DEPARTMENT OF ORTHODONTICS

& DENTOFACIAL ORTHOPEDICS

SRI AUROBINDO COLLEGE
OF DENTISTRY

FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
IN ORTHODONTICS

Presented By:
SANIA KHAN
PG Third Year 1
 CONTENTS:
• Introduction
• History
• Characteristics of force system
• Load deflection rate
• Types of loops in fixed appliance
• Types of loops in removable appliance
• Summary

2
 INTRODUCTION

• The straight wire appliance was the first orthodontic mechanism

that was based on sliding mechanics which creates friction at the
interface & resists the movement .

• Consequently , orthodontists have to apply more force to overcome

the frictional force to achieve the desirable result, due to which
there is more patient discomfort and pain and also increases.

3
• Friction in clinical orthodontics now is receiving
much attention because orthodontic companies have
decided that low friction is good and are using that
concept to market their self-ligating brackets.

Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:442-7)

4
 WHAT IS FRICTION ?
• Friction is a force that retards or resists the relative motion of two
objects in contact.
• The direction of friction is tangential to the common boundary of the
two surfaces in contact.
• As two surfaces in contact slide against each other, two components of
total force arise:
 The frictional force component (F) and
 The normal force component (N)

Friction: An Overview, Seminars in Orthodontics, Vol 9, No 4 (December), 2003: pp 218-

5
222
6
 • There are two types of FF:
 Static Friction (SF)
 Kinetic Friction (KF)

 Static Friction is the smallest force needed to initiate a

movement between two solid bodies that were static in
relation to each other.

 Kinetic friction is the force that resists against the

sliding movement of a solid object against another
at a constant speed.

Pacheco MR, Jansen WC, Oliveira DD. The role of friction in orthodontics. Dental Press J
Orthod. 2012 Mar-Apr;17(2):170-7. 7
• (Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am 8
J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:442-7)
• As the tooth moves in the direction of the applied force,
kinetic friction occurs between the bracket and archwire.

• In orthodontics, a tooth undergoing a sliding movement along

an archwire goes through many tipping and uprighting cycles,
moving in small increments. Therefore, orthodontic space
closure depends more on static friction than on kinetic friction.

Friction in orthodontics:J Pharm Bioallied Sci.2015 Aug; 7(Suppl 2): S334–S338

9
• All surfaces are more or less irregular, and the physical
explanation of friction is in terms of the true area of contact,
which is determined by asperities and the force with which the
surfaces are forced together.

10
(Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am J Orthod 11
Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:442-7)
• Kusy and Whitley 3 divided resistance to sliding (RS) into 3
components:

• (1) Friction, static or kinetic (FR),

 due to contact of the wire with bracket surfaces;

(Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am

J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:442-7) 12
13
• (2) Binding (BI),
 When the tooth tips or the wire flexes so that there is contact
between the wire and the corners of the bracket
 (when a force is applied to a bracket to move a tooth, the
tooth tips in the direction of the force until the wire contacts
the corners of the bracket, and binding occurs)

(Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am J Orthod

14
Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:442-7)
• (Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am J Orthod Dentofacial
Orthop 2009;135:442-7) 15
16
• “Binding does not appear to be affected by the ligation
method’’; ie, binding is similar with conventional and self-
ligating brackets.

17
 (3) Notching (NO)

 When permanent deformation of the wire occurs at the wire-

bracket corner interface.

 This often occurs under clinical conditions Tooth movement

stops when a notched wire catches on the bracket corner and
resumes only when the notch is released.

(Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am J Orthod

Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:442-7) 18
19
• The contributions of friction, binding, and notching to
resistance to sliding can be understood best by considering the
3 stages in the active phase of moving teeth:

1. The first is the early stage of sliding as the tooth tips and
contact of the wire with the corner of the bracket begins to
occur; both friction and binding contribute to resistance to
sliding: RS = FR + BI.

(Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am J Orthod Dentofacial

Orthop 2009;135:442-7)
20
• In stage 2, the contact angle increases between the bracket and
the wire, when binding is the major source of resistance and
friction becomes inconsequential: RS = BI.

• In stage 3, if the contact angle becomes steep enough,

notching of the wire occurs, and both friction and binding
become negligible: RS = NO

(Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am J

Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:442-7) 21
• Braun et al studied resistance to sliding using different wire
sizes, different ligation methods, and different angles
(binding).

• They concluded that ‘‘frictional resistance was effectively

reduced to zero each time minute relative movements occurred
at the bracket/ wire interfaces. Because binding and notching
were temporarily released.

(Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am J Orthod

Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:442-7) 22
• Swartz stated that the
 ‘‘simplification of complex biomechanical interactions that
inevitably occur in steady state laboratory testing may have
resulted in an over-estimation of the clinical significance of
friction.’’
 Clinical studies support the view that resistance to sliding has
little to do with friction and, instead, is largely a binding-and
release phenomenon that is about the same with conventional
and self-ligating brackets.

(Friction and resistance to sliding in orthodontics: A critical review(Am J Orthod

Dentofacial Orthop 2009;135:442-7) 23
• With orthodontic mechanotherapy, a biologic tissue response
with resultant tooth movement will occur only when the
applied forces adequately overcome the friction at the bracket-
wire interface.

• Therefore orthodontists need to have a quantitative assessment

of the frictional forces encountered to achieve precise force
levels to overcome friction and to obtain an optimal biologic
response for efficient tooth movement.

Friction: An Overview, Seminars in Orthodontics, Vol 9, No 4 (December), 2003: pp 218-

24
222
 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
• The recent trend in orthodontic practice is to use “straight” arch
wires, especially since the introduction of highly elastic and super
elastic alloy.
• However, bending orthodontic loops is still an essential part of
orthodontics.
• Advances in the field of biomechanics have shown that in certain
situations a loop may be superior to a straight wire because it
delivers the appropriate force system for efficient tooth movement
in the required direction.

