The cross-sectional effects of ribbon arch wires on Class II malocclusion intermaxillary traction: a three-dimensional finite element analysis

Background: The application of intermaxillary traction is often accompanied by the unexpected movement of dentition, especially anchorage teeth. The aim of this study was to comprehensively compare the influence of cross-sectional shape of ribbon arch wires with edgewise and round wires on intermaxillary traction in Class II malocclusion treatment using FEA simulation.Methods: The dentofacial structure was simulated in finite element software. A retraction force of 1.5 N was applied to different cross-sectional orthodontic arch wires: a ribbon wire (0.025×0.017-inch and 0.025×0.019-inch), a rectangular wire (0.017×0.025-inch and 0.019×0.025-inch) and a round wire (Φ 0.018-inch and Φ 0.020-inch).Results: Among the three groups, ribbon wire (0.025×0.017-inch and 0.025×0.019-inch) exhibited the lowest displacement in the X-axis (12.61 μm and 12.77 μm, respectively) and Z-axis (8.99 μm and 9.06 μm, respectively). However, the 0.025×0.017-inch ribbon wire showed the highest Y-axis displacement. In the round wire group, Φ 0.020-inch wire displayed less rotation than Φ 0.018-inch wire, where the sagittal, frontal and occlusal rotation of Φ 0.020-inch wire was almost half of that of Φ 0.018-inch wire. The movement of the first molar region was intermediate between the ribbon arch group and the round wire group. Notably, the values of the 0.025×0.017-inch arch wire displacement, which were much higher than those of any other group, peaked at 0.019 mm in the central incisor region with a spike-like shape. The deformation range of the Φ 0.018-inch wire group was the largest in this study.Conclusions: The cross-section of the arch wire influenced force delivery in Class II intermaxillary traction. With the same shape, a larger cross-sectional area would lead to less mandibular dentition movement. For the rectangular arch wire and ribbon arch wire groups, since the height and width were inverted, the vertical displacement of anchorage teeth in the ribbon wire group was significantly reduced, but the possibility of buccal tipping in mandibular anterior teeth also increased.