Creative wire bending-The force system from step

and V bends
Charles J. Burstone, 0.0.S., M.S., and Herbert A. Koenig, Ph.DJ
Farmington, Conn.

The force system produced by wires with steps and V bends was s'udied analytically by means of a
small deflection mathematic analysis. Characteristic force relations ips were found in both the
step and the V bend. Step bands centrally placed between adjacen brackets produce unidirectional
couples that are equal in magnitude. Along with these couples, ve ical or horizontal forces are
produced depending upon the plane of activation. Mesiodistal place ent of step bends is not critical
because very little alteration in force system occurs if a step is cent red or positioned off center.
V bends, on the other hand, are very sensitive to the positioning mesiodistally of the apex of the V. If
the apex of the V bend is placed on center, equal and opposite couples are produced. As the
V-bend apex is moved off center, predictable combinations of moments and forces are created. A
method for determination of the relative force system is described that allows for simple interpretation
and prediction of the force system from a V bend. The clinical applications of these data and a
rational basis for wire bending are presented based on the producing of a desired force system.
(AM J 0RTHOD DENTOFAC 0RTHOP 1988;93:59-67.)

In a previous study, the force systems pro-
duced by a straight wire in malaligned brackets were
determined. 1 It was found that a predictable ratio of the
moments produced between two adjacent brackets re-
mained constant regardless of interbracket distance or
the cross section of the wire used if the angles of the
bracket remained constant to the interbracket axis. On
the basis of this work, a classification of bracket-wire
geometries was established that can serve as a guide to
the force systems that would be expected from a straight
wire appliance.
Although in recent years there has been a trend away
from placing bends in wires by building more activation
with bracket position and design, there is no question
that comprehensive orthodontic treatment requires the
placement of bends in wires. Bends are placed for a
number of reasons-for example, (I) to correct tooth
position if a discrepancy or error is present in bracket
position; (2) as teeth approach their final position of
alignment, it may be necessary to increase the mag-
nitude of force, which can be accomplished by replac-
ing the original wire with a wire of a larger cross section
or by using the original wire and placing an exaggerated
bend; (3) wires may be selected with very low load-
From the University of Connecticut Health Center.
Supported by NJH/NIDR Grant DE-03953.
deflection rates that require overbending beyond the
position of" an ideal arch" to build up to more optimum
force values for tooth movement; and (4) certain types
of specialized tooth movement, such as space closure,
tipback mechanics, intrusion, and root movement, re-
quire appropriate wire bending.
There are two approaches to the placement of bends
in an arch wire. One could be described as the "ideal"
shape-driven approach. The orthodontist forms a wire
to the shape in which the desired occlusion would be
if all of the brackets were to finally align themselves
on the wire. This is the "ideal" arch concept. As has
been previously shown, the "ideal" shape-driven ap-
proach to bending an orthodontic appliance can lead to
undesirable side effects and may not operate in a manner
predicted by a superficial reading of the relationship of
a wire to a bracket. 1 Even if eventually the teeth will
align themselves on a straight wire (which may require
increasing the stiffness of the wire by replacement with
wires of a larger cross section), the overall orientation
of the teeth in space may not be what is desired; fur-
thermore, during this process of alignment, teeth do
not move to the final straight wire position but undergo
extraneous and undesirable movements because of the
intervening force systems produced. A more rational
approach to the bending of a wire is to make bends that
deliver the required force system to produce wanted
tooth movement. Although there is still much to be
59
 ,:\.m ·1 Orthod. Oi:tll<~fat Orthup.
60 Burstone and Koenig
f11m.u1n 198X

STEP BEND FORCE SYSTEM r·-~-···-·-··--- l

r ----- 6"-~J:.\~,\

M,

J.~
M,

n 1
l F,
f,

==
Bracket 1 Bracket 2
>-
z
~ 800
0
::E

Fig. 1. Forces (F) and moments (M) produced by a step in a

wire. All forces are acting on the wire. The forces to the teeth --·- .L--.- ~L~-. _L_ --· --
are equal and opposite (not shown). ' 4 '
O/ l

