RETENTIVE AND ACTIVE

COMPONENTS OF
REMOVABLE APPLIANCE
By ,
Dr.Nikitha Aswath.P
Dept of pedodontics and preventive dentistry

INTRODUCTION
Removable appliance:-Appliance that
can be inserted and removed by the
patient.
K.G Issacson

Removable appliance are used mainly

1.Effective space maintainer.
2.Retention appliance
3.cross bite
4.scissor bite
Suitable age for treatment with removable
appliance is early mixed dentition.

CLASSIFICATION
REMOVABLE APPLIANCES
RETENTIVE
COMPONENTS

ACTIVE
COMPONENTS
Base plate

1. Clasps

1. Bows
2. Springs
3. Canine
retractors
4. Screws
5. Elastics

RETENTIVE COMPONENTS

DEFINITION

Components that retain or hold the

appliance in place and resist the
unwanted displacement of appliance due
to active components.

PRINCIPLES OF CLASP

Height of contour is the

line encircling the
maximum bulge or
circumference of the
crown.
Undercut is portion of
tooth surface which is
below the height of
contour and above the
anatomical neck of crown.
Clasp make use of these
undercuts for retention
purpose.

FUNCTION

UNDER CUT

MESIAL

DISTAL

BUCCAL

LINGUAL

UNDER CUTS

Mesial and Distal

Begins below the
contact point
Accessible
immediately after
eruption
Clasp using this
undercut is most
useful and efficient
Eg:-Adams clasp

Buccal and Lingual

Less extensive

Not accessible till full eruption

Less efficient

Eg:- C clasp

CLASSIFICATION

Based on using the Undercut

1.Clasps

using Mesial / Distal Undercuts

Adams Clasp

Triangular Clasp

Ball End Clasp

Arrow head / Schwarz Clasp

2.

Clasps using Buccal / Lingual Undercuts

C Clasp

South End Clasp

3.Clasps

Using Both Undercuts

Jacksons Clasp

Crozat clasp

Requirements of ideal clasp

1.Provide adequate retention

2.Engage fully erupted and partially
erupted tooth.
3.Offer adequate retention even in
presence of shallow undercuts.
4.Shouldnot apply any force by
themselves.
5.Should be easy to fabricate ,adjust and
repair.

6.Should not injure the soft tissue.

7.Should not interfere with normal
occlusion and with normal mastication.

PARTS OF CLASP.
1.FREE END
2.OCCLUSAL
CROSSOVER

3.RETENTIVE ARM
4.RETENTIVE TAG

C CLASP

Three quarter clasp, Circumferential clasp

Wire used for construction:-21 gauge0.8mm

Design

Engages bucco cervical undercut.

The C clasp can be mesial or distal clasp depending on
location of open end
The open end of wire engages either mesial or distal
interproximal embrasure.
Extends either mesially or distally and passes below the
maximum bulge along the cervical margin onto other
interproximal embrasure.
It is then carried over the occlusal embrasure to end as
a single retentive arm on the lingual aspect that gets
embedded in the acrylic base plate.

Indication:-permanent molars or
premolars.

Adjustment:-Holding at contact point and

bending towards the tooth.

C CLASP

ADVANTAGES
Simplicity of
design and
fabrication.

DISADVANTAGES

No adequate retention, only as

supporting clasp.

Cannot be fabricated on deciduous

molar.

Easily distorted.

JACKSONS CLASP

FULL CLASP,U CLASP

21 gauge-0.8mm of wire
0.6mm if used in deciduous molars

DESIGN

Clasp is placed buccally

Engages buccocervical,mesial and distal
undercut.
Wire adapted along the buccocervical
margin just above the free gingiva.
Then extended to both the proximal
undercuts,from where it is vertically
carried over the occlusal embrasures to
end as retentive tags

ADVANTAGE
Simple to fabricate
toot

DISADVANTAGE
Cannot be used in partially erupted
as undercut not fully developed

Provide adequate retention

used only on posterior tooth

ADAMS CLASP

Introduced by C PHILIPS ADAMS.

