SPACE CLOSURE WITH CONTINUOUS ARCHWIRE AND SLIDING MECHANICS. UNDERSTANDING LIMITS AND COMMON MISTAKES

Sliding mechanics is the most common way of closing spaces. Unfortunately, this approach is frequently coupled with unsatisfactory results. In this lecture we will analyze the mechanics of sliding between the bracket and the wire, the role and meaning of friction, the common mistakes and the possible unsatisfactory outcomes, We will then describe ways to improve this mechanics and propose alternative ways to close spaces.

Keywords: Space Closure, Sliding Mechanics, Friction

Giorgio Fiorelli, Head of the European Orthodontic Biomechanics School

Prof. Fiorelli is born in Arezzo, Italy, 1958.

Medical degree, dental degree and orthodontic postgraduate program at the University of Siena.

Private practice limited to orthodontics since 1983. Currently in Arezzo(I), Richterswil and Lugano (CH)

Part time assistant Professor at the orthodontic department of the University of Siena from 1993 where he has been responsible for adult orthodontic treatments and teaching of biomechanics until the year 2015.

Affiliated to the orthodontic department of University of Aarhus, Denmark, where he has been involved in the short term and post graduate teaching, since 1992.

Affiliated to the orthodontic department of the University of Buffalo USA, where he has been teaching from 2012 to 2014.

Secretary General of the Italian Orthodontic society in the years 98-99. Vice- president of Italian Society of of Orthodontic Biomechanics in the Years 1999-2002.

President of Biomede

His main professional interests are: orthodontic biomechanics, use of computer within the orthodontic practice (especially related to mechanics design and treatment planning), segmented arch technique and adult orthodontic treatment.

He has published about 30 papers about the above mentioned fields.

Has co-published with Prof. Birte Melsen the “Biomechanics in Orthodontics” multimedia software , presently at release 4.

He is the creator of the software T3do and DMA for Orthodontic treatment planning and mechanics design.

Co-writer in two chapters of the book “Adult Orthodontics” edited by Birte Melsen, and in the book orthodontic Pearls, edited by Larry White.

Author of the chapter “Statically Determined Appliances and Creative Mechanics” in the textbook “The Biomechanical Foundation of Clinical Orthodontics” edited by Prof. Burstone and Choy.

Invited speaker at meetings of American, European, Italian, Japanese, Australian, Finnish, Greek, Lebanese and Greater Dallas orthodontic societies.

Has lectured about biomechanics at the Universities of Aarhus – Denmark, Edmonton and Montreal (Mc Gill)- Canada, Baylor – Dallas, New York (NYU and Columbia), Buffalo, Philadelphia and Chicago. USA, Berlin Humboldt – Germany, Basel and Zurich, Switzerland, Goteborg -Sweden, European University College, Dubai, UAE, UnCeo Bogotá – Colombia, Santiago – Chile, and several Italian schools.

He was responsible for “Adult orthodontics” postgraduate program at the University of Siena, Italy 2002 to 2013.

He currently holds private courses of biomechanics in Italy and Portugal, and is head of the European Orthodontic Biomechanics School, which organizes since 2013 an intensive five-week program attended by orthodontists coming from countries in all continents.