Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate orthodontic springs used for retracting a canine. The spring was made from a titanium molybdenum alloy (TMA) wire, and had a vertical loop into which a gable bend, an anti-rotation bend, and a tip-back bend were incorporated. Long-term orthodontic movement of the canine and anchor teeth were simulated by the finite element method. As a result, the canine initially tipped and rotated, but subsequently began uprighting. When amounts of the gable bend and anti-rotation bend were appropriate, the canine moved bodily after a long time had elapsed. The tip-back bend prevented inclination of the anchor teeth. An optimal combination of three bends was determined for achieving canine bodily movement without anchor teeth tip. Using the TMA wire with a low Young's modulus, space closure by about 2 mm in length was achieved.