Fig. 3. Moments at bracket 1 and bracket 2 produced by a wire

step. As the ail ratio is changed, moments remain the same.
A small negligible reduction in M, occurs if the bend is placed
2 very close to bracket 1.
it.:,0351
!j

;;; •OO
'
~
::E
two aligned brackets with interbracket distances of
i300t
I
~ 7 mm and 14 mm. Two sets of bends were studied-
.... steps and V bends. As measured from the levels of the
~ 200 f
brackets vertically, the step and V bends were made so
...0 i

that their height was 0.35 mm (.:l). The position of the

Fig. 2. Forces at bracket 1 and bracket 2 produced by a wire
step. As the a/L ratio (mesiodistal position of the step) is
changed, the forces remain relatively constant.
learned concerning an optimum force system, partic-
ularly in respect to the magnitude of moments and
forces and moment to force ratios, it is important that
the clinician make the bends so that at least the moments
and forces are in a correct direction.
It is the thrust of this article to look at what might
be called creative wire bending-not the ability to ma-
nipulate wire and pliers, but how a wire should be bent
to produce a desired force system. An infinite number
of shapes or bends can be placed between two brackets.
We will consider here only two commonly used basic
bends-the step and the V bend. The force systems
from these two types of bends will be studied, funda-
mental principles will be elicited, and the clinical ap-
plications shown.
METHOD
The wires used in this study were 0.016-inch stain-
less steel wires* with bends; they were placed between
*E = 0.2111104 x 10" g/mm2 ; Mm"-~ 1,860 g-mm.
step or the V bend was changed mesiodistally so as to
alter an a/L ratio (a = distance from V bend apex to
bracket; L = interbracket distance). This ratio mea-
sured the centering or lack of centering of the bend
within the interbracket distance. The step and V bend
relationships are shown in Figs. l and 6, respectively.
At each bracket the moments (M) and the forces ( F)
were calculated. In addition, the ratio between the
moment produced at bracket 2 in comparison with
bracket 1 was determined.
The solutions were carried out by means of an an-
alytic model based upon small deflection theory. Large
mesiodistal forces would be anticipated as deflections
become great if wires are not free to slide in brackets.
In previous work it has been shown that if wires are
free to slide in brackets, the small deflection theory
approximation is quite good for predicting force sys-
tems in which overall deflections are relatively small,
such as in these applications. 2 It should be remembered
that in this type of solution, we are purposely ignoring
mesiodistal forces that could be present clinically so
that the fundamental relationships can be more easily
studied. Differences in boundary conditions from those
assumed in the study could lead to differences in both
the relative and absolute force systems.
The method used in this work to effect the analytic
simulation of an activated wire is known as the transfer
matrix method.
The beam (or wire) is initially divided into separate
Volume 93
Creative wire bending 61
Numher I

A.

347 g m ! )
1210
_ gm-mm
;; 1200r
~ IOOO
----7 m m - - -...
.,2
er soc
8.
"
1-
..,z
2
0
2
600

400
1210
gm-mm
1
347 gm
347 gm l) 1210
gm-mm
WWW
200 ----7 mm----+
-··-~----L---~--~--~-----
' Fig. 5. A, Force system produced by 0.016-inch stainless wire
!> (MM I
with 0.35-mm step, 7-mm interbracket distance. Note large
Fig. 4. As step height (~) is increased, a linear relationship with magnitude of forces and moments. All forces and moments are
the moment occurs. acting on the wire. B, Same force systems shown in A except
directions of forces and moments have been reversed to show
the force system acting on the teeth.

geometric points along its length known as nodal points.

