FRICTIONAL/ SLIDING MECHANICS

Dr. FITALEW LIJIENDIH A.

Orthodontics & Dentofacial
Orthopedics Resident-II
 CONTENTS
Introduction
Definition
Friction
Action Mechanism of Friction Mechanics
Role of friction in Sliding Mechanics
Variable Affecting Frictional Resistance during
Tooth movement
Types of Mechanics in Orthodontic Tooth Movement
during Space Closure
 Cont…
Force Delivered Systems in Sliding Mechanics
Inhibitors in sliding mechanics
Conclusion
Reference
 INTRODUCTION
Orthodontic tooth movement during space closure is
achieved through 2 types of mechanics.
Loop /Frictionless mechanics- involves movement of
teeth without the brackets sliding along the arch wire
but with the help of loops.

Sliding/Frictional mechanics- involves either moving the

brackets along the arch wire or sliding the arch wire
through bracket & tube.
 Cont…
• Sliding mechanics is widely used during
orthodontic treatment.
• Sliding involves frictional forces that oppose
the very objective the practitioner
contemplated in the treatment plan.
 DEFINITIONS
Biomechanics refers to the science of mechanics in
relation to biologic systems
It is commonly used in discussions of the reaction of
the dental and facial structures to orthodontic force.
Mechanics is the discipline that describes the effect of
forces on bodies.
It is reserved for the properties of the strictly
mechanical components of the appliance system.
 Cont…
• Friction is a force acting in the tangent plane
of two bodies, when one slides or rolls upon
another in direction opposite to that of the
movement.
 FRICTION
• The main differentiating factor between 2 types of
mechanics pertains to friction .
• It plays a significant role in sliding space closure;
therefore it is called friction mechanics.
Friction-reduce the effectiveness of the mechanics
-decrease tooth movement efficiency and
-further complicate anchorage control.
 Cont…
-When two surfaces in contact slide or tend to
slide against each other, two components of
total force arise :
1. Normal force:
-is perpendicular force to one or both
contacting surfaces.
 Cont…
2. Frictional Force:
-is parallel & opposite to the direction of
intended or actual sliding motion.
-is proportional to the applied force on the
contacting surfaces.
-is affected by the nature of the surface at the
interface.
CLASSICAL MODEL OF FRICTION

BLOCK AND PLANE DIAGRAM

 Cont…
• Friction is independent of the apparent area of contact.

• Two components of friction – static and kinetic.

STATIC FRICTIONAL FORCE:

- Tangential force that does not cause any motion of

the contacting parts.
-It reflects the force necessary to initiate movement.
 Cont…

KINETIC FRICITIONAL FORCE:

- The tangential force which acts between the sliding

surface moving at a constant speed.
- It reflects the force necessary to perpetuate this motion.

- Kinetic co-efficient of friction is smaller than static co-

efficient of friction.
 Coefficient of Friction
Friction can be described by the coefficient
of friction, which is a constant & is related
to the characteristics contact surfaces.

The coefficient of friction can be described as

the frictional force divided by the normal
force that acts perpendicular to contacting
surfaces; i.e F=N
 Cont…
There are two coefficients of friction for a
material :

1. coefficient of static friction- is the reflection

of the force necessary to initiate the movement.

2. coefficient of kinetic friction – is the

reflection of the force necessary to perpetuate
this motion (exists during motion).
 MECHANISM OF ACTION OF FRICTION MECHANICS :

-To move a tooth bodily, the force applied has to pass

through the center of resistance of the tooth.

-The force is applied at the bracket level of the crown,

the concerned tooth experiences both force and
moment.
 Cont…
Moment of force is created in 2 planes of space.