25
 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS

As early as 1915 (in first issue of I.J.O), Ray.D.Robinson

demonstrated about Efficiency of loop arch wire

Dr.Robert H.W Strang (1933) pioneered the loop design for

edgewise mechanics

On the other hand Dr.P.R.Begg (1952) advocated their usage

in the initial phase of Begg treatment

26
 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS

With advancement in techniques of scientific testing and

better understanding of physiological principles of tooth
movement improvisation of loop design continued through
60’s and 70’s

Eminent orthodontist like Dr.Joseph Jarabak,Dr.Charles

Burstone, Dr.Robert Ricketts must be credited for their single
contributions

27
FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
CENTER OF MASS
Each body has point in its mass
Which we call center of mass in
Gravity-free environment.

CENTER OF GRAVITY

In an environment where
Gravity is present
 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS

FORCE-It is defined as “An act upon a body that changes or tends

to change the state of rest or the motion of that body”.
by :R.J NIKOLAI
CENTER OF ROTATION

 Line drawn through long axis

of initial and final tooth movement
where it meets is called center of
rotation
 It can be at 1.At CR
2.Apical to CR
3.At root apex
4.At infinity
 Tooth movement will depend on
the location of center of rotation
 CENTER OF RESISTANCE
Depends on alveolar bone
support,root length,no. of roots.
It is at the approximate mid point
of embedded portion of root.

POINT OF FORCE APPLICATION

 MOMENT
Defined as the rotational tendency when force is
applied away from the center of resistance
A force acting at a distance
Mathematically given as M = f x d
Where M is the moment F is the force
And D is the perpendicular distance of the line
of action to the center of resistance
 Direction of a moment

The direction of the moment of a force can be determined

by continuing the line of action around the center of
resistance towards the point of origin.
COUPLE-It is two parallel
forces of equal magnitude
acting in opposite direction
and separated by a distance.

MOMENT OF COUPLE
It is the product of one of
the force times the distance
between two forces.
C:R FOR OF ANTERIOR & POSTERIOR
SEGMENT
 What is friction mechanics?
•Tooth is retracted or slides through the arch wire.
• It is used for both individual canine and enmasse
Retraction.
• Friction is present due to surface irregularities of
arch wire and bracket.
Various methods used
1. Elastic modules with ligature wire
2. Elastomeric chains Stainless steel
3. Closed coil springs Niti
Co-cr-ni alloys
4. J hook head gear
5. Mulligan V bend sliding mechanics
6. Employing tip-Edge brackets on canines.

37
Disadvantages of sliding mechanics
1. It gives variable force.
2. E-chain absorbs water and saliva when exposed
to oral environment causing degradation of force
by 50%-70% by 1st day
3. Excess Stretching of E-chain causes breakdown
of internal bond leading permanent deformation.
4. Permanent staining of E-chain.
5.Dependent on patient cooperation in case of
elastic bands
6.Due to friction and binding between bracket and
arch wire applied force should be higher than the
required optimum force because of decay in force.
Due to all these problems in friction or sliding
mechanics frictionless mechanics stands in
better position for retraction ,as monitoring of
optimum force can be done effectively and it is
active for a longer duration of time.
 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS

• In orthodontics two approaches can be used to apply the

force systems necessary to produce tooth movement.

• The first approach involves supplying the appropriate

moments to the teeth via a continuous arch wire that passes
through orthodontic brackets.

40
DISADVANTAGES:

1.As the tooth moves, the applied force decreases . The applied
moment can increase or decrease, dependent on the arch wire
configuration. Therefore, the M/F changes as the tooth moves.

2. Wire-bracket friction is a variable factor as the moving teeth

displace along the arch wire with this approach, making it
difficult to accurately predict M/F.

41
• The second approach involves bending arch wire loops of various
configurations.

• This approach is friction-free; when activated, the arch wire loops

distort from their original configuration; as the tooth (or teeth) moves,
the loop gradually returns to its undistorted (preactivated) position,
delivering the energy stored at the time of activation.

• Groups of teeth can therefore be moved with more accurately defined

force systems for more precise anchorage control to achieve treatment
42
goals more readily than methods in which friction plays a role.
 What is frictionless mechanics?

•Force generated intrinsically by arch wire.

•By in cooperating loops in arch wire.

•Energy is stored in loops and release it in slow
and continuous fashion.
•There is no friction between archwire and
bracket.
Extraction space closure is a particularly interesting
aspect of orthodontic treatment with respect to principles
of biomechanics, due to large movement distance
involved.
Orthodontic space closure must be individually tailored
based on diagnosis and treatment plan.
Two Approaches for Space Closure

Two • Step 1 : single canine

retraction
step • Step II : en-masse
retraction retraction of 4 incisors

One step • En-masse retraction of 6

retraction anterior teeth.
 LOOP

“A branch of anything that returns to the main part”

46
 HISTORY
• In 1956, Begg demonstrated control of rotation, space
opening and space closure through the formation of vertical
loops in a single arch.
• He also produced torquing pressures on the anterior segment
by contouring these loops to press against the gingival area of
the teeth.
• STONER incorporated various loops in edgewise mechanism
in 1960
47
 Why a loop ?
• By giving a loop ,that will increase the length of the
wire , there by decreasing the force value and
increasing the flexibility.
• To lower the load/deflection rate by addition of
more wire.
• Pre-activation bends can be placed in loops to
obtain higher moment, & to achieve frictionless
tooth movement.
• To avoid the inconsistency of the force system
delivered by a straight wire. The major reason for
putting in a loop is to control the force system to the
teeth on either side of the loop.

• To increase the range of activation, to deflect the wire

further without permanent deformation.