The elastic beam relationships that exist between these
nodes are stated in mathematic form and are related to
each other. 3 ·4 These relationships are known as transfer
2000
matrices. The wire is then constructed mathematically
by superimposing these relationships until the force and -en
2 1$00
FT
2

<
deflection system at one end of the wire is directly
related to the force and deflection system at the other "" 1200

end. The boundary conditions, which relate the forces

and the activations at the termini of the wire, are then
applied.
The solution occurs upon the inversion of a system
matrix. Thus, the unknown activations and forces are
calculated. The forces and the activations along the
length of the entire wire are then calculated by means
of the previously developed transfer matrices.
RESULTS
Step bends
In a second-order direction, a step in a wire between
two brackets produces equal and opposite vertical
forces, and unidirectional couples whose moments are
equal in magnitude (Fig. 1). Since the moments are in
the same direction and of equal magnitude, the ratio is
M2/M 1 = 1. This ratio defines the relative force system
from a step in a wire that is identical to the Class I ratio
of M2/M 1 found with a straight wire with parallel and
stepped brackets. 1 If a/L is plotted against both force
and moment, it can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3 that for a
14-mm interbracket distance, there is approximately no
change in the magnitude of the force or the moment
when the mesiodistal position of the step is changed.
Basically, this is true of a 7-mm interbracket dis-
tance, although in this situation as the step approaches
bracket 1, there is a very slight lowering in both force
"'u
"...
0
800
400 Fl4
2
.....
---- .2 .3 .. a/L
Fig. 6. Forces at bracket 1 and bracket 2 produced by V bend.
As the V is placed off center, vertical forces increase. P and
F14 denote 7-mm and 14-mm interbracket distances.
and moment. For all practical purposes then, the shift-
ing of the step mesiodistally does not alter the abso-
lute or relative force system. Furthermore, the ratio
M2 /M 1 = 1 is independent of the interbracket distance.
When the height of the step is modified to reduce the
deflection, a linear relationship of the moments is found
(Fig. 4). This means that with smaller or larger steps,
the relationship M2/M 1 = 1 remains constant.
The actual moments and forces over a typical
7-mm interbracket distance in an edgewise appliance
using even a small 0.016-inch wire are very large:
347 g vertical force with 1210 g-mm moment (Fig. 5).
It is obvious that both forces and moments are required
for wire equilibrium; although the orthodontist may
want either the force or the moment alone, he must
accept both.

