The use of the removable appliance on the maxillary arch facilitates the movement of the cuspids without the necessity for banding any or all of the maxillary teeth. It makes possible, also, the movement of partially erupted, or high, cuspids, into their approximately correct positions when they are not erupted far enough to band. The coil spring technique on the mandibular arch has an advantage in that the full arch wire is used during the entire treatment. This obviously allows more control of buccolingual position during movement of the cuspids. The arch wires are so formed that they guide the cuspids between the buccal and lingual plates into their new positions through the action of the coil spring. As they slide along the arch wire the cuspids reach their approximately correct positions vertically or nearly so. If overexpansion of the teeth is avoided through the careful formation of the arch wires, the maxillary and mandibular arches during retention should have a relatively similar pattern or outline as the original malocclusion. The extrusion and intrusion stress or movement caused by the use of the vertical spring loop is eliminated. Second premolars and molars need not be depressed as the cuspids are moved distally. Adjustments to keep the cuspids moving are made mesially to these teeth. The power or pressure developed from the coil spring is delivered equally on both cuspids and in a horizontal direction. Thus it will be seen that the posterior or anchor teeth are disturbed the minimum amount. All cuspids that are in so-called supra-occlusion should be depressed early in treatment. They should be kept from elongating as long as bands and appliances are on, so that during and after retention the cuspids will not strike each other excessively hard in lateral excursion, thereby encouraging early collapse. Extraoral anchorage is used on the lower arch to prepare it to withstand the pull of Class II elastics. It is also used, if necessary, to maintain or reinforce this anchorage during the time elastics are being worn for the distal movement of the maxillary teeth. By the same token, if and when Class III elastics are to be worn, the headgear is first applied to the maxillary arch, preparing it in like manner for the elastic pressure, and is worn continuously on the upper as long as the Class III rubbers are used. It is not claimed that this technique will bring about better results than other methods. However, the pressure on the moving teeth is constant; tooth movement is accomplished with the minimum of irritation and damage to the tissues and, lastly, with little or no pain or discomfort to the patient.
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