49
 Ideal properties of a loop:
• The retraction loop should have an optimum size to fit
into the vestibule causing no discomfort to the patient
and must be easy to fabricate.
• For a translatory tooth movement, retraction loop
should provide sufficiently high moment-to-force (M/F)
ratio and low force to deflection (F/D) rate to maintain
optimum force levels for a longer duration of time.
 Criteria for selection of loop design

1. Loop position

2. Loop pre-activation

3. Loop design
 Loop position
• Often overlooked – position of loops in inter-
bracket space.
• Places immediately distal to canine or lateral
incisors(depending upon type of retraction)
 T-LOOP
• Loop placement between the attachments:

• TYPES OF ANCHORAGE AND T-LOOP

Burstone dictated three types of anchoring needs:

 Type A: Posterior region needs to remain in position;
 Type B:Space closure of equal magnitude in the anterior and
posterior regions;
 Type C: Posterior protraction is necessary.
 T-LOOP

• T Loop for type A anchorage:

 For this type of space closure, the T-loop is positioned closer

to the posterior attachment or the molar tube to increase the
posterior M/F ratio (beta M/F ratio) relative to the anterior
M/F ratio. (alpha M/F ration).
 T-LOOP

 Because the beta moment is greater than the alpha moment, a

vertical intrusive force acts on the anterior segment.
 This intrusive force may exaggerate the tipping tendency and
the steepening of the anterior occlusal plane.
 Increased beta moment may steepen the posterior occlusal
plane, which can be controlled with the use of high pull HG.
 T-LOOP

Group A anchorage

•
T-LOOP
 T-LOOP
• T Loop for type B anchorage:

 Group B is the simplest form of space closure. The

requirements for space closure include equal translation of
anterior and post segments into the extraction space.
 Equal and opposite moments and forces are indicated.
 A T-loop spring centered between the anterior (canine) and
posterior (molar) attachments produces this force system.
 T-LOOP
 The center position of the spring can be found by :
 
 Distance = Interbracket distance-Activation/2
 
 Where distance = the length of the anterior and posterior arms
(distance from the center of the T-loop to either the anterior or
posterior tubes)
 Interbracket distance = the distance between the molar and
canine brackets
 Activation = the mm of activation of the spring (usually 6
mm)
 T-LOOP

 
T-LOOP
 T-LOOP

• T Loop for type C anchorage:

 Posterior protraction is the most difficult space closure
procedure.
 The alpha moment is increased relative to the beta (post)
moment.
 The primary side effect is extrusive force acting on the
anterior teeth – thus deepening the overbite.
 T-LOOP

 In Group C space closure with a segmented T-loop, the spring

is positioned closer to the anterior segment.
 Space closure can be expected to proceed with mesial tipping
of the buccal segment. To reduce the horizontal forces, an
activation of 4 mm is done.(Recommended)
 Simultaneously cl-III elastics and protraction HG can be used
to augment the post protraction.
T-LOOP
 T-LOOP
• Separate canine and incisor retraction:

 Some times because of anterior crowding or a midline

discrepancy, space must be made available through separate
canine retraction. The same treatment decisions with regard to
retraction and anchorage requirements must be made as are
made for enmasse retraction.
 Loop pre-activation
• When a loop is activated , the anterior and
posterior portion of the arch wire deflect away
from a parallel orientation.
• 2nd or 3rd order couple moment is felt by anterior
and posterior teeth  help in root movement.
• Activation moments.
 T-LOOP

• Two important considerations in the design and use of "T"

springs is the :

1.Preactivation spring geometry.

2.Loop placement (centricity) between the attachments.
 T-LOOP
• Preactivation of T- Loop:
 The main issue to be considered when adding pre- activation
is the neutral position.
 The neutral position is the position of the loop where only
moments are used to insert the loop on the auxiliary tubes,
i.e., there is no horizontal force; so when the loop is closed,
the vertical legs practically abut.
 T-LOOP
Preactivation of T- Loop
 T-LOOP

Vertical arms intersect Neutral position

 T-LOOP
• Gable bends:
 T-LOOP
• Concentrated bends:
 T-LOOP
• Curvature Bends:
BIOMECHANICS FOR FRICTIONLESS
MECHANICS

The teeth in an arch wire will invariably assumes the

passive position of the arch wire.

When we place bend in the middle of the wire and engage

into bracket two equal and opposite moments are produced.
When offset bend is placed differential force is produced.

This same principles apply in FRICTIONLESS mechanics

where instead of bend loop is placed in the wire.
•Bends placed on the mesial and distal legs of loop are
called as ALPHA and BETA respectively.

DISTAL LEG MESIAL LEG

•These bends produce ALPHA and BETA moments when

wire is placed into bracket.
Activating the loops produces the forces in frictionless
mechanics.
Pulling the distal end of the arch wire through molar tube
and cinching it back does this.

According to CHARLES BURSTONE moment to force

ratio for translation is about 10:1,a regular 10mm high
vertical loop offers a M:F ratio of only 3:1 when it is
activated by 1mm.
•To get M:F ratio of 10:1 activation should be reduced
to .2mm,but force level is not sufficient for retraction.

• In order to increase moment,height can be increased but

it has limitation as available space in the vestibule.
•The most effective way to increase M:F ratio is placing
PRE ACTIVATION BENDS OR GABLE Bends.

• These bends can be placed within the loops or where

loop meets the arch wire.
•As we try to engage the wire into bracket we pull the
horizontal arm of the loop down producing a moment
called the activation moment and the loop is said to be in
NEUTRAL POSITION.
Thus with this added moment M:F ratio of loop is
increased.

The ALPHA MOMENT produces distal root movement

of anterior teeth,while the BETA MOMENT produces
mesial root movement of posterior teeth.

