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Introduction
Labial bows are the active components of the removable orthodontic
appliances.
They are used mainly for overjet reduction.
It also act as an auxiliary aid for providing anterior retention
Wide variety1of labial bows are available for use in
orthodontics
Labial bows are used in both upper and lower arches
Basic design of Labial bow

It consists of 3 parts , namely:

1. Horizontal bow portion

2. Vertical loops
3. Retentive Arms
Indications

• Closure of spaces mesial to canines.

• Minor overjet reduction.
• A component of retention appliance.
• Minor incisor alignment.
• Incorporated with other springs for
retention.
s

Soldered
labial bow Rickett’s
Short labial bow retention bow
Commonly used
Labial bows
Long labial Fitted labial
bow bow

Split labial High labial bow

bow with apron springs

Mill’s Robert’s retractor

Reverse loop
retrator labial bow
 SHORT LABIAL BOW

• labial bow is constructed in such a way that the horizontal labial portion is adopted to
the labial surface of anterior teeth and the bow contacts the labial surface of most
prominent anterior teeth and extends from canine to canine.

• Horizontal arm ends in two vertical U shaped loops on either side.

• The U loops should be formed 2mm past the gingival margins and should also be taken

to keep it away from the frenal or muscle attachments.

 Difference between Retraction and Retention labial bow
RETRACTION SHORT LABIAL RETENTION SHORT LABIAL
•ShortBOW
labial bows are made from 0.6 mm BOW
•Short labial bows are made from 0.7mm for
round Stainless steel wire for retraction. retention.
•In retraction labial loop the anterior loop •In retentive labial bow the anterior
Starts between the lateral incisor and canine. limb starts at the middle third of canine.

•The distal vertical arms of the U loop

•The distal vertical arms of the U loop
extend as retentive arm between
extend as retentive arm between
the canine and first Premolar before getting
the canine and first Premolar before
embedded in the acrlic base plate.
getting embedded in the acrlic base plate.
•labial bow remains at the junction of •If used for retention, the labial bow
middle and incisal third of labial surface should be adapted in the middle third.
of anterior teeth if used for retraction.
DISADVANTAGES.

• Active part is very rigid.

• The range of action is minimum.
• Labial bow exerts high pressure over a small range.
• Buccal drift of canine happens sometimes.

Idowu Koyenikan

RETRACTION SHORT LABIAL RETENTION SHORT LABIAL

BOW BOW
 LONG LABIAL BOW

• Long labial bow is similar to that of short labial bow except it extends from one first
premolar to opposite first premolar.

• Distal arm of U loop extends between two premolars and ends as the retentive arm in
acrylic plate.

• It can be used as an active and retentive component of removable appliance.

• It can be used in active or passive mode.
 LONG LABIAL BOW

• Active labial bow- used to close the minor anterior spaces, overjet reduction
• It is also used to close spaces distal to canine.

• It can be used as guidance wire during canine retraction using palatal retractor.

• Long labial bow also serves as a retainer after the end of fixed orthodontic treatment,
particularly in first premolar extraction cases.
SHORT LABIAL BOW

LONG LABIAL BOW

SPLIT LABIAL BOW

• There are two types,

• 1. Used for retraction of incisors
• 2.Used for closure of median diastema.
• Both types are made from 0.7mm or 21gauge stainless steel wire.
 SPLIT LABIAL BOW USED FOR RETRACTION

• Split labial bow was designed by Bass and Robinson.

• One of the main drawbacks of labial bow is its rigidity.

• The flexibility of the labial bow can be increased by dividing

the labial bow so that there are two buccal arms.

• This split labial bow is reasonably effective for retraction of

incisors but care must be taken during adjustment to
preserve the correct curve and not to flatten off the arch
anteriorly.
 SPLIT LABIAL BOW USED FOR RETRACTION

• This is achieved by adjusting the bow at the

‘U’ loops, rather than at the horizontal arms.

• Rotations or minor individual tooth movements are difficult to

control with a split bow.
SPLIT LABIAL BOW FOR MEDIAN DIASTEMA CLOSURE

• In this type, the free ends of the labial bow crossover

• each other.
• The arms should be parallel to each other.
The free end of one bow crosses the opposite central
incisors and is hooked on to the distal aspect of the
central incisor.
SPLIT LABIAL BOW FOR MEDIAN DIASTEMA CLOSURE

• In the same way, opposite side bow is fabricated.

• Drawback of this is it is useful only
for closure of median diastema and not effective in
overjet correction.
• Activation is by closure of the loop
by 1 mm.
 REVERSE LABIAL BOW

• This is also called reverse loop labial bow and is made up of 0.7 mm of SS wire extending
from one canine to other caine at the middle third of labial surfaces.