UNIVERSAL CLASP,LIVER POOL CLASP ,MODIFIED

ARROWHEAD CLASP

22gauge 0.7mm

Parts:A. Two arrowhead

B. Bridge
C. Two retentive arm

Two arrowhead engage the mesiobuccal and the distobuccal

undercuts, connected by a bridge 2mm away at angulations
of 45 to long axis of tooth and at level of middle third of
crown.Arrow head continuos as retentive arm

Advantages
Excellent retention

Difficult to fabricate

Can be made on both primary and

permanent tooth

Greater occlusal interferance

Constructed on any tooth

Partially or fully erupted tooth
Repaired by soldering
Permit modifications in its design

Disadvantages

MODIFICATIONS

MODIFICATIONS

MODIFICATIONS
ANTERIOR ADAMS CLASP Additional

retention.

Adjustment:-

1.Tightening the clasp by bending it gingivally at the point where wire

emerges from base plate.

2.Bending retentive arm inwards

TRIANGULAR CLASP

Small triangular shaped clasps used

between two adjacent posterior teeth

22 gauge -0.7 mm

TRIANGULAR CLASP

Design:Parts:A. Small triangle portion of 2-3mm side

B. A horizontal loop
C.A vertical arm which continues as retentive arm
.Apex of triangle:-positioned in embrasure.
Base of triangle :-away from embrasure. Then wire is bent over the
base of triangle, crosses the occlusal embrassure and continues as
retentive arm.

Advantages:-No interference with oral

hygiene
Disadvantages:-No adequate retention.

Expansion plate with

triangular clasp

SCHWARZ CLASP

Arrow head clasp

Adams clasp is a modification of this

Design:
Parts:A. Arrow head portion
B. Vestibular portion
C. Retentive arm
Constructed using arrow clasp forming and
arrow clasp bending pliers. Head portion of
arrowhead is bent gingivally towards the
undercut. Vestibular portion is made in such
a way it stands away from the soft tissue .

3 or 4 arrowhead s can be made

depending on retention required
.Anterior arm of clasp crosses over the
mesial contact area of
premolar/deciduous molar and
continuous as retentive arm .poserior
arm run distal to the last erupted tooth
and ends on palatal or lingual aspect.

o
o
o
o
o

Advantages:-Better retention
Disadvantages:Bulky clasp
Arrowhead causes injury
Fabrication is difficult.
Need special pliers
Used only on posterior teeth

CROZAT CLASP

21 gauge-0.8mm
Design:Full clasp with an additional piece of wire
soldered at the base.

Advantages :-offers better retention than full

clasp.
Disadvantage:-Soldering machine required.

SOUTHEND CLASP

22gauge-0.7mm

Design:-Wire adapted along cervical margin of

both central incisor and passes across
distolabial line angle and distal end carried over
occlusal embrasure to end as retentive arm

Advantages: Retention required in anterior

segment
Limited undercut
Esthetically more pleasing and less
obstructive
Disadvantages:-cannot be used in
proclined incisors

BALL END CLASP

Indication:-Used as accessory clasp when

additional retention is required.
Design:-Consist of a knob or ball at one end of
wire. Ball engages the proximal undercut. Distal
end of wire passes over occlusal embrasure to
end as retentive arm and a tag.

Ball end clasp engaging the lingual

embrasure are given when removable
appliance are used concurrently with
fixed appliance.

BASE PLATE
Base plate serve as
a framework for removable appliance,
supporting active element
transmitting the reactions to the anchorage
also may sometimes be extended to act as
bite planes or to provide inclined plane.
Should be of minimum thickness 1.5 -2mm.

ACTIVE COMPONENTS
Components of the appliance which
exerts forces to bring about necessary
tooth movement.