If ALPHA = BETA NO VERTICAL FORCE

If ALPHA not BETA ,VERTICAL FORCE
If BETA moment is >ALPHA posterior anchorage
is enhanced by the mesial root movement of posterior teeth
and net extrusive effect on posteriors
and intrusive force on anterior teeth.

If ALPHA moment is > BETA anchorage of anterior

segment is increased by distal root movement and net
extrusive effect on anterior teeth and intrusive effect on
posterior.

The M:F ratio increases as spring gets deactivated.

Spring should not be activated too frequently
MOMENT TO FORCE RATIO FOR
VARIOUS TOOTH MOVEMENTS
M/F 5:1 Uncontrolled tipping

M/F 8:1 Controlled tipping

M/F 10 : 1 Translation

M/F >10 : 1 Root movement

 FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE M:F RATIO

 Height of the loop

 Diameter of the loop
 Apical length of the wire
 Placement of the loop
 Helix incorporation
 Angulations of loop legs
 Horizontal loop length
 ANCHORAGE

The nature and degree of resistance to displacement

offered by an anatomic unit when used for the purpose of
effecting tooth movement”
By: T.M.Graber

“Amount of movement of the posterior teeth to close the

extraction space in order to achieve selected treatment
goal” By: Ravindra Nanda
 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
• ANCHORAGE CLASSIFICATION
• According to Ravindra Nanda:

GROUP A
GROUP B
GROUP C

Biomechanics in clinical orthodontics -ravindra nanda 86

 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
• Group A Anchorage:

Biomechanics in clinical orthodontics -ravindra nanda 87

 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
• Group B Anchorage:

Biomechanics in clinical orthodontics -ravindra nanda 88

 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
• Group C Anchorage:

Biomechanics in clinical orthodontics -ravindra nanda 89

 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
• FACTORS DETERMINING THE TOOTH MOVEMENT
REQUIRED DURING SPACE CLOSURE
 AMOUNT OF CROWDING
• -Extractions are Usually done to relive crowding

• -Anchorage control becomes very crucial

• -Maintaining anchorage while creating space

• -For decrowding is important

Biomechanics in clinical orthodontics -ravindra nanda 90

 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
 ANCHORAGE:

• Anchorage classification during treatment planning is very important

for desired results. various methods like (headgear,lip-bumper,lingual-
arch,trans palatal arch e.t.c)

 AXIAL INCLINATION:

• Inclination of canine and incisor are particularly important.

• When same force and moment applied to a tooth or a group of teeth

with different axial inclination will result in different type of tooth
movement.
91
Biomechanics in clinical orthodontics -ravindra nanda
 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
• For Example in case of unfavorable positioned

canine(root mesial crown distal)

 MIDLINE DISCREPANCIES AND LEFT OR

RIGHT ASYMMETRIES

• These problems should corrected as early as possible.

• Asymmetric forces could result in unilateral vertical.

• Forces causing asymmetric anchorage loss.

92
Biomechanics in clinical orthodontics -ravindra nanda
 FRICTIONLESS MECHANICS
 VERTICAL DIMENSION

• Attention should be given to vertical forces during

space closure .
• Undesirable vertical extrusive forces may result in
increased lower facial height,increased inter labial
gap,excessive gingival display

93
Biomechanics in clinical orthodontics -ravindra nanda
 RETRACTION

ENMASSE STAGED

FRICTIONLESS SLIDING STAGE 1 STAGE 2

TIP AND UPRIGHT CANINE ANTERIORS

FRICTIONLESS SLIDING SLIDING

SIMULTANEOUS
INTRUSION FRICTIONLESS
AND RETRACTION
Mechanism of action of retraction

Individual
Canine
retraction

Cl-3 elastic
(friction)

Key hole loop

(frictionless)
REVIEW OF CONTEMPORARY
ARCHWIRES/A.O/1997/R.P.KUSY
 SPACE CLOSING LOOPS
Closing loop arch wires should be fabricated
from rectangular wire to prevent wire from rolling
in the bracket slot
The performance of the loop,from the
perspective
of engineering theory,is determined by 4 major
characteristics
1. Spring properties
2. Moment it generates
3. Its location
4. Additional design principle
1. SPRING PROPERTIES
 It is determined almost totally by the
A. wire material
B. size of the wire
C. distance between point of attachment

 Changing the size of the wire produce

largest change in its characteristics,but the
amount of wire incorporated in the loop is
also important
FROM
WILLIAM.R.PROFFIT
II edition
2.Moment it generates
To close an extraction space while
producing bodily tooth movement closing
loop must generate not only closing force
but also approximate MOMENT
 To generate a moment limits the amount of
wire that can be incorporated into it,which will
make it more springier and it will unable to
generate necessary MOMENT

MOMENT
3.Its location
Its location is very important for its
performance in closing space.

As gable bends are incorporated,the

closing loops functions as the V bend in
the arch wire.effect of V bend is very
sensitive to its location
There can be 3 locations of V bend
1.Equal distance
2.Closure to anterior
3.Closure to Posterior
 4.Additional design principle

FAIL SAFE this means that ,although a

reasonable range of action is desired
from each activation tooth movement
should stop after that.If patient does not
come for scheduled appointment
 Design should be as simple as possible

During activation of loop it is

considered more effective when it is
closed rather than opened
 “FOUR D'S" OF FORCE CONTROL
Effective force control implies control of the
• degree of force
• the distribution of force
• the direction of force
• the duration of force

