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Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Force System with Vertical V-Bends: A 3D In Vitro Assessment of Elastic and Rigid Rectangular Archwires
Published on: July 24, 2018
Three-dimensional analysis of tooth movement in Class II malocclusion treatment using arch wire with continuous
Ji-Yea Lee1, Sung-Kwon Choi1, Tae-Hoon Kwon1
1Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to analyze three-dimensional (3D) changes in maxillary dentition in Class II malocclusion treatment using arch wire with continuous tip-back bends or compensating curve, together with intermaxillary elastics by superimposing 3D virtual models.
Methods:
The subjects were 20 patients (2 men and 18 women; mean age 20 years 7 months ± 3 years 9 months) with Class II malocclusion treated using 0.016 × 0.022-inch multiloop edgewise arch wire with continuous tip-back bends or titanium molybdenum alloy ideal arch wire with compensating curve, together with intermaxillary elastics. Linear and angular measurements were performed to investigate maxillary teeth displacement by superimposing pre- and post-treatment 3D virtual models using Rapidform 2006 and analyzing the results using paired t-tests.
Results:
There were posterior displacement of maxillary teeth (p < 0.01) with distal crown tipping of canine, second premolar and first molar (p < 0.05), expansion of maxillary arch (p < 0.05) with buccoversion of second premolar and first molar (p < 0.01), and distal-in rotation of first molar (p < 0.01). Reduced angular difference between anterior and posterior occlusal planes (p < 0.001), with extrusion of anterior teeth (p < 0.05) and intrusion of second premolar and first molar (p < 0.001) was observed.
Conclusions:
Class II treatment using an arch wire with continuous tip-back bends or a compensating curve, together with intermaxillary elastics, could retract and expand maxillary dentition, and reduce occlusal curvature. These results will help clinicians in understanding the mechanism of this Class II treatment.