Labial bow
The various types of Labial bows

Short labial bow

Long labial bow
Split labial bow
Reverse labial bow
Roberts retractor
Mills retractor
High labial bow with apron springs
Fitted labial bow

Labial Bows
Parts of labial bow
1. Incisor segment
2. Vertical loops
3. Cross over section
4. Retentive arm

Incisor segment

Usually in the junction of middle third

and incisal third
Right angle bend at the distal third of
lateral incisors or mesial third of canine.
Contacts only the most prominent teeth

Vertical loops

Consists of parallel vertical legs joined by

a smooth curve.

Its usually 9 12 mm, extending 2 3

mm above the gingival margin.

At the gingival level the loop is 1-1.5

mm away

Short labial bow

RETENTION

REINFORCEMENT

0.7mm -22 gauge

Bow:-Middle third
Labial loop:-Middle third of
canine

0.9 -1 mm-20 gauge

LONG LABIAL BOW

Design:22 gauge

First premolar to other.

Bows:-centre of crown.

Activation:-compress loop by 1-2mm,bow is displaced 1mm palatally.

LONG LABIAL BOW

INDICATIONS

Minor anterior space closure

Minor overjet reduction

Closure of space distal to

canine

Guidance of canine during

retraction

Retention

SPLIT LABIAL BOW

Modification of short
labial bow.
Design:-Horizontal
arm split to increase
flexibility.
Activation:compressing U loop
by1-2mm
Modification used in
closure of midline
diastema.

MODIFIED SPLIT LABIAL

BOW

9yr old boy,

Mesiodens in between 11 and 21

Extraction of mesiodens

Treatment with active split labial bow

REVERSE LABIAL BOW

DESIGN:-

22 gauge

Loop -Distal to canine and bent at right

angles to extent anteriorly.

Short reverse labial bow:-Retentive arm is

between canines and lateral incisor.

Long reverse labial bow:-Retentive arm is

between two premolars.

REVERSE LABIAL BOW

Activation:-

Step 1 :-opening of U loop, resulting in

lowering of labial bow in anterior region.
Step 2:-Compensatory bent given at the
base of U loop

ROBERTS RETRACTOR

24 gauge -0.5 mm
Stainless steel wire
Design:-It has two
helices of 3 mm
internal diameter at
base of U loop
mesial to canine.
Anterior vertical arm
extent distal to
lateral incisors and is
parallel to the roots.

ROBERTS RETRACTOR

Activation:-Closing the coil

Indication and advantages
severe anterior proclination.
Range of action is longer.
Disadvantage:Not well tolerated and cannot be given
in lower arch as sulcus is shallow.

MILLS RETRACTOR
( EXTENTED LABIAL BOW)

Design:-Anterior part of
bow extents till mesial to
canine and forms a
complex loop gingivally.
Indication:-patients with
large over jet.
Disadvantages:-Difficult to
construct and poor patient
acceptance.

HIGH LABIAL BOW WITH APRON

SPRING

Indication:-Large overjet.
Design:-Made of 0.9mm SS that extent into
buccal vestibule
Apron spring made of 0.4mm attached to high
labial bow

Advantages:- used in retraction of one or more

tooth
Disadvantages:-Difficulty in construction.

JOURNAL 1
Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Vol. 29,
No. 1, January-March, 2011, pp. 57-61

Treatment of pseudo class 111 using modified hawleys appliance with inverted
labial bow

PRETREATMENT

POST TREATMENT

CASE REPORT
AT TIME OF DELIVERY

ONE WEEK AFTER

SPRINGS

Classification of
springs

There are number of ways by which springs can

be classified:
1.

Based on the presence of helix

2.

Based on the direction of tooth movement brought

about by the springs

3.

Based on the type of force application

4.

Based on the method of activation of coil

5.