112
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FORCE SYSTEM

• For efficient clinical use of loops following

characteristics of the force system should be kept in
mind. They are
• (1) force magnitudes and direction,
• (2) force constancy (low load-deflection rates),
• (3) proper moment-to-force ratios, producing the
desired centers of rotation, and
• (4) force constancy, that is, control over the change in
moment-to-force ratio with respect to deflection.
113
 MECHANICAL MEANS OF DEVELOPING
FORCE
Orthodontic forces may be divided into primary and
secondary.
• Primary forces are developed in the arch wire and
depend on the resiliency or movement of the arch wire.
• Secondary forces are those derived from such auxiliary
attachments as finger springs, coil springs, rubber
bands,headgear, and other devices.
• The resiliency of a semirigid or so-called heavy arch
wire, as well as the lighter-gauge wires, may be
increased by incorporating various loop designs vices.
114
• The activity of a loop is dependent upon two
types of force built up in the loop.
• One is the spring of the legs themselves which
act as independent levers and may be activated
in any direction.
• Second is the activity developed in the curvature
at the apex of the loop.
• A loop may act as a rigid lever, taking a deflection
at the apex, or it may act as an independent
spring, depending upon the resiliency of the wire
in the loop to give it activity.
• Usually, the action of any loop will depend upon
a combination of the two 115
 General rules of loop

• 1. Any loop will reduce force and increase range.

• 2. Any loop may be contoured “open” or “closed.”
• 3. Loops are most efficiently activated through compression of
the legs.
• 4. The force of any loop may be reduced by coiling the wire at
the apex one or more times.
• 5. The force reduction effected by contouring most loops will
be in direct proportion to the increase in the amount of wire
between the brackets.
• Decreases the load deflection rate 116
117
 LOAD DEFLECTION RATE
• By definition the load deflection rate gives
the force produced per unit activation
• For active members a low load-deflection
rate is desirable for two important reasons:
• (1) a mechanism with a low load deflection
rate maintains a more desirable stress level
in the PDL because the force on a tooth
does not radically change magnitude every
time the tooth has been displaced;
118
• (2) a member with a low load-deflection rate offers
greater accuracy in controlling force magnitude.
• For example, if a high load-deflection spring is used
(e.g., an edgewise vertical loop), the load-deflection
rate might be 1000 g/mm; this means that an error
in adjustment of 1 mm could produce an error in
force value of approximately 1000 g. However, if a
low load deflection spring is used, such as one with a
rate of 10 g/mm, an error of 1 mm in activation
affects the force value by only10 g. 119
LOAD DEFLECTION RATE

120
 Types of loop
1. Vertical loop
2. Omega loop
3. Horizontal loop
4. Horizontal T loop
5. Box loop
6. Torquing loop
7. Gjessing Spring
8. Opus loop
9. K-loop
10.Ricketts loop 121
 Vertical Loop
• 1. .-The single vertical loop may be either an open loop
or a closed loop
• The single open vertical loop has its maximum
efficiency when it is used to open space . In such cases
the arch wire is fixed to the brackets, the loop is
activated by compressing the legs, and as the loop
assumes its original position the teeth move apart.

122
123
124
• The single open vertical loop also may be used
to rotate a tooth . By contouring a vertical loop
in front of the lingually displaced area of the
rotated tooth, the operator can obtain
immediate bracket engagement.
• The increased resiliency created by deflection
of the loop automatically creates a force of
greater duration that works to rotate the tooth
toward its desired position. 125
• The single closed vertical loop is used
primarily to close space
• It is activated by compressing the legs,
and as the loop expends its force it draws
the horizontal extensions of the arch wire
together and moves the attached teeth
with them.

126
Siatkowski:Continuous arch wire closing loop design,optimisation and
127
verification .part I,American journal of orthodontics & dentofacial orthopedics
1997;112:393-402
 Double Vertical Loop
The double vertical loop is contoured on either side of a
given tooth, and it has two effective uses.
• One is to move a labially or lingually displaced tooth
into line through the labiolingual spring quality
inherent in the horizontal section between the two
loops .
• The other is to rotate a tooth. The loops are so
contoured as to produce an expansion on one side of
the tooth and a contraction on the other side, causing
a reciprocal rotational activity on the brackets . 128
129
 GABLE ANGLE
• The gable angle is bent in such a way that the
perpendicular to the long axis of the loop portion of
each spring formed equal angles with the mesial and
distal horizontal legs of the spring. For example,
• a sectional with a 0 degree gable angle had the mesial
and distal legs of wire in line and the long axis of the
loop portion perpendicular to this line. For a 30
degree gable angle, the mesial and distal legs each
formed 15 degree angles within a mutual plane to a
perpendicular to the long axis of the loop portion. 130
GABLE ANGLE

131
 IMPORTANCE OF GABLE BEND

• most closing loops have inherent M/F of 4-5 mm or less. To

achieve net translation (M/F 10mm), orthodontists have had to add
residual moments to the closing loop arch wire with angulation
bends (gable bends) anterior and posterior to the loop
• Adding these residual moments has several disadvantages:
• 1. The teeth must cycle through controlled tipping to translation to
root movement to achieve net translation
• 2. The correct residual moments are difficult to achieve precisely in
linear materials.
• 3. The resulting ever-changing PDL stress distributions may not
yield the most rapid, least traumatic method of space closure. 132
 Force-activation curves comparing loop configuration and gable
angle (0.016 by
0.016 inch blue Elgiloy).

133

Chaconas:effects of wire size,loop configuration,and gabling on canine retraction

springs :Am.J.orthod 1974 ;65;58-66
 Force-activation curves comparing wire size
and gable angle (closed vertical loop).

134
Chaconas:effects of wire size,loop configuration,and gabling on
canine retraction springs :Am.J.orthod 1974 ;65;58-66
 Disadvantages of vertical loop
• While this is easy to fabricate, this design delivers very
high forces (in the order of 1000 g or more) when
activated by only 2 or 3 mm. These force values may
cause a good deal of discomfort to the patient and will
tend to "overpower" the moments, resulting in loss of
anchorage and root controL
• "Dumping" of the teeth toward the extraction site may be
a common side effect. associated with small activations,
• rapid force decay, and
• intermittent force delivery
135
 “S” Loop
• The “S” loop is simply a modification of an open
• or closed vertical loop. It develops similar force
activity without the undcsirable occlusal or gingival
thrusts sometimes exhibited by the vertical loop.

