Use of leveling and alignment loops: back to the fundamentals of Orthodontic

JOSÉ KLEBER SOARES DE MEIRELES

INTRODUCTION: Stainless steel wires have a high modulus of elasticity and low flexibility. These characteristics reduce its applicability in the initial phase of orthodontic mechanics, in which it is necessary to have good elasticity to reach bad positioned teeth, releasing light force during movement. In the past, the way found to decrease the strength level, while increasing the system's flexibility, was to rely on another characteristic of the steel alloy: its formability. Loops were incorporated into the wires, especially those with a small diameter, to increase their deflection, increasing the length of the wire between the brackets. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the use of some leveling loops that can assist the clinician in specific situations in which continuous arches may be somewhat inefficient.

Keywords: Orthodontics. Metals. Orthodontic wires.

How to cite: Meireles JKS. Use of leveling and alignment loops: back to the fundamentals of Orthodontic. Clin Orthod. 2021 Oct-Nov;20(5):92-105.

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