Component Activation

Palatal springs
Finger Spring ( Use a dental mirror with appliance in place to check that the spring contacts
single cantilever the tooth correctly and lies close to the gingival margin. At time of fitting
spring) slight activation no more than 1-2mm is advisable, but with subsequent visits
adjustment of 3mm is appropriate. The spring should not be bent where it
emerges from the baseplate. The correct site of adjustment is in the free arm
of the spring as close to the coil as possible.
Z spring (double Adjustment can be done at the palatal limb first- the coil at the fixed end of
cantilever) the spring to establish degree of activation- then at the other limb to keep
the free limb perpendicular to the intended directions of the tooth
movement. It is possible to activate the spring in a single movement by
grasping its outer arms in the beaks of the pliers
T spring Adjusted by pulling away from the baseplate. It should be adjusted by a small
amount so its seat properly. Once the tooth has moved some distance, it may
be necessary to elongate the spring at the adjustment loops
Coffin spring Do not use pliers. It is safer to expand the spring by pulling apart manually,
first in the premolar and then molar regions. Maintain the both sides of the
appliance on the same plane
Buccal springs
Buccal canine The spring should only be activated 1mm. Distal activation is by bending the
retractor anterior limb over the round beak over a pair of spring forming pliers. Palatal
activation is done at the anterior limb after it emerges from the coil
Supported Activation of 2mm ( one quarter of canine width). Do not bend the wire
buccal retractor where it emerges from the tubing, or it may fracture. Adjustment made
similar to the buccal retractor
Reverse loop The spring should be activated by not more than 1mm. This is done by cutting
buccal retractor 1mm of wire from the free end and re- forming to engage the mesial surface
of the tooth. Or it can be activated by opening the loop by 1mm
Bows
Roberts An adjusted of 3mm if suitable but do not bend the wire where it emerges
retractor from the supporting tube. The bow is bent in the vertical limb below the coil.
As incisors move palatally, the bow will drop anteriorly and the level of the
horizontal part will have to e adjusted.

High labial bow The bow is adjusted is the vertical limb as describe for the Roberts retractor
with apron
spring

Labial bow with the labial bow is adjusted at the U loops. The bow should be displaced
U loops- palatally by only 1mm.

Screws the patient is given the key to adjust the screw. An adjustment of one quarter
turn each week will produce a rate of tooth movement of about 1mm per
month. The patient must ensure that the appliance seats home fully after
adjustment. In some situations, it is possible to adjust the screw twice
weekly.
Bows

Roberts retractor

An adjusted of 3mm if suitable but do not bend the wire where it emerges from the supporting tube.
The bow is bent in the vertical limb below the coil. As incisors move palatally, the bow will drop
anteriorly and the level of the horizontal part will have to e adjusted.

High labial bow with apron spring

The bow is adjusted is the vertical limb as describe for the Roberts retractor

Labial bow with U loops- the labial bow is adjusted at the U loops. The bow should be displaced palatally
by only 1mm.

Screws- the patient is given the key to adjust the screw. An adjustment of one quarter turn each week
will produce a rate of tooth movement of about 1mm per month. The patient must ensure that the
appliance seats home fully after adjustment. In some situations, it is possible to adjust the screw twice
weekly.