136
 Omega Loop
-The omega loop is a variation of the open vertical loop. It is shaped like the Greek
letter for which it, was named. It tends to distribute stresses more evenly through
the curvature of the loop instead of concentrating the stresses at the apex, which
may lead to breakage. It is used to give the last tooth in the arch a bodily root
thrust.

137
 Horizontal Loop
.-The horizontal loop’s principal value is its reduction of force
in the vertical plane or occlusogingival direction,
permitting immediate bracket engagement in severely
positioned teeth which the operator may want to elevate
or depress.
• It is very effective because of its efficiency in opening the
bite and depressing or elevating the anterior or posterior
segment .
• It permits immediate bracket engagement without
excessive force on severely displaced groups of teeth or
individual teeth. 138
139
 Double Horizontal Loop
• -The double horizontal loop is most efficient
when working on an individual tooth above or
below the line of occlusion.
• Considerable deflection can be obtained in the
arch wire with immediate bracket engagement
and continuous activity to draw a tooth into line.
• It can be activated in an occlusogingival and
labiolingual plane but not in the
• mesiodistal plane. 140
141
 Horizontal “T” Loop
• The horizontal “T” loop, named for its shape, is
employed to get double the force reduction
available in a single horizontal loop.
• This loop eliminates the undesirable occlusal or
gingival deflection of the arch wire when
activated, which may produce undesirable
tipping.
• The “T” loop will elevate or depress in a true
vertical plane 142
143
 Three important criteria in the use of t- loops are:
(I) loop position;
(2) loop preactivation or gabling; and
(3) loop design.

• Loop Position
• An often overlooked but important aspect of closing loops
is the position of the loop within the interbracket space.
when retracting anterior teeth, continuous closing loops
are typically placed immediately distal to the lateral
incisors or canines . The rationale for placing the loops
adjacent to the teeth anterior to the extraction space is
that it allows for repeated activation of the loop as the
space closes.
• a change in the location of the loop can augment or
reduce the posterior anchorage needed for a given patient
144
145
146
147
 Force System of Loop Activation
. When an activate T loop is situated between
the brackets spanning a equal space in the
arch, equal and opposite activation moments
are delivered to the adjacent teeth. moments
encourage reciprocal space closure, since the
• anterior and posterior moments are equal in
magnitude
• but opposite in direction .
148
• In contrast, asymmetric or offcenter placement
of the loop results in unequal moments
• The moment magnitudes are greatest at the
teeth closest to the loop and smallest at the
more distant teeth. Since the type of tooth
movement (e.g. tipping or translation) is
determined by the moment/force ratio at the
bracket, differential tooth movement is
encouraged with asymmetrically placed closing
1oop
149
• Vertical effects produced by differential
moment force systems
• Extrusive forces act at the attachments
nearest the loop (greater moment) and
intrusive effects act at the more distant
attachment. The magnitudes of the forces are
proportional to the moment differential and
are nearly constant.
150
 Loop Preactivation
• When a closing loop is activated, the anterior
and posterior portions of the archwire deflect
away from a parallel orientation. When the
closing loop archwire is engage into the
brackets, a second- and/or third-order couple
(moment) is felt by the anterior and posterior
sections of the wire . The moments acting on
the archwire,in turn, are delivered to the teeth
as the wire deactivates 151
152
153
 Force level

• a retraction spring with a low load-deflection

rate of 33 Gm. per millimeter allows for the
delivery of optimal force levels, since an error
in activation of 1 mm. results in an error of
only 33 Gm. Furthermore, as teeth move
distally, the reduction in force is small, giving
greater constancy of force at optimal levels.
154
 Retraction arches

• Group A arch is one in which posterior segments

must remain in their original position and the full
space is used for anterior retraction.
• Group B arch requires that approximately one
half of the space be used for retraction.
• Group C arch requires that approximately all
space be closed by protraction of the posterior
teeth. 155
 156

Siatkowski:Continuous arch wire closing loop design,optimisation and verification .part

I,American journal of orthodontics & dentofacial orthopedics 1997;112:393-402
 GJESSING LOOP

• GJESSING LOOP was developed with the purpose to

develop canine-retraction spring which
• (1) promotes translation sagittally and horizontally
through an antitip moment- to-force ratio of
approximately 11: 1 and an antirotation moment-to-
force ratio of approximately 4 : 1, both being relatively
constant over a certain range of activation;
• (2) results in a low load-deflection ratio during
generation of retraction forces in the range of 50 to
200 gm; 157
• (3) results in no adverse interaction between
• antitip and antirotation moments during
activation;
• (4) could be used in both 0.018 and 0.022 inch
edgewise
• systems; and
• (5) have limited dimensions and allow for
faciolingual adjustments without altering the
abovementioned characteristics 158
• Alpha moments are moments generated by the
mesial part of the spring and acting at the
canine,
• whereas beta moments act on the anchorage
teeth.
• The ß moment is a desirable complement to the
 moment, as it reduces mesial movement of
the anchorage tooth group by inducing
translation. 159
160
161
Load-deflection 162
 163
moment-to-force characteristics of the spring
Beta moment-to-force characteristics measured in the
sagittal plane at the premolar of the anchorage group. Dotted
curve: Distal spring leg provided with sweep
164
 SPRING DESIGN
• made from 0.016 by 0.022 inch stainless steel wire
• The predominant active element is the ovoid double
helix loop extending 10 mm apically. It is included in
order to reduce the load/deflection of the spring and
is placed gingivally so that activation will cause a
tipping of the short horizontal arm (attached to the
canine) in a direction that will increase the couple
acting on the tooth.
• Height is limited by practical considerations, so that a
double loop is necessary to incorporate sufficient 165
• . The gently rounded form avoids the effect of sharp
bends on load/deflection and, through the use of the
greatest amount of wire in the vertical direction,
reduction of horizontal load/deflection is maximized.
• At the same time, minimizing horizontal wire
increases rigidity in the vertical plane.
• The smaller loop occlusally is incorporated to lower
levels of activation on insertion in the brackets in the
short arm (couple) and is formed so that activation
further closes the loops. 166
• The mesial and distal extensions of the looped wire
segment are angulated both in the vertical and in the
horizontal plane. When the spring is in place, but prior to
activation of the driving force (neutral spring position, F =
0 gm), static antitip and antirotation couples will be
exerted to the canine.
• The distal driving force is generated by pulling the distal,
horizontal leg through the molar tube.
• A desirable force level of approximately 160 gm is
obtained when the two sections of the double helix are
separated 1 mm. 167
• Incorporation of a segment of a circle
(“sweep”)in the distal leg of the spring is an
adjustment with the purpose of eliminating
undesirable moments acting at the second
premolar bracket and tending to move the
root apex too far mesially.

