EXAMINATION OF ORTHODONTIC ELASТOMERIC CHAINS AND NiTi CLOSED COIL SPRING FORCE DURING POSTEXTRACTION SPACE CLOSURE

Abstract

This paper examines the forces produced by elastomeric chains and NiTi closed coil springs during postextraction space closure. 58 postextraction spaces were analyzed, divided into two groups according to the applied mechanism. Postextraction spaces were monitored for 3 months when force strength and postextraction space width measurements were made. The measurements were carried out every 4 weeks, initially during activation of the mechanism and at the end of the active phase. The results show that elastomeric chains have more force decay over time, with the smaller amount of space closure width than NiTi closed coil springs. Keywords: elastomeric chain, NiTi closed coil spring, postextraction space.