms an integral part of sliding mechanics in orthodontics. Various methods used for
intra/intermaxillary force application are expensive or require skill and time for fabrication.This article presents an innovative
approach for welding hooks on the base archwire fabricated from the distal part of the archwire. It is a simple, sturdy, and
inexpensive technique that does not require additional armamentarium and skill.

Keywords
Archwire, hooks, welding

Introduction span so that it does not interfere with the engagement

of the archwire.
Hooks are an integral part of orthodontics for intramaxillary/ 4. The hooks attached to archwire may be used for
intermaxillary force application.1-3 Sliding mechanics4 often application of intramaxillary or intermaxillary
require the placement of hooks mesial to canines for the elastics (Figure 3).
retraction of anterior segment. Kobayashi hooks, soldered
hooks, sturdy hooks, crimpable hooks, and pre-posted
archwires are commonly used for application of elastics.
Major disadvantage of the available hooks is that
prefabricated crimpable hooks are expensive, and fabrication
of soldered hooks requires skill, experience, and time. The
design of welded hook fabricated from the excess distal
portion of the working archwire is as follows.

Fabrication
1. A bull loop of 2 mm diameter and 5 mm height is
formed at the distal end of rectangular stainless wire, Figure 1. Formation of Bull Loop at the Distal End of Archwire
i.e., 0.021" × 0.028" for (0.022" × 0.028" slot) or Bilaterally
0.017" × 0.025" (0.018" × 0.025" slot) (Figure 1). Source: Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics,
2. A 90∞ bend is made mesial and distal to bull loop so OHSC, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
that the legs lie flat in the same horizontal plane to
form a hook.
3. Hook is cut from the excess distal end of the archwire 1
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, OHSC,
and welded over the working archwire between the PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.
lateral incisors and canine bilaterally (Figure 2). It
Corresponding author:
is an alternate to soldered hook which has the same Sanjeev Verma, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics,
mesiodistal dimension as that of the welded hook. OHSC, PGIMER, Chandigarh 160012, India.
The extension should be less than the interbracket Email: drsanjuverma@yahoo.com

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2 Journal of Indian Orthodontic Society

Limitation
Needs precision for fabrication and welding, as higher
welding current may anneal the base arch wire and make it
non-functional.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with
respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this
Figure 2. Welding of Hook on Base Archwire
article.
Source: Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics,
OHSC, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
Funding
The authors received no financial support for the research,
authorship, and/or publication of this article.

References
1. Verma RK, Jena AK, Singh SP, Utreja AK. Sturdy hooks for
elastic attachments. J Clin Orthod. 2012;9:572.
2. Verma RK, Jena AK, Singh SP, Utreja AK. The multipurpose
intermaxillary hook for elastic and spring attachments.
Cyberjournal. 2013;11:1-4.
Figure 3. Force Application Through Intermaxillary Elastics
3. Yadav S, Upadhyay M. Custom made ligature hook for
Source: Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics,
OHSC, PGIMER, Chandigarh. engaging elastics. J Clin Orthod. 2007;41:39-40.
4. Tweed CH. Clinical Orthodontics. St Louis, MO: CV Mosby;
1966.
Advantage
1. Inexpensive, as no extra wire or solder needed for
fabrication.
2. Adequate strength for clinical use.
3. Less chairside time is required.