62 Burstone and Koenig
oil
1-
z -2000
w
::E
0
::E -"30CC}
Fig. 7. Moments at bracket 1 and bracket 2 produced by a
V bend. Crossover of a O g-mm at M2 occurs when bend is
placed one third the distance between the brackets. Each all
ratio gives a different M2/M, ratio.
The ratio M/F at each bracket is a measure of the
relative amount of force and moment acting at each
tooth. The M/F ratio is not a constant for a stepped
wire because it is dependent upon the interbracket dis-
tance. The larger the interbracket distance, the greater
M/F ratio. The significance of this ratio is that for any
given magnitude of vertical force (in a second-order
direction), the corresponding moments that would act
would be greater with increasing interbracket distances.
For example, if the interbracket distance is doubled
from 7 mm to 14 mm, the force for a 0.35-mm step is
reduced to 43 g. The M/F ratio for the 7-mm span
(1210 g-mm) is 3.5 to I. However, for the 14-mm span,
the M/F ratio is 7 .0 (301 g-mm/43 g). The M/F ratio
is thus proportional to the interbracket distance.
V bends
Unlike a step, a V bend placed between two brackets
radically alters the force system, depending upon the
mesiodistal placement of the apex of the V (Figs. 6
and 7). A convenient measure of the mesiodistal place-
ment is the ratio a/L. When the apex of the V bend is
centered (a/L = 0.5), the moments at each bracket
M2 /M 1 are equal and opposite in direction. As the apex
is moved to the left toward bracket 1, the ratio M2 /M 1
will change. If a/Lis 0.4, M2 /M 1 becomes -0.3. The
moments at the two brackets are unequal, with the mo-
ment farthest away from the V-bend apex being one
third the magnitude of the other moment. If one con-
tinues to move the V bend farther toward bracket 1 so
that a/L = 0.33, then no moment whatsoever is found
at bracket 2, only a single force. Finally, if the V bend
is moved farther toward M 1 (a/L = 0.2), the mo-
·\m 1 t Jnhua i '''motm { fr<'f;ur'
)cmuun' ) •)~?<:
Table I. Force systems from step and V bends
u:L* M,lM1 Vertical r or horcontaiJ forr·n
Step bend'.
/\ 11 ! (; \
V bench
!) JO \J.-1 xx xx
l.l.20 O.~ xxx
0 .. \3 OU xx
0 -IO O.. ' x
(j 'i(I I L None
*a = Distance from V-bend apex to bracket; L ·~ lnterbracket
distance.
ment at bracket 1 becomes one third the moment at
bracket 2 and both moments are in the same direction.
These fundamental relationships hold true regardless of
the interbracket distance. For example, in Fig. 7, the
point of zero moment crossover for both 7-mm and
14-mm interbracket distances is at a/L = 0.33. A sum-
mary of the relationship of a/L in respect to Mz/M 1 is
given in Table I. Note the orderly progression of the
Mi/M 1 ratio as the V bend moves from a centered po-
sition to an off-center position as measured by the a/L
ratio.
As the a/L ratio changes, so does the magnitude of
the force (Fig. 6). When the V bend is centered, equal
and opposite couples are produced and hence there is
no vertical force. As the V bend is moved toward
bracket 1, the force increases in a nonlinear manner.
With a smaller interbracket distance in comparison
to a larger one, greater force for the same magnitude
of moments is required. As in a step bend, the M/F
ratio on both brackets increases linearly with inrer-
bracket distance.
Fig. 8 shows the absolute force system that would
be present for three a/L ratios. In all three activations,
the V bend has been made so that the height of the apex
in respect to a line connecting the brackets is 0.35 mm
with an interbracket distance of 7 mm. In Fig. 8, A.
where the V bend is centered, equal and opposite cou-
ples of 803 g-mm are produced. If the yield moment
were 1860 g-mm, the maximal height of the bend pos-
sible without permanent deformation would be only
0.8 mm. In Fig. 8, B, the V bend is moved off center
with an a/L = 0. 29. The lack of centering produces a
very large moment, 2210 g-mm at M 1 and a smaller
moment in the same direction, 272 g-mm at M2 . Very
large vertical forces are also produced with magnitudes
of 353 g. If the V bend is placed even farther off center
as in Fig. 7, C. the moment at M 1 becomes exceedingly
large (4840 g-mm). There is also an increase in the
Volume 93
Number 1
Creative wire bending 63

Table II. M2/M, ratios for V bends as a function "V" BEND FORCE SYSTEMS
of apex position from bracket I
V-bend apex position (mm)
A.
803
gm-mm ( ~
...... -........
_ ...... -~·~ ....... _
~
) 803
gm-mm

7 mm IBD* I 14 mm /BD* M2 /M1

B. 353 gm _,-.

2210
gm-mm (~
"' ......
f
"'"' ..................

353 gm
."\
,
262
grn-mm

C. 937 gm~-

4840 i //-~ ............... _ ) 1720

gm-mm ( ~ ~ gm-mm
937 gm f

Fig. 8. Force systems from three a/L ratios. lnterbracket dis-

tance is 7 mm; height of V bend is 0.35 mm. A, Centered
V all = 0.5; equal and opposite couples. B, a/L = 0.29; a
larger moment exists at M,. C, a/L = 0.14; forces and moments
are much greater than in A and B. In B and C, the wire would
permanently deform.
magnitude of the moment at M2 to 1720 g-mm. The
vertical forces become 937 g. The large moments pro-
duced at M1 in Fig. 8, Band C, could lead to permanent
deformation of the wire. If one assumed a maximum
moment at yield for the wire at 1860 g-mm, permanent
deformation would occur at the point on the wire near
bracket 1 since moments considerably more than 1860 1000
~ Mz!OIL'051
g-mm are produced. When that happens, not only is 2
2 1500
there less force and moment but the entire wire bracket 4(MM)
2 .I .2 .3 .4
geometry changes, giving an entirely different M2/M 1 "'
~
~ - - - M2 la/L•0.291
ratio and therefore a different type of tooth movement. -500