Based on the nature of support required for its

action

1.Based on the presence of helix : Cantilever

principle of spring

Simple spring, less deflection

Loop spring,
more deflection

Compound or helical spring,

more deflection with
incorporation of coil

2. Based on the direction of tooth

movement brought about by the springs

a)

b)

c)

d)

Springs used for mesiodistal tooth movement :

Finger spring, canine retraction spring
Spring used for labial/buccal movement: T-spring,
Z-spring
Springs used for
canine retractor

lingual

movement:

Buccal

Spring used for the expansion of arches: coffin

spring, quadhelix etc

3. Based on the type of force application

a)

b)

Push type : z-spring, T-spring, finger

spring, palatal canine retractor
Pull type : Buccal canine retractor,
reverse loop or helical canine retractor

4. Based on the method of activation of coil

a)

Open Coil (compression) spring :

These are activated by opening up the
helix.
In other words the activation is done in
the direction opposite to the making of
the coil.
The spring is then engaged in
compressed state.

The coil then tries to open and moves the

tooth away from it.

Push type springs usually are open coil

springs.

For open coil springs the active arm is

towards the tissue side (below the coil)
while the retentive arm is above the coil.
Eg.: Z spring, T-spring, finger spring.

b)

Closed coil (Tension) springs:

These are activated by closing the coil. In
other words, activation is done in the same
direction as making the coil.
The active arm is engaged to the teeth in
tension. The coil then tends to close and
moves the teeth towards it.
Usually all the pull type springs are close type.

For closed coil springs the active arm is

above the coil while the retentive arm is
towards the tissue side (below the coil).

Closed coil springs have more activation

range than open coil springs eg., buccal
canine retractor, reverse loop or helical
canine retractor.

5.

Classification of springs based on their ability

to withstand forces of distortion
Self- supported springs:

a)

I.
II.
III.
IV.

Buccal canine retractor

Helical loop canine retractor
U loop canine retractor
Coffin Springs

Guided Springs:

b)

I.
II.
III.
IV.

Cantilever springs
Finger Springs
Palatal canine retractor
T Spring

Auxiliary springs:

c)

I.

Apron springs

SPRINGS

Kinetic energy stored in the form of loops

and helices is transformed into potential
energy to bring about tooth movement.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNING SPRINGS

F=KD4/L3

F=force
D=diameter of wire
K=flexibility constant/amount of deflection
L=length of the wire

Deflection:Activation about 3mm is satisfactory.

Rate of tooth movement:-1-2mm a month
Monthly adjustment sufficient.
Force to be applied:Single rooted tooth 25-40g
Diameter of wire :Flexibility depends on diameter
Diameter decreased decreased force, gentle and
continuous for long period

Parts of a spring :
A

A : Active arm
B : Coil or helix
C : tag on retentive arm

For maximum resilience, the coil should

lie on the opposite side of the spring
from the the tooth. So that it is bound
up as the appliance is inserted and
unwinds as the tooth moves.

Direction of tooth movement:Tooth move in direction perpendicular to the

tangent at the point of contact
E.g:-Buccally placed spring to move tooth palatally

Length of wire:Increased length-Force decreased-flexibility

increased

Position of helix is very important - it must be

placed half-way between the starting position
of the tooth and the desired finishing position

HELICE TOO FAR MESIALLY-TOOTH MOVES PALATALLY

Helix too far distally - tooth will move buccally

Measurement of force

o
o

o
o
o
o

Spring gauge or dial type measuring gauge

Dontrix:Principle of spring gauge
Measuring range:-28-450g approximately
Corex:Dial type measuring gauge
No 1:-10 -100 gms
No 2:-25 -250gms
No 3:-100-500gms
No 4:-200-1000gms

FINGER SPRING
(SINGLE CANTILEVER SPRING)

Indication :-Mesiodistal
movement of tooth
Used only on tooth that should
be within the line of the arch.
Design:0.5 or 0.6mm
Active arm:-12-15mm length
Tissue side
Helix:-3mm diameter.
Along long axis and opposite to
intented tooth movement
Retentive arm:-4-5mm long
Away from tissue.

Activation:-moving the active arm

towards the teeth intented to be moved
Done as close to coil as possible

Z PRING
(DOUBLE CANTILEVER SPRING)

Indication :- Labial
movement of incisors.
Minor rotation of
incisors.
Design:0.5mm-24 gauge
2 coils
Spring :-perpendicular to
palatal surface.
Retentive arm :-10-

Activation:opening both
helices by about
2-3mm at a time.
Minor rotation
correction:-one
helices is opened.