168
 CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
• The spring is constructed to resist rotational and
• tipping tendencies during retraction-not to correct
rotations and/or extreme deviations in inclination
of the canine.
• Therefore, leveling of the buccal segments must
be terminated prior to insertion of the spring.
• The circular loop is pulled forward to contact the
distal aspect of the canine bracket and is secured by
a gingival bend of the anterior leg. 169
• Activation to 140 to 160 gm is obtained by
pulling
• distal to the molar tube until the two sections
of the double helix are separated 1 mm ).
• Activation is repeated every 4 weeks, and the
canine is expected to undergo approximately
1.5 mm of controlled movement with each
activation.
170
 OPUS LOOP
The purpose for designing this loop was
to design closing loop capable of achieving
inherent, constant M/F of 8.0 to 9.1 mm
without residual moments for en masse space
closure with uniform PDL stress distributions .
• Such a mechanism would be less demanding of
operator skill to apply clinically and might
provide more rapid tooth movement with less
chance of traumatic side effects. 171
• The design process used Castigliano's theorem
to derive equations for moment-to-force ratio
(M/F) in terms of loop geometry. The
equations were used to optimize designs by
optimizing M/F to produce tooth movement
via translation. Further refinements were
performed by use of finite element simulations
of designs. 172
 DIMENSIONS OF OPUS LOOP

Siatkowski:Continuous arch wire closing loop design,optimisation and verification .part

II,American journal of orthodontics & dentofacial orthopedics 1997;112:487-495 173
RESULTS OF APPLICATION OF CASTIGLIANO’S
THEOREM

• greatest effect on raising M/F is to increase loop

height. Increasing the number of apical helices has a
lesser effect. M/F is maximized at 3.5 mm when loop
diameter is varied
• For equal loop heights, theory predicts increased
inherent M/F for a T-loop configuration and even
more for an L-loop configuration. This trend
suggested placing a helix somewhere in the apical
portion of the “L” to increase M/F further. 174
• When centered in the interbracket distance,
the M/F at the bracket connected to the helix
end of the loop always exhibited at least three
times the M/F of the other end.
Angulation of the vertical legs was then varied in 5-
degree increments until M/F was equal at both ends.
This occurred when the legs were angled at 70
degrees to the plane of the brackets.
175
Siatkowski:Continuous arch wire closing loop design,optimisation and
verification .part I,American journal of orthodontics & dentofacial orthopedics 176
1997;112:393-402
 177
Siatkowski:Continuous arch wire closing loop design,optimisation and verification .part
II,American journal of orthodontics & dentofacial orthopedics 1997;112:487-495
• The gabled T and vertical loops generate
posterior moments that are in the same
direction as the moments at the anterior
ends, whereas the Opus 70 loop's posterior
moment is in the opposite direction
• The sum of the moments have the potential
to express as occlusal plane change of the
entire arch ( if gabled loops are left tied in for
a very long time, the anterior and posterior
segments will eventually begin to form two
occlusal planes at an angle approaching the
178
total of the gable bends' angles
• ). The sum of the moments are additive for
the T and vertical loops, increasing the total
moment attempting to change occlusal plane,
whereas the Opus 70 loop total moment is
the difference between the moments at the
two ends they being in opposite directions,
decreasing the tendency to change occlusal
plane.
179
180
 • The total moment exceeds the safe maximum only when the
activation force is 200 gm and the IBD is greater than 9 mm.

Siatkowski:Continuous arch wire closing loop design,optimisation and verification .part 181
II,American journal of orthodontics & dentofacial orthopedics 1997;112:487-495
• Being free of residual moments, the design
can produce a true rest period when
deactivated and therefore could be used with
future technology to produce intermittent
force systems during space closure.

182
183
 BOX LOOP
• The box loop is a combination of vertical and horizontal
levers designed in such a manner as to have a horizontal
section of wire unattached at the mesial and distal surfaces
of a tooth.
• This free horizontal section is inclined to the bracket slot in
such a manner that, when engaged, it moves the root of a
tooth in a mesial or distal direction.
• When it is used to tip the root of a tooth, the crown of the
tooth to be moved must be tied directly to the tooth behind
it to prevent undesirable movement, in an opposite direction
which would tend to open space between the teeth.
184
185
186
187
 K-LOOP
• The K-loop is made of .017" ´ .025" TMA wire, which
can be activated twice as much as stainless steel
before it undergoes permanent deformation. A loop
made of TMA also produces less than half the force
of one made with stainless steel.