If the height of the apex of the V bend is increased "'2 M1 (all"- 0.5)
0 -1000
2
or decreased, the relative force system M2/M 1 does not
change. Fig. 9 shows the linear relationship between
-2.000
the height of the V bend and the moments produced.
It should be remembered that if the height of the -2!500

V bend becomes too great, (1) activations would be

beyond the yield strength of the wire and permanent
deformation would occur, and (2) these relationships
are only true within the elastic limit.
Table II gives the actual positioning of the V bend
in respect to bracket 1 in millimeters for both 7-mm
and 14-mm interbracket distances. The high sensitivity
of placing the apex of the V in short interbracket dis-
tances becomes evident. For a 7-mm interbracket dis-
tance, as would be expected, equal and opposite couples
would be produced if the bend is placed 3.5 mm to the
right of M 1. If the bend is placed at 2.3 mm, the force
system is radically changed so the moment at M2 is
completely eliminated. The difference in positioning
between these two force systems is only 1.2 mm. Fur-
thermore, if the bend is moved only an additional
0.9 mm toward M 1, a moment will be produced at M2
in the opposite direction-one third of the moment at
M 1• With a larger interbracket distance of 14 mm, con-
siderably more leeway is present and small errors in
Fig. 9. A linear relationship is shown between V-bend height
(~) and M1 and M2 with varying a/L ratios.
the positioning of the V bend mesiodistally would not
so significantly change the relative force system.
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
The present study leads to important clinical appli-
cations in the use of two fundamental bends, a step and
a V bend. Although the exact magnitudes of the forces
and moments are significant and will become increas-
ingly important as orthodontic appliances become more
sophisticated, it is the relative force system that cur-
rently is the most relevant. Even if the forces are not
the exact magnitudes the orthodontist wishes or if the
M/F ratios of a given tooth do not approach what we
estimate would be the optimum, at a basic minimum it
is necessary that the moments and forces at least be in