-canine mesial out rotation- the force application

is buccal to the center of resistance.
- canine distal tipping – the force application is
occlusal to the center of resistance.
Cont…
 Cont
Friction tends to counteract this moment by
applying an opposite moment.
When distal tipping of the crown takes place,
the M/F ratio will be around 7:1
The tooth slides along the archwire till binding
occurs between the archwire.
This produces a COUPLE at the bracket.
 Cont…
• Now the M/F ratio increases to 12:1, which
results in distal root movement and uprighting
of the tooth.
• As the tooth uprights, the moment decreases
until the wire no longer bends.
• The process is repeated until the tooth is
retracted and force is depleted.
 Role of friction in sliding mechanics
Storey and Smith
- Developed the concept of optimal forces as the minimal
value of force that results the maximum rate of tooth
movement within the limits of biological responses.
- When sliding mechanics is used, friction occurs on the
archwire – bracket interface.
- Some of the applied forces dissipated as friction and the
remainder is transferred to the tooth that mediate
tooth movement.
 Cont…
• Upon activation, only when the delivered
force is sufficient to overcome the static
frictional force, teeth are displaced.
• Movement continues until the resistance of
deformed pdl builds to a value.
• When added to kinetic frictional force offsets
the delivered force and tooth movement
temporarily ceases.
 Cont…
As time proceeds, there are factors affecting the
resistance potential (i.e friction lock is broken
& tooth movement resets again;
- periodontal remodeling
- wire resiliency and
- masticatory action
 VARIABLES AFFECTING FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE DURING TOOTH
MOVEMENT

Factors affecting frictional resistance during

tooth movement can be broadly divided
into two:
1. Physical factors
2. Biological factors
 Cont…
PHYSICAL FACTORS:-
1. Arch wire: a) Material
b) Cross sectional shape/size
c) Surface texture
d) Stiffness
2.Ligation:a) Ligature wires
b) Elastomerics
c) Method of ligation
 Cont…
3. Bracket properties:
-Material(ss, ceramic, plastic, etc.)
-Manufacturing process
-Slot width and depth
-Design of bracket: single/twin
-First order bend (in-out)
-Second order bend (angulation)
-Third order bend (torque)
 Cont…
4.Orthodontic appliance:
-Inter bracket distance
-Level of bracket slots between
adjacent teeth

-Forces applied for retraction

 Cont…
BIOLOGICAL FACTORS:

-Saliva
-Plaque
-Acquired pellicle
-Corrosion
-Food particles
 Types of Mechanics in Orthodontic Tooth
Movement during Space Closure

1. Segmented Arch Mechanics(SAM)

-Used loops on stainless steel (SS) or titanium
molybdenum (TMA) wires.
-It is the movement of tooth or group of teeth
due to the M/F ratio generated during the
activation of the loops.
 Cont…
Advantages.
-provides excellent control of tooth inclination
during space closure.
Disadvantages
-the need for a refined biomechanics like proper
springs activation & closing loop archwires.
-increased chances to cause patient discomfort
 Cont…
2. Sliding Mechanics (SM):
-involves the actual sliding of brackets and tubes
along the wire.
Adv .-can the simpler archwires
-the shorter chair time and
-lower chances to cause patient discomfort..
Disadv .-higher chances to generate dental tipping.
-the friction generated at the bracket-wire-
ligature interface.
 Cont…
The ideal force system used for space closure
must meet certain characteristics, which are:
• Provide optimal forces for tooth movement.
• Must be comfortable and hygienic to the
patient.
• Must require minimal chair time.
• Must require minimal patient cooperation.
• Must be inexpensive.
 Retraction
- leveling and aligniment
- space gaining
– molars distal displacement
_ extraction of premolars(commonest)
- retraction
– “two- step” technique (common & longer)
--‘‘en-masse retraction’’ or One therapeutic
technique (simple mechanics)
Cont…
Posterior Teeth Protraction
CONT…
 FORCE DELIVERY SYSTEMS IN SLIDING MECHANICS

1. Elastic module with ligature

2. E-chains
3. Closed coil springs
4. J-hook head gear
5. Mulligan’s V-bend sliding mechanics
6. Employing Tip-edge Bracket on canines
 CONT…
They are either attached directly to attachments
on the teeth (canine hooks) or more usually to
hooks on the archwire .

