SPEED Q&A

SELF LIGATION www.speedsystem.com 13 Will the Spring Clips hold up over the course of treatment?* Yes! The SPEED appliance has numerous design features which have been engineered to ensure that the Spring Clip will withstand the rigors of orthodontic treatment. SPEED’s Spring-Clip will not fatigue or plastically deform under normal treatment conditions. *A recent study, published in the AJODO, illustrated that the SPEED Nickel Titanium Spring Clip experiences no loss of resiliency during treatment, while the Spring Clips used by SPEED “Imitators” can lose up to 50% of their elasticity during treatment. The occlusal tip of the Spring Clip has its own protector slot which prevents both escape and deformation of the spring under severe transient forces. *Changes in the stiffness of the ligating mechanism in retrieved active self-ligating brackets Pandis N., et al. - Am. J. Orthod. Dentofacial Orthop 2007; 132:(6):834-837 When closed, the gingival portion of the Spring Clip is supported by the bracket body so it cannot be damaged by mastication forces. Mistakenly leaving lower attachments directly in the occlusion can result in damage to the spring clip. In deep bite cases, bite shelves may be employed to prevent occlusal contact between the upper dentition and lower attachments. They can be removed once posterior extrusion occurs. Can I use SPEED Brackets as "bite shelves"? At first glance, SPEED brackets might look like tempting “bite shelves”, especially for “deep bite” cases, however, SPEED brackets are not designed to be and should never be left directly in the occlusion. Permitting this to occur creates a risk of damage to the patient’s dentition and/or the Spring Clip. If the potential exists for the upper dentition to occlude on the lower SPEED attachments, there are at least 4 possible options at the disposal of the clinician: 1. Postpone bonding the lower attachments - procline upper anteriors 2. Employ a removable bite plate 3. Bite shelf bonded to upper anterior teeth 4. Bite shelf bonded to lower posterior teeth Normal Spring Broken Spring

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