An experimental investigation into the effect of dimensional change on the stiffness of double vertical incisor alignment loops.

Abstract

It is often thought that ‘double vertical’ incisor alignment loops should be constructed with narrow loop widths. Enlarged models of ‘double vertical’ loops have been investigated in order to determine the effect of change in loop height, loop width and central span length on its stiffness in the vertical and radial modes. An increase in loop width did more to reduce vertical stiffness than did an increase in loop height whereas the opposite was true for radial stiffness. A simultaneous increase in loop height and width had a synergistic effect in reducing vertical stiffness but this was not so with radial stiffness. Loop height and loop width should both be large for reduced stiffness in the vertical and radial modes.