Commonly used force delivery systems are the

elastomeric materials and the closed coil
spring.
 CONT…
Methods of applying traction to the archwire include
• Fabricated tie back loops (boot or inverted boot shape)
• Soldered brass hooks (0.7mm)
• Stainless steel hooks (0.6mm)
• Crimpable hooks
• Kobayashi hooks
• Preposted archwires are also available
A sliding hook is fabricated from a needle of 1.2 mm in diameter and soldered
23 gauge stainless steel wire (0.574 mm) for making the hook as shown
 Cont…
Tie back loops are difficult to bend in preformed archwires
and negate many of their advantages .
Soldering- requires chair side or laboratory equipment
-it is time consuming.
-it may lead to annealing of the archwire.
Preposted archwires with soldered brass or SS hooks
allow large inventory of stock
-it has cost implications.
 PREPOSTED ARCHWIRES

They are available in 3 sizes

The average distance between

the hooks are:
→ 38mm(U) & 26 mm(L) (>50%).
Additional sizes

 41 mm (U) & 35 mm (L)

 28 mm (U) & 24mm (L)
 CRIMPABLE ARCH WIRE HOOKS

-They allow quick & simple placement of hooks in the

desired position on the arch wire in (or) out of the mouth.
-Cost saving both in time and materials.
-It is associated with minimum discomfort.
Excessive force during crimping caused GABLING of the wire
and introduction of unwanted force into the wire.
 KOBAYASHI HOOKS

• Employed during canine retraction and in the

settling phase.
• Prefabricated ones are also available.
• It can be custom made from 0.09” or 0.010” ligature
wire.
Methods of canine retraction in sliding Mechanics :

ELASTOMERICS:
Composition and structure
-they are polyurethanes.
-they are thermosetting polymers.
-the polymers posses rubber like elasticity.
-have long chain which are lightly cross-linked.
 CONT…

1. ELASTIC MODULES WITH LIGATURE : ( Active tiebacks)

-this method was popularized by BENETT & MCLAUGHLIN.
- recommend placing 0.019” x 0.025” SS in a 0.022 slot for
atleast one month with passive tie backs before attempting
space closure.
-hooks of 0.024” SS or .028” brass are soldered to upper
and lower archwires.
 Cont…
Active tie backs
• it is stretched by 2-3mm(i.e twice its normal length)
• it delivers 0.5 - 1.5mm of space closure per month.
• tie backs are replaced every 4-6 weeks.
• modules generate 50-100 gm of force
• there are 3 methods of placing active tie backs with
elastic modules .
Cont…
 Cont…

Type 1: active tiebacks.

- the most frequently used method.
- the .019x .025 rectangular steel archwire is placed, with modules or
wire ligatures on all brackets.
- module is attached to the first or second molar hook.
- 0.010 ligature is used, with one arm beneath the archwire.
 Type 2 active tieback
- the elastomeric module is attached to the soldered
brass hook on the archwire.
- elastomeric modules or wire ligatures on all brackets,
except the premolar brackets.
- several twists in the wire ligature, and then attached to
an elastomeric module on the archwire hook.
- finally, a normal module is placed on the premolar
brackets to cover the tieback wire and the archwire.
 Type 3 active tieback
- a recent innovation introduced by Dr. Trevisi.
- he is currently evaluating.
- modification of the type 2 active tieback.
- it may have the advantage of being cleaner, with less friction.
- 0.10 wire ligature is used to loosely ligate the premolar bracket.
 2. E-CHAIN (ELASTOMERIC CHAINS)

-introduced in 1960 .
-made with polymers of synthetic rubber with urethane,
antioxidants and ozone inhibitors
-producing light and constant forces with greater deformation
capacity.
-have an active lifetime of 60days once installed in the mouth.
-used for space closure, rotation correction and arch
constriction.
 Cont…
-elastics absorb water and saliva in the mouth
-most of the elastomeric chains generally lose
50% - 70% of their initial force during the 1st
day and at 3 weeks retain only 30 – 40% of
their original force.
 Cont…
-force maintained during space closure between
chain and closed coil was very similar.

-the initial force of chain was approximately 209g

while closed coils have 300g.