188
• Each loop of the K should be 8mm long
and 1.5mm wide . The legs of the K are
bent down 20° and inserted into the
molar tube and the premolar bracket.

189
• The wire is marked at the mesial of the
molar tube and the mesial of the
premolar bracket

190
Stops are bent into the wire 1mm distal to the distal
mark and 1mm mesial to the mesial mark . Each stop
should be well defined and about l.5mm long. These
bends help keep the appliance away from the
mucobuccal fold, allowing a 2mm activation of the K-
loop .

191
• The 20° bends in the appliance legs produce moments that
counteract the tipping moments created by the force of the
appliance, and these moments are reinforced by the moment of
activation as the loop is squeezed into place. Thus, the molar
undergoes a translatory movement instead of tipping . Root
movement continues even after the force has dissipated. If an
extrusive or intrusive force against the molar is not desired, it is
important to center the K-loop between the first molar and the
premolar.

192
• The K-loop molar distalizing appliance has these advantages:
• • Simple yet efficient
• • Controls the moment-to-force ratio to produce bodily
movement, controlled tipping, or uncontrolled tipping as
desired
• • Easy to fabricate and place
• • Hygienic and comfortable for the patient
• • Requires minimal patient cooperation
• • Low cost
193
 Ricketts Spring
• Given by Ricketts in 1974
• It’s a combination of double closed helix & a
crossed T-loop
• The loop design is said to deliver 30-50 gm of
force per millimeter of activation when
produced in 0.016” Elgiloy Blue

194
• Ideally a spring should achieve bodily tooth
movement rather than tipping
• For bodily movement to occur,in addition to retraction
force(P) an anti-tilt couple (N) needs to applied to the
crown of the tooth such that the ratio (N/P) is equal
to the perpendicular distance (d) of the centre of
resistence within the root from the line of action of P
• The N/p ratio may be increased by gabling the arms of
the component
• Ricketts originally recommended a 90-degree gable
bend in the cuspid portion

195
• Ricketts was found to be more flexible
spring,but to have a much lower N/P ratio
than the U loop.

196
• The forces & couples acting when a generalised
Ricketts spring is activated were determined by
applying the principles of complementary (strain)
energy method . The conclusions were
• The retraction force P induced on activation is directly
proportional to the displacement
• The increase in leg length H1 stiffness and increases the
anti tilt couple
• An increase in the length H2 decreases the stiffness but decreases the anti
tilt couple
197
• Variations in the size of the radii R1 and R2 of the leg helices
and T coils over the clinically acceptable range causes little
variation in N.Increase in size however does lower stiffness
• The activation of springs with gabled arms causes an initial
contraction to take place whose magnitude increases with
increase in gable angle
• When arms are of unequal length or when the arms are
gabled unequally vertical forces Q arise. These increase as
the gable angle increase.
• The introduction of the gable angle in the horizontal arm
give rise to an increase in anti-tilt movement which
increases with increase in gable angle .This occurs whether
one or both arms are gabled.
198
199
 Clinical aspects
• Recommended activation of spring is 2-3 mm to
produce retraction force of 120g
• The incorporation of gable angle in horizontal arm
increses N/P ratio which helps to prevent tipping of
tooth distally & achieve bodily movement.but as
activation forces decrease N/P ratio increase & tend to
cause intrusion of the tooth & mesial tipping of crown
• When both arms are gabled at 45 degree N/P ratio
of11.8 is produced with retraction force of 100g, but as
forces fall to 50g ratio rises to 20mm
200
• Principal advantage of the spring is its great
flexibility
• The spring is not very comfortable to patient
as its bulk causes irritation to gingiva

201
 Removable appliances
• Removable appliances by definition are appliances that
can be inserted & removed from the mouth

• Mechanics Of Springs
• Most orthodontic springs are variants of simple
cantilever.
• For a round wire the force generated by a small
deflection within its elastic limit depends on the
deflection ,cross section & length of the wire
• F═d*c/l 202
• 2×L=16 × F
• Increase in diameter from 0.5mm to 0.7mm
doubles the force for given deflection
• DEFLECTION
• Spring activation of 3mm is satisfactory
• If more activation is given patient is more likely to insert incorrectly
• In case of smaller deflection force decreases rapidly as the tooth moves so
that intermittent force occurs
• Expected rate of tooth movement is between 1 & 2mm a month
203
 Spring design
• For maximum flexibility spring needs to be as
long as possible
• It is usual to incorporate a coil of 3mm internal
diameter
• Coil should be designed so that it unwinds as
tooth moves because the elastic recovery will
be beter than the spring loaded in opposite
direction
204
 Single cantilever spring(Finger spring)
Used to move teeth labially or in the line of the arch
Normally constructed from 0.5mm s.s wire
A coil is incorporated into the spring close to its emergence
from the baseplate.This increases the length of the & thus
the flexibility
For maximum resilience the coil should lie in on the opposite
side of the spring so that it unwinds as the tooth moves
For labial or buccal movement a single cantilever spring
should be cranked to keep it clear from other teeth & so
that spring is protected by baseplate even as tooth moves
205
• The multitude of possible appliance combinations in sliding
mechanics posses a serious challenge in producing a force
system that is optimal for tooth movement.

• Mechanical and biological factors must be considered in

producing the appliance best suited for the patient.

• The level of force systems must be take into account the

frictional force levels in order to successfully achieve the
treatment objectives

206
 TAKE HOME MESSAGE
• The multitude of possible appliance combinations in sliding
systems posses serious challenge in producing a force
system considered in producing the appliance best suited
for the patient.

• The level of frictional force must be taken into account the

treatment in order to successfully achieve the treatment
objectives.

207
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3. Kusy RP, Whitley JQ. Influence of archwire and bracket dimen-
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4. Articolo LC, Kusy RP. Influence of angulation on the resistance to
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