Active component: Z-spring to 1/

BITE OPENING: Posterior bite capping to

654 / 456 (more comfortable
for patient)

BASEPLATE: to connect everything together

ACTIVATE THE Z-SPRING....

Anterior cross bite

12yr old male patient presented with anterior cross bite in

relation to 11

Pre treatment

Post treatment

Treatment:-Cemented posterior bite block with Z spring for 4

months

T SPRING

Design:-T shaped arms ,loops incorporated in

both arms of T.

Indication:-Buccal movement of premolars and

sometimes canine.
Activation;-pulling free ends of T towards
intended direction of tooth movement.

MATTRESS SPRING

Free ended spring

DESIGN:-Gauge of wire-0.6mm
-Parts-Mattress shaped with U loops
extending as retentive arm. Engages
close to gingival margin.

INDICATIONS

labial movement of teeth in

crossbite.

HELICAL COIL SPRING

Free ended spring

DESIGN
-Gauge of wire-0.6mm
-Parts-Two helices on different arms with
connecting
arm. Supported by acrylic.
Construction-generally made from 0.6mm wire
with the connecting arm between the springs
acting as part of the retentive arm.

ADJUSTMENT & ACTIVATION

Opening the helices

Two sides can be activated by different
amounts depending on amount of
movement needed.

Indications:

Used to regain lost extraction space.

Used for mesial or distal movement
after teeth have drifted into edentulous
area

COFFIN SPRING
Introduced by walter coffin.
Indication:-slow dento alveolar
arch expansion,unilateral cross
bite or constricted upper arch.
Design:1.2 mm ss wire.
U or omega shaped wire placed in
midpalatal region.
Retentive arm incorporated into
base plate.

Activation
:-pulling the ends
at region of clasp
gently apart.
1-2mm at a time.

Four registration points are drilled at the extremities of base plate for recording the
amount of expansion by divider

By pulling the sides apart manually, first in the premolar region and then in the
molar region

Activation of 1-2 mm at a time appropriate

CANINE RETRACTORS

Used to move canine in a distal direction.

CLASSIFICATION:
Based on their location
Buccal-Buccally placed.
Palatal-Palatally placed.
Based on presence of helix/loop
Canine retractor with helix
Canine retractor with loop
Based on their mode of action
push type
pull type

U LOOP CANINE RETRACTOR

Design;-0.6 or 0.7 mm wire

Uloop,active arm, retentive arm
Base of U loop 2-3 mm below cervical margin

Mesial arm adapted around canine below mesial contact

point.
Retentive arm is distal.
Activation:-closing U loop by 1-2mm/cutting free end by
2mm and readapting it.
Mechanically least effective.

HELICAL CANINE RETRACTOR

Reverse loop canine retractor,0.6mm wire

Design:-Helices of 3mm ,3-4mm below gingival
margin.

Distal arm is active ,towards the tissue bent at right

angles to engage canine.

Activation:-Opening helix by 1mm/cutting 1mm

of free end and readapting it.

PALATAL CANINE RETRACTOR

Design:-0.6mmwire.coil of 3mm diameter.

Placed along long axis of canine

Active arm placed mesial to canine

Indication:-Retraction of palatally placed canine
Activation:-Opening the helices 2mm at a time.

BUCCAL CANINE RETRACTOR

Design:- 0.7mm wire coil of 3mm

diameter ,distal to long axis of canine
Active arm away from tissue

Indication:-Buccally placed canine

Two types:Self supported:-Thicker gauge(0.7mm)
Supported canine retractor;-0.5mm

Activation:Self supported:-Closing the helices 1mm

at a time

Supported :-closing helices upto 2mm

SCREWS

SCREWS

Design:-Removable appliance consisting of a

split acrylic plate and adams clasp on
posterior tooth. Screws connect the split plate
and is parallel to intended tooth movement.