64 Burstone and Koenig
I 2
->t<--3 ~
''
D --~·
B '
l I
~ .l.-->k6",'
o 2
- - .l.2 ~ I
D
c
I
I I
~ i
--...i"'-.- -:; ~
: J
I
I
Fig. 1O. Mesiodistal placement of V bend between molars and
incisor has a large effect on the force system. A, Bend at
a/L = 0.33 (a: measured from the molar tube; the incisor re-
ceives only an intrusive force). 8, Bend centered at a/L = 0.5.
Incisors and molars are acted on by equal and opposite couples.
If the arch is tied back, incisor root movement would occur.
C, Bend placed anteriorly, a/L = 0.66. Lingual root torque and
an eruptive force are acting on the incisors. All forces are shown
acting on the teeth.
the correct direction. In this section on clinical appli-
cations, we will address the relative force systems.
Since the relative magnitude of these forces and mo-
ments will be emphasized, no force magnitudes will be
used in the diagrams. (Unlike previous equilibrium di-
agrams in the RESULTS section, the forces and moments
are shown acting on the teeth.)
Fig. 10 shows a lateral view of an arch in which
attachments have been placed only on the first molar
and the four incisors. We are taking some liberties with
the actual clinical situation, which might be more com-
plicated since the arch curves around the comer and
there may be friction and/ or play between the attach-
ments and the wire. Here we assume (1) forces acting
in one plane, (2) full-bracket engagement from a rec-
tangular wire, and (3) freedom to slide, eliminating
mesiodistal forces.
-\n; { >r1hod_ Dcmuf;h <h:ilo;
lanuitr\' l 98X
l i''
....L
'J /2
,
}v
~-()
c
Fig. 11. Mesiodistal position of V bends placed between canine
and molar alters force system on the molars. A, Lingual force
only. 8, A pure moment (couple) on the molar producing me-
siobuccaf rotation; no lateral forces. C, Moment producing me-
siobuccal rotation. Buccal force is on the molar. All forces are
shown acting on the teeth.
Let us place a V bend in a continuous arch with the
apex of the V one third the distance from the molar
tube to the incisor brackets (a/L = 0.33). A single
intrusive force is produced on the incisor and on the
molar both an eruptive force and a moment tending to
move the roots forward and the crowns back. This could
lead to incisor intrusion, molar tipback, and, ifthe arch
wire is tied back, possible retraction of the upper in-
cisors (Fig. 10, A). If we decide to place our V bend
even farther posteriorly, perhaps next to the molar tube,
the force system will change. This configuration would
produce a moment on the central incisor tending to
move the crown back and the root forward (labial root
torque). This moment produced on the central incisor
could be useful in preventing flaring of the upper incisor
during intrusion; however, in other situations it could
be an undesirable side effect, moving the root labially.
When the V bend is placed off center posteriorly so that
a/Lis smaller than 0.33, the more the bend is increased,
both the intrusive force and the labial root moment on
the incisor will increase. If we place the V bend
Volume 93
Number I
one third of the distance from the molar tube to the
bracket, we reach that crossover point where the mo-
ment is eliminated and any increased activation pro-
duces greater force without concern for spurious torque
on the incisors.
In Fig. 10, B, the V bend is now placed in the center
between the molar tube and the bracket; equal and op-
posite couples are produced. If the arch wire were tied
back so anteroposterior forces were created, this wire
could be used to move the roots lingually on the upper
incisors. The roots would also move mesially on the
molar, but this could be prevented by increasing the
number of teeth in the posterior segment or backing up
the posterior teeth with suitable headgear.
Fig. IO, C, shows the V bend now positioned closer
to the central incisor bracket (a/L = 0.66 from the
molar). The force system completely changes; instead
of an intrusive force as in Fig. 10, A, there is now an
eruptive force on the central incisor with lingual root
torque. An intrusive force on the molar is also seen.
By moving the V bend forward, we have a root spring
for the incisors, provided the wire is tied back to prevent
anterior flaring of the incisors. The eruptive force si-
multaneously extrudes the incisors.
From an occlusal view, Fig. 11 shows the effects
of altering the placement of a V bend between the canine
and the first molar. The forces and the moments between
the canines tend to cancel out across the anterior part
of the arch (although side effects are still possible with
highly flexible wires). For that reason we will primarily
concentrate on the force system on the first molars. If
the V bend is placed one third of the distance from
the canine bracket to the molar tube as measured
from the canine bracket, a lingual force would be
produced on the molar, moving it lingually without
any rotation (Fig. 11, A). If the V bend is placed
close to the first molar, a force is produced moving
the first molars buccally and a moment produces
mesiobuccal rotation (Fig. 11, C). As would be
expected, if the V bend is placed centrally between the
canine and the first molar, equal and opposite couples
would be produced. This allows for pure rotation of