• As a longer span of wire is incorporated the bow exhibit increased flexibility.

• The activation of labial bow is done in two steps

• 1. The U loops is opened- This results in lowering of the labial bow in the incisal region.

2. A compensatory bend is the made at the base of the U loop to maintain proper level of the bow.
 REVERSE LABIAL BOW

• In short reverse labial bow, the retentive arm is in between the canines and lateral incisor

• In case of long reverse labial bow, the retentive arm is in between two premolars.

• This design relatively increases the horizontal portion of the bow and as a result of a longer
span of wire

• the bow exhibit increased flexibility.

 FITTED LABIAL BOW

• The bow is adapted to the contours of the labial surface of individual teeth

• The labial bow is placed at the middle thirds

• The U Loop is usually smaller compared to conventional labial bows.

• This offers good retention of proclined upper incisors.

 FITTED LABIAL BOW

• A 0.7mm 21gauge stainless steel wire is used.

• Adjustments can be made for proper fit of the appliance.

• It cannot be used for any active movements

• They are used as retainer at the completion of fixed orthodontic therapy.

 ROBERTS RETRACTOR

• It was designed by GH ROBERT.

• It is a flexible bow made of 0.5mm diameter or 23gauge stainless steel wire.

• It is used for retraction of 4 incisors and when the overjet is greater than 4mm.

• Roberts retractor consists of 2 sleeved canine retractors joined together forming an apron
spring.

• The length of the bow should be long enough to be able to control the lateral incisor.
 ROBERTS RETRACTOR

• The coil is placed at the point of the emergence of the wire from the sleeve and the size of
the coil should be minimum of 3mm.

• A helix of about 3mm diameter is incorporated in a V shaped loop which tends to increase
the wire length and flexibility.

• It is used in treating severe anterior proclination with overjet above 4mm and especially in
adult patients and in peridontally compromised teeth where very light forces are required.
FITTED LABIAL BOW

ROBERTS RETRACTOR
PARTS OF ROBERTS RETRACTOR

• 1.Horizontal bow portion

• 2.Vertical arm
• 3. Coil
• 4.Retentive arm reinforced with sleeve.

HORIZONTAL BOW PORTION

• Adapted to the labial surface of incisors.
• Instead of a regular loop, it incorporates a 3mm internal diameter helix at the base of the
loop mesial to the canine.

VERTICAL ARM
• Anterior vertical arm extends distal to the lateral incisor and should be parallel to the root
of canine.
• The distal vertical arm continues as retentive arm between canine and first premolar.
COIL

• Activation is done by closing the coil at the anterior vertical limb so that the
horizontal portion is displaced palatally.

DISADVANTAGES
• Not well tolerated by the patients and cannot be given in lower arch as the sulcus is
shallow.
 MILLS RETRACTOR

• Also termed as extended labial bow

• Made of 0.7mm or 21 gauge hard stainless steel wires
• It is an alternative for Robert's retractor
• It has got loops and these loops consist of horizontal and vertical compartment.

USES:-

1.Reduction of large overjet

2.Alignment of irregular CI
3.Flexible because this incorporates extensive loops
DISADVANTAGES

1.less comfortable
2.complex design
3.More prone to distortion during use, therefore needs regular follow
ups.

If patient continously use distorted bow, abnormal forces may be

generated
 HIGH LABIALBOW WITH APRON SPRINGS

• It consist of a heavy stainless steel wire of 0.9mm thickness that extends into buccal
vestibule relieved in the areas of labial and buccal frenum.

• Apron spring made of 0.4mm wire is attached to high labial bow and both ends are soldered
to the wire.

• Apron spring can be designed for retraction of 1 or more teeth.

• This type of labial bow is highly flexible and thus used in cases of large overjet.
HIGH LABIALBOW WITH APRON SPRINGS

• As very light forces are generated they can be used in adult patients and periodontally
involved teeth.

• Apron spring is the active component that is activated by bending it towards the teeth.

• As it is highly flexible activation of uptp 3mm at a time can be done.

• It approaches the tooth from gingival side.

• Its range of action is long and force decay is less.

DISADVANTAGES

• Construction is difficult
• Needs soldering
• May cause soft tissue injury
 REFERENCE
1.TEXTBOOK OF ORTHODONTICS- SRIDHAR
PREMKUMAR
2.ORTHODONTICS THE ART AND SCIENCE- S I
BHALAJHI
3.TEXTBOOK OF ORTHODONTICS- SANDEEP
GOYAL
4.TEXTBOOK OF ORTHODONTICS- S GOWRI
SANKAR