Indication:-Space necessary for correction is

less than 3mm

Activation:-One quarter turn once weekly

using a key,seperates acrylic 0.25mm,force
ranging from 3-10 pounds,compress tooth in
socket by 0.12mm per side,within the pdl
space 0.25mm ,

Large intermittent force produced.

Case Report
9yr old boy, pleasant profile, with chin
deviated to right side by 3mm .
Right maxillary segment tipped
palatally .
1. Mixed dentition with class 1 and half
cusp class11 right molar relationship
2. Overbite was deep .
3. Mandibular midline deviated by 4mm.

Case 2

APPLIANCE 1

Source: The Saudi Dental Journal 2012; 24:105-113 (DOI:10.1016/j.sdentj.2011.12.005 )

Copyright 2012 Terms and Conditions

APPLIANCE 2

Source: The Saudi Dental Journal 2012; 24:105-113 (DOI:10.1016/j.sdentj.2011.12.005 )

Copyright 2012 Terms and Conditions

Post operative

Source: The Saudi Dental Journal 2012; 24:105-113 (DOI:10.1016/j.sdentj.2011.12.005 )

Copyright 2012 Terms and Conditions

4 months later

CASE REPORT

pretreatment

8yr old girl

Both central incisor in
crossbite ,lateral incisor
erupting.
Class1 molar relation on
both sides with a overjet
of 2mm and 100 overbite.
Sufficient spacing in
maxillary arch to achieve
labial movement of
maxillary central incisor.
In lateral cephalometry
no bone pathology.

AFTER 4
MONTH

Removable appliance with

a posterior bite plate and
screw incorporated and
activated for 16 weeks

After 2 months incisors

displayed edge to edge
bite relationship.
Cross bite corrected in
another 2 month ,posterior
biteplate then removed
,screw activation continued
to gain 2 month to achieve
overjet of 2mm.

During the treatment

lateral incisor erupted ,left
lateral incisor in cross bite .
A new acrylic plate with a
labiolingual spring was
activated every 2 month till
cross bite was corrected
i.r.t 22.
End of treatment by 8
month .Based on this study
a removable appliance with
screw is first choice of
treatment to correct
anterior crossbite when
more than 1 incisor is
involved.

After 6 month

ELASTICS

Indication:- for anterior retraction

Design:-Labial bow with hooks placed distal to

canine..Latex elastics are stretched over them
and lie over incisors.

CLASSIFICATION

Broadly classified based on manufacture

and material used as:-Natural or latex natural rubber
-Synthetic or non latex polyurethane
elastomers

AVAILABILITY

Available in various strengths which is

dependant upon their diameter and
thickness. Chosen according to the
purpose. Color coded.
Force

2 OZ

3.5 OZ

4.5 OZ

6 OZ

8 and 12 OZ

Diameter
1/8

White

Clear or tooth colored

3/16

Red

Gray

Fiesta pink

Clear or tooth colored

1/ 4

Blue

Orange

Teal

Clear or tooth colored

Green

Tan

Mauve

Clear or tooth colored

Pink

Lavender

Navy

Clear or tooth colored

5/16
3/8

Yellow

CLASSIFICATION
CLASS 1 ELASTICS

CLASS 11 ELASTICS

CLASS 111 ELASTICS

BOX ELASTIC

ANTERIOR
ELASTIC

CROSSBITE
ELASTIC

V ELASTIC

Conclusion
A removable appliance if thoughtfully
designed, well constructed and carefully
supervised can be successfully used to deal
with simple cases of malocclussion .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Removable orthodontic appliance

:-K.G.Issacson,J.D.Muir,R.T.Lead
Design construction and use of
Removable orthodontic appliance:-C
Philips Adams,W.john.rs-6th edition
Removable orthodontic appliance:T.M.Graber,B.Newman 2nd edition
Orthodontics The Art and Science:-SI
Bhalajhi-4th edition

THANK YOU