Biomechanical Performance of the T-Loop made with Stainless Steel Wire during the Space Closure in Orthodontic Treatment

Roberto Hideo SHIMIZU, Tatsuko SAKIMA, Ary dos SANTOS-PINTO, Isabela Almeida SHIMIZU

The purpose of this study was to evaluate of the T-Loop force system when it was in the middle of the interbracket space, and constructed with different stainless steel wire thickness, activation and preactivation. Eighty T loops made with stainless steel wire 18/8 UNITEK, were evaluated through mechanics tests, for four different thickness and four different preactivation. According to the results, it could be concluded that the preactivation doesn’t increased the force magnitude of T loop; the T loop showed lower C/D proportion, so it presented more constant force magnitude during its deactivation; the T loop showed high M/F proportion, hence it generated movements by decontrolled inclination, controlled inclination, bodily and root movement; the T-Loop made with stainless steel wire showed to be very versatile for incisors and cuspid retraction.

Keywords: Orthodontics. Tooth Extraction. Orthodontic Space Closure. Traction Resistance. Retraction Springs. T-Loops.

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