title: Comparison of the flexibility of various splinting methods for tooth fixation.
abstract: An experimental model was constructed to test the flexibility of the arch bar splint and the Schuchardt splint as compared with a newly introduced wire-composite splint. Vertical movement in 4 flexible incisors was tested by producing compressive forces between 15-95 Newtons on the incisal edges. The thinnest wire-composite splint was also tested for lateral flexibility by producing palatal forces from 2 angles. Movement without the splint served as the control. The tests showed that a 0.3 mm thick wire-composite splint had the flexibility closest to the control, followed by the arch bar splint, and 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm wire-composite splints, while the Schuchardt splint virtually prevented vertical movement. Lateral movement was markedly reduced by the 0.3 mm wire-composite splint as compared with the control with both a 10 degree and a 45 degree force. The experiments showed that a 0.3 mm wire-composite splint can be regarded as acting as a functional fixation allowing slight vertical movement of the teeth during immobilisation; it should be recommended for tooth fixation whenever possible.
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D013165:Splints; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014084:Tooth Avulsion / Q000628:therapy*; D014086:Tooth Mobility / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins