Abstract:
Purpose of the study The purposes of this research were to study stress distribution from various methods of canine retraction at different levels of force, and to investigate various methods for suitable bodily movement of the canine tooth. Methods of the study The study was performed on the birefringent model of the mandibular tooth alignment, when the first premolar was extracted. The model was composed of canine, second premolar and first molar teeth. Stress Distribution caused by 5 canine retractors was studied by the photoelastic technic. The five retractors were Hilger spring of size 0.016x0.016 inch with gable angle 45 degree, closing loop spring of size 0.016x0.016 inch with gable angle 22.5 degree and toe in 15 degree, closed coil spring of size 0.009x0.030 inch, elastic of size 1/4 inch 3(1/2) ounce and elastic of size 1/4 inch 3(1/2) ounce with canine cap. Research results 1. Stress distributions due to Canine Retraction were as follows: 1.1 Stress patterns resulting from Hilger spring and closing loop spring were similar. The gable angle gave rise to moment which tended to the apex of the canine tooth distally before the whole tooth was retracted. Crown tipping would occur when the applied forces of Hilger spring and closing loop spring were at and above 100 grams and 300 grams, respectively. Meanwhile the anchorage loss would set in when the applied forces of the two springs were at and above 150 grams and 300 grams, respectively. 1.2 Stress patterns resulting from closed coil spring and elastic were similar. Both methods were unable to induce distal movement of the canine apex before the whole tooth was retracted. Therefore, they could only induce the tipping movement. Meanwhile the anchorage loss would happen when the applied forces of closed coil spring and elastic were at and above 250 grams and 331.29 grams, respectively. 1.3 By using elastic with canine cap, the applied force would be closer to the center of resistance of the tooth. The tipping movement occurred when the applied force was at and above 112.06 grams. Meanwhile, the anchorage loss would happen when the force was at and above 336.18 grams. 1.4 The enmassed procedure between second premolar and first molar reduced the stress distribution between these teeth and resulted in stronger anchorages. 2. Suitable methods for inducing bodily movement of the canine tooth should have the moment to force ratio = 8:1. The result indicated that : Hilger spring, closing loop spring and elastic with canine cap with the forces of 50-100 grams, 200-300 grams and 50-100 grams respectively, were the suitable methods for canine retraction.