Don’t Forget About NiTi Opened Coil Springs

These springs are an excellent way to create space between teeth to eliminate crowding, and provide room in the arch for unerupted teeth. Compressed during placement, the springs exert continuous force against the teeth as they return to original length.

I am always amazed with the orthodontic treatment that can be accomplished by using an opened coil spring. The forces applied give us the opportunity to:

1. Create space for a tooth to come in.
2. Create space to rotate a tooth.
3. Procline front teeth to make room for canines, laterals or any other displaced tooth in the arch.

These are just a few uses. The rule of thumb is to compress the spring 2 mm or the width of a bracket when using a coiled spring.

So, if you use a spring just measure from bracket to bracket. If length is 12 mm., then cut a 14 mm NiTi opened coiled spring. The following cases help to examine and explain the use of open coiled springs in orthodontic movement.