the first molar without the buccal force (Fig. 11, B).
If we would like to rotate the molar with the mesial
aspect out and also have a lingual force, the V bend
must be placed somewhere between the a/L of 0.3 and
0.5 as measured from the canine bracket. In a situation
in which mesiolingual rotation and lingual force on the
first molar are required (this is sometimes indicated in
uniarch extraction cases), the V bend should be placed
as close as possible to the bracket on the canine (a/L
greater than 0.66).
Creative wire bending 65
ESTHETIC BENDS - UPPER INCISORS
A.
+
I n r)
ii n
~I
n
i
n!
~?
1'
~ ?
t !
Fig. 12. Forces produced by anterior esthetic bends to move
roots distally. A, V bend between central incisors gives equal
and opposite couples. B, Step bends between central and lat-
eral incisors give vertical forces and unidirectional couples. C,
Summation of A and B. Moments are in corrE1ct direction for
root movement but are not equal. Vertical forces will erupt the
central incisors. All forces are shown acting on the teeth.
In the above two examples of force systems, one
can see the principle of creative wire bending at work.
The older, traditional approach in orthodontic treatment
has been an "ideal" shape-drive appliance. The
"ideal" shape thinking goes something like this: if you
would like to move a molar lingually and rotate the
tooth mesiobuccally, bend the wire so that it lies lingual
and angled to the bracket. As we have seen, this may
create many different force systems and may not pro-
duce the force system that is needed. A scientific and
more creative approach is to (1) determine where the
teeth should be moved and (2) establish the directions
of both the force and the moment needed. Ideally, we
should also establish the magnitudes of these forces and
the ratio between the moment and force, but for now
we will consider only the directions of the force and
moment and (3) develop the proper shape in the wire
to deliver that force system. This is what we mean by
creative wire bending. A force-driven appliance is not
fabricated by the shape of an ideal wire or by falla-
ciously placing the wire in one bracket and looking to
see where the wire is at the other bracket, imagining
the teeth will move to that position on the wire. It is
based on understanding some very fundamental rela-
tionships between the force system and what type of
bend is used and where it is placed. The appliance thus
becomes force driven and is shaped to deliver the de-
sired forces rather than some arbitrary shape that some-
how is related to the final position of the teeth or an
exaggeration of the final position of the teeth.
The step bend, unlike the V bend, is not critical in
its mesiodistal placement. For those orthodontists using
66 Bursrone and Koenig
tipback mechanics with tipback bends such as the
Tweed technique, this fact offers great convenience.
Historically, bends have been placed that are called long
or short tipbacks; these bends are placed either off cen-
ter or on center and may change in position during
tipback mechanics. The favorable finding from this
study shows that the placement of the bend does not
appreciably influence the force system present.
The last clinical example that will be given is the
placement of anterior esthetic bends. Fig. 12 shows an
upper anterior segment in which esthetic bends have
been placed between the four incisors. Although when
play is present there may be other effects between
brackets from one bracket down the line to nonadjacent
brackets, our analysis will ignore this phenomenon and
also the mesiodistal forces (in order) that the funda-
mental effects of this configuration can be studied.
Between the central incisors, a V bend is placed
that produces equal and opposite couples. This is shown
as the block A of the force system in Fig. 12. Between
the central and the lateral incisors, a step bend is seen.
The unidirectional couples and vertical forces of the
step are shown in block B. If there is an addition of
the force system from the V bend and the step, the total
force system on each of the four brackets is shown in
block C. The total force system acting at each of the
incisors is very interesting, producing both desirable
and undesirable effects in most patients. There are mo-
ments tending to move the roots distally and this i~
desirable; unfortunately, the moments are not cqual-
Jarger moments are present on the central incisors in
comparison to the lateral incisors. The actual moments
that would be acting on the lateral incisor. of course.
would be dependent upon what type of bend is placed
between the lateral and the canine. which, for simplicity
of analysis, we are ignoring. Intrusive forces are pro-
duced at the lateral brackets. These teeth will not be
intruded provided the arch wire is connected to the
posterior teeth. On the central incisors. an extrusive
force is produced and in patients who previously have
had intrusion of teeth or who have deep overbites, this
extrusive force becomes an undesirable side effect
Many orthodontists have noticed that when they place
esthetic bends, the deep overbite increases. This could
be anticipated by an understanding of the force system.
Conversely, if one tried to correct a deep overbite by
