Z Bend Advancing Utility Arch Fabrication

Prepared and presented by Dr Jeffery B Taylor

0.020ss Archwire
Place midline mark on dental cast midline. Mark 2mm distal to molar tube. Bend 180
Wire is NOT in tube in this photo

Mark wire at mesial aspect of molar tube

NOTE: This loop is being made intentionally large for viewing

Bend second 180 at the mark

The mark is the stop at the mesial of the tube so you will use wire from distal end

Note that the top of the Z will hit molar tube in the same linear relationship as the mark

After bending both Z loops, the stops should hit the molar tubes and the midline mark should be in middle of the dental midlines.

This shows Z bend loop at 90 to occlusal plane. This often causes gingival impingement.

Solution: Bend the Z loop inward approx 20. Hold the buccal segment with plier and bend in Z loop with your fingers.

Now activate the lower loop to make legs parallel

Following activation, anterior bow should be 1.52.0 mm in front of lower incisor brackets