10.

5005/jp-journals-10021-1084
Amit
Jain, Saugat
Ray
CLINICAL
INNOVATION

Alternative Method for Fabrication of

Power Arm
1

Amit Jain, 2Saugat Ray

ABSTRACT
Sliding mechanics are routinely used in our day to day orthodontic practice and use of power arm in various forms is integral to it. Here is an innovative
method to fabricate a power arm which can be easily fabricated at the chair side.
Keywords: Archwire, Power arm.
How to cite this article: Jain A, Ray S. Alternative Method for Fabrication of Power Arm. J Ind Orthod Soc 2012;46(3):172-173.

INTRODUCTION
For years, orthodontists have searched for an efficient force
system that can work quickly, accurately and effectively to
shorten treatment time. A sliding mechanics force system might
be an answer, if we know how to control and manipulate the
force system well. From the Andrews straight wire appliance1,2
to the McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevesi appliance,3 sliding
mechanics force systems have been widely used, mainly for
anterior tooth retraction during space closure in orthodontic
treatment.
The use of power arms attached to the archwire enables one
to readily achieve controlled movement of the anterior teeth.
The force system for the desired type of tooth movement, such
as bodily movement can be easily carried out by attaching
various heights of power arm to the archwire in sliding
mechanics.4 In sliding mechanics the power arm is placed mesial
to the canine which enables better control of the anterior teeth.
Simple technique for fabricating a hook has been devised
which can be made at the time of archwire fabrication.

3. Give another bend at 2 mm from the last bend and make a J

shaped hook (Fig. 2).
4. Using the spot weld machine, weld the two parallel arms
of the J hook (Fig. 3).
5. Turn the wire again at 90 so, that the wire is in the same
plane as was before bending the hook.
6. Make the hook of the other side and make the desired arch
form (Fig. 4).
7. The wire with hook in patients mouth (Fig. 5).

PROCEDURES
1. Take a 0.019" 0.025" stainless steel straight length wire
and mark where the hook has to be fixed.
2. Bend the wire 90 at the point marked and then give another
bend inward (Fig. 1).

1,2

Fig. 1: Bend the wire 90 at the marked point and then give another
bend inwards

Graded Specialist

Military Dental Centre, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Department of INHS Kasturi, Armed forces, India

Corresponding Author: Amit Jain, Graded Specialist, Military Dental

Centre, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, e-mail: amitjain10@gmail.com

Received on: 25/1/12

Accepted after Revision: 23/3/12

172

Fig. 2: Give another bend at 2 mm from the last bend and

make a J-shaped hook

JAYPEE

JIOS
Alternative Method for Fabrication of Power Arm

Fig. 5: Fabricated archwire with power arm in situ

Fig. 3: The spot welding machine welds the

two parallel arms of the J hook

CONCLUSION
We have found this to be a more economical variant, as
compared to the crimping of prefabricated crimpable hooks which
require specific crimping pliers and have the potential to become
loose during the treatment. Another advantage of fabricating a
hook is that its length can be made as desired.
REFERENCES

Fig. 4: Similarly make the hook of the other side

1. Andrews LF. The six keys to normal occlusion. Am J Orthod

1972;62:296-309.
2. Roth RK. Treatment mechanics for the straight wire appliance.
In: Graber TM, Swain BF (Eds). Orthodontics: Current principles
and techniques. St Louis: Mosby 1985;665-716.
3. McLaughlin RP, Bennett JC. The transition from standard
edgewise to preadjusted appliance systems. J Clin Orthod
1989;23:142-53.
4. Nanda R, Ghosh J. Biomechanical considerations in sliding
mechanics. In: Nanda R (Ed). Biomechanics in Clinical
Orthodontics. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders 1997;188-217.

The Journal of Indian Orthodontic Society, July-September 2012;46(3):172-173

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