A~
EFFICIENT SIMPLIFIED LINGUAL ARCH CLIFFORD GLASER,
D.D.S.,
BUFFALO,
N. Y.
H E appliance described herein is one in which there has been a consolidation of base wire and auxiliary springs. The arch wire is constructed of a small gauge wire (0.025 inch) and is adapted so that it follows the gum line from molar to molar on the lingual side of the teeth. There are foul'
T
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
anchorage points, namely, the two first molars and the two lateral incisors or perhaps the two cuspids instead of the lateral incisors. In the construction there are attached to the molar bands, close to the gingiva, small simplified locks which reduce the usual bulk of material necessary in locking devices. The incisor bands have small hooks attached neal' Clinic presented at the Thirty-Fourth Annual Orthodontists, St. Louis, April 20-23, 1936.
55
Meeting of the American
Society of
56
Clifford Glaser
the gingiva, and the arch wire has a loop placed between the bicuspids on each side for the purpose of spring and adjustment. The end of the arch has a sharp reverse bend (Fig. 1) which, when inserted into the lock as shown in Fig. 2 and then the anterior part of the arch brought to the incisors, locks it in place. Then the arch is sprung under the hooks on the incisor bands. The arch in place is shown in Fig. 3. The closeness of adaptation is very necessary for its stability, cleanliness, comfort, health of the tissues, and use of a small gauge wire. To prevent rotation of the molars a contact of the arch wire and the molar band just anterior to the molar lock must be maintained, unless such rotation is desired. Adjustment is made by changing the form of the arch, which is sometimes quite irregular at the beginning, to a more symmetrical form. The size of the arch is increased by opening the-Joops. There is no positive fixation of the molars to interfere with their functional stimulus. Any desired lateral movement of the molars is accomplished by very little lateral spring in the appliance, but mostly by the end thrust of the arch wire. The wire used should not be too stiff so that it may be handled easily in adjustment. It must also not be too weak so that the arch is somewhat floppy in the loop area. To me it seems that this appliance allows more natural function of the teeth, and therefore is most efficient when myofunctional therapy is practiced with its use. Although the photographs show a maxillary arch, it is more indicated for use on the mandible. Except in rare instances, no spring wires are attached to this appliance. After more practice with it, the spring wires will become less and less necessary.