March 8, 1990
The initial .018 coaxial archwire is reinforced by a .030 tube cut accurately to span the extraction sites.
August 27, 1990
This photograph was taken less than three months after retraction force was applied to the upper bicuspids by means of fine elastomeric thread.
Retraction force was sufficient to tow the upper first bicuspid distally 4.5 mm but insufficient to overpower the precise attitude control capability of the SPEED mechanism or impair the ability of the archwire to reduce overbite.


Excessive forces would have caused:
  1. A steepening of the occlusal plane
  2. An increase in the overbite
  3. More mesial movement of the upper molars than desired
  4. Tipping and rotation of the molars and bicuspids causing their
    brackets to bind on the archwire
  5. Relatively less distal movement of the upper bicuspids

Retraction of bicuspids or canines should not be started until all SPEED brackets have aligned themselves fully with respect to the archwire.
This radiograph taken four months after the first bicuspid retraction was started shows:
  1. A uniform widening of the periodontal ligament space along the distal of its root.
  2. An area of increased radiopacity in the wake of the root confirming that it has been translated distally.
Treatment & Clinical Photography by: Dr. G. Herbert Hanson