Dental tissues and their replacements/ oral surgery courses
Utility arches
1. UTILITY ARCHES
INDIAN DENTAL ACADEMY
www.indiandentalacademy.com
Leader in continuing dental education
www.indiandentalacademy.com
2. UTILITY ARCHES
• This auxiliary archwire was developed according to the
biomechanical principles described by Burstone and refined by
Ricketts for Bioprogressive therapy.
• Utility arch engages only two molars and four incisors.Hence
commonly known as 2x4 appliance.
www.indiandentalacademy.com
3. MATERIALS AND DIMENSIONS OF WIRE
• Blue elgiloy of 0.016 x 0.016 or 0.016 x 0.022 in an 0.022 slot is the
material of choice. It can even be made with 0.014 or 0.018 round
wires.
DESIGN
• All utility arches have a common design .
– The molar segment.
– The posterior vertical segment.
– The vestibular segment.
– The anterior vertical segment.
– Incisal segment.
www.indiandentalacademy.com
5. INTRUSION UTILITY ARCH
Intrusion utility arch, with posterior vertical
step 3-4 mm anterior to auxiliary tube on upper
first molar, allowing slight retrusive activation.
INTRUSIVE FORCE IS 25gms to each incisors.
www.indiandentalacademy.com
6. ACTIVATIONS IN UTILITY ARCH
• 1) 30° to 45° Tip-back Applied to the Lower Molars
& 30 ° to 45 ° of molar rotation.
• 2) 30° to 45° Buccal Root Torque Applied to the
Lower Molar.
• 3) Long Lever Arms Applied to the Lower Incisors.
A slight labial root torque (5° to 10°) will free the
apex of the lower incisor teeth from the lingual
planum and allow its intrusion without labial flaring.
• 4) 75 Grams of Intrusive Force Applied to the Lower
Incisors
www.indiandentalacademy.com