stepping the incisors apically, the moments produced
would tend to move the roots mesially. For these reasons
esthetic bends may not be the most sensible way to
correct the axial inclinations of the incisors in many
patients.
This study and the clinical applications of results
, \n1 Or thud n, i-ifof\/i_. On:.,);,
frmfl(/f1 1\)8X
have considered brackets in a straight lme with vana-
tions of V and step bends. The usual clinical situation
will have a combination of bends and malaligned brack-
ets that are not in a straight line. The actual force system
is produced by adding together the two effects. Previ
ously, the force system from malaligned brackets in
straight wire was discussed and certain principles elic
ited on the basis of the relative angulation of adjacent
brackets. To produce a desired force system, two ap-
proaches are possible. The first approach allows the
orthodontist to use a straight wire, triggering the force
system produced by the wire in malaligned bracket~
and adding the proper bends whose force systems are
summated to the straight wire force system. This is
called the super-position method. The other approach
is to first contour the wire passively between two brack-
ets and then to add the proper V or step bends. Since
in this approach we remove the force system produced
by a straight wire and malaligned brackets, it is referred
to as the subtraction method. With small interbracket
distances, it becomes increasingly difficult to use either
the super-position or the subtraction method. Small er-
rors in wire bending can produce large errors in force
systems. As the interbracket distance increases. (>Ur
potential for delivering the desired force system is en
hanced. Nevertheless. regardless of the interbracket
distance, knowing where to place the bend and knowing
what type of bend to place at least heads the clinician
in the right direction to achieve the proper tooth
movement.
ln this study we purposely have looked at the effect
of only two basic types of bends, V and step, on the
force system using small deflection theory. Although
we have the capability of solving these problems in
large deflection formulation, it is important to ha11e a
first approximation using small deflection theory tc es-
tablish some of the basic principles. Future studies are
important to determine what differences in the actual
force systems exist with large deflections. Particularly,
rhe calculation of mesiodistal forces requires a consid-
eration of both large deflection theory and bracket wire
interface phenomena such as freedom to slide and play.
V and step bands are not the only bends that can
be placed to produce a given force system. Combina
tions of V bends and steps can be used. In partirnlar.
arcs or wire curvatures have many advantages in pro-
ducing the desired forces and moments, more predict-
ably, eliminating permanent deformation of wires and
creating an activated wire shape that more clo~eiy ap-
proximates a straight wire. A discussion of the use of
wire curvatures instead of V and step bends is beyond
the scope of this article.
Volume 91
Number 1
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The effects of placing V bends and steps between
brackets was studied by means of an analytic technique.
It was found that the placement of a V or step bend
and its positioning between two brackets will produce
a characteristic force system.
1. A step between two brackets produces unidirec-
tional couples of equal magnitude and horizontal
or vertical forces, depending upon the plane of
activation.
2. The mesiodistal placement of a step does not
alter the force system in any appreciable amount.
3. AV bend placed between brackets produces en-
tirely different force systems, depending upon
the centering or lack of centering of the apex of
the V.
4. The position of the apex of the V can be de-
scribed conveniently as the ratio of a/L (the dis-
tance between the apex to one bracket over the
total interbracket distance).
5. Each a/L ratio has a characteristic force system.
An orderly progression between incremental
changes in the a/L ratio and the moments at the
attached brackets is given.
6. With a V bend, the point of zero moment cross-
Creative wire bending 67
over occurs with an a/L of 0.33, where no mo-
ment is produced at the bracket farthest away
from the V bend.
The clinical application of understanding and using
these basic relationships between wire shape and force
systems is discussed.
Creative wire bending is based upon first determin-
ing a force system required for the desired tooth move-
ment and then placing the proper shape and bend to
create that force system.
REFERENCES
I. Burstone CJ, Koenig HA. Force systems from an ideal arch. AM
J 0RTIJOD 1974;65:270-89.
2. Burstone CJ, Koenig HA. Force systems from an ideal arch-
large deflection considerations [in press].
3. Koenig HA, Burstone CJ. Analysis of generalized curved beams
for orthodontic application. I Biomech 1974;7:429-35.
4. Defranco J, Koenig H, Burstone CJ. Three-dimensional large
displacement analysis of orthodontic appliances. J Biomech
I976;9:793-801.
Reprint requests to:
Dr. Charles J. Burstone
University of Connecticut Health Center
School of Dental Medicine
Farmington, CT 06032-9984