-Weekly space closure done with chain was

0.21mm and with the closed coil was 0.26mm.
 Cont…
-chain in large space closure is not recommended
due to problems related with the force level.
-Basically, molar to molar chain is useful for:
• Space closure.
• Anchorage loss.
• Alveolar bone collapser.
• Anterior segment reclinement.
• To deepen the anterior bite.
 Cont…
1. Closed or continuous chain.
-has an interlink distance of 3 mm.
-recommended for lower incisor space closure.
-higher initial force and retain more remnant
force than long chains.
 Cont…
2. Short chain.
-the interlink distance is 3.5 mm.
-recommended for inferior dental arch space
closure.
 Cont…
3. Long chain
-The interlink space is 4 mm.
-Recommended for upper dental arch space
closure.
 Cont…
4. Extra long chain
-has an interlink distance of 4.5 mm.
 Cont…
Advantages Disadvantages
-they are inexpensive - absorb water & saliva
-relatively hygienic - permanent staining occurs
- easily applied without after few days
arch wire removal - loses elasticity over time
- undesired crown tipping
- don’t depend on patient
cooperation. - Can cause more root
resorption.
- Stretching causes
permanent deformation.
 3. CLOSED COIL SPRINGS

- introduced to the orthodontic world as early as 1931.

- during the manufacturing process, the material is
subjected to winding.
- springs are very resilient.
- materials that have been used for making springs are
• Stainless steel
• NiTi
• Co-Cr Ni alloy
 Cont…
The variables that affect the force level
produced by the coils are:
- the caliber of the arch wire,
- the alloy,
- the size of the spiral,
- the length and
- the activation magnitude of the coil.
 Con…
a. Stainless steel coil springs
-apply more level of force than elastics.
-provide elevated initial force
-are easy to apply but have high load deflection rate as
compared to Ni-Ti.
-some force degradation occurs due to lessening
activation.
Cont…
 Cont…
b. Ni-Ti closed coil spring
-Samuels & Rudge found that they are produce
more consistent space closure than elastics.
-especially indicated in large spaces closure or if
there are infrequent adjustment opportunities.
-available in two sizes 9 mm in 22mm & 12 mm in
36mm space.
-deliver constant force till the terminal end of
deactivation stage is reached.
 Cont…

-easily placed & removed without arch wire

removal
-do not need reactivation at each appointment.
i.e cooperation is not needed.
-relatively unhygienic than to elastic system.
Cont…
 INHIBITORS TO SLIDING MECHANICS

1. Occlusal interference - To prevent this proper aligning

and leveling of the arches is required.
2. Friction and binding between bracket and archwire may
place heavy demand on anchorage.
3. Poor canine control can be a problem : Doing canine
retraction on heavier arch wire reduces the problem.
 INHIBITORS TO SLIDING MECHANICS

4. Cortical plate resistance (Narrowing of alveolar bone in extraction

sites)
5. Excessive forces causes lower molar tipping and extrusion of distal
cusps
6. Soft tissue build up in the extraction site can prevent space closure
(or) reopen spaces after treatment.
7. Rotation of canines & molars. It can be prevented simultaneous
palatal traction using lingual cleats or buttons.
 Conclusion
• The potential risks of friction and binding are now
reduced but not totally eliminated from sliding
mechanics.
• Sliding mechanics is the most widely used method of
canine retraction in clinical practice.
• Best archwire / bracket combination (SS / SS), atleast
40 gms of friction must be included in the force applied
to the tooth to initiate movement during sliding
mechanics.
• The final result of space closure must include aligned
and upright teeth with parallel roots.
 Reference
1) NANDA.R.S. Text book of biomechanics in clinical orthodontics
2) PROFFIT.R.W Text book of contemporary orthodontics (4th edition)
3) Downloaded from www.medrech.com“Canine retraction in
orthodontics: A review of various methods”
4) Biomechanics and esthetics strategies in clinical orthodontic (Ravindra
Nanda)
5) Biomechanics in Orthodontics Principles and Practice.pdf (Ram S. Nanda,
BDS, DDS, MS, PhD &Yahya S. Tosun, DDS, PhD
6) Understanding the basis of space closure in Orthodontics for a more
efficient orthodontic treatment (Gerson Luiz Ulema Ribeiro1, Helder B.
Jacob2)
7) 1,001 Tips‘ for Orthodontics and its Secrets (Author - Esequiel Eduardo
Rodriguez Yanez)
THANK YOU