Let’s Learn About Open Coils for Creating Space with Orthodontic Springs

Hello~

I’m Dr. Lee Juri, the chief director of Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic.

When starting orthodontic treatment, many patients wonder about the devices used in the mouth besides the wires.

Doctor~ What is that thing that looks like a pen spring?? One of them is a spring-like device called an “open coil.”

Let’s Learn About Open Coils for Creating Space with Orthodontic Springs

In today’s post, I’ll explain in detail what an open coil is, why it’s used, and what to be careful about when using it!

Source: Leeitsen Instagram

Patients may think it feels like the spring inside a pen~

What Is an Orthodontic Spring?

It is called an open coil. It is a metal coil shaped like a spring, and it is used by placing it on the wire between orthodontic brackets.

Like this! 250509

It is used to create space between two teeth.

The word open means to open a door, right?

An open coil also has three functions, and it plays the following roles.

1. Creates space between teeth
2. Maintains steady pressure on the orthodontic wire
3. Secures preparatory space for moving impacted teeth or teeth in poor positions

In other words, it helps open up a lack of space~

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This is a photo showing an orthodontic spring in use.

If you look closely, the lower front teeth are crowded together, right?

When space needs to be created to align the teeth evenly, an open coil is used.

A pen spring has tension when you touch it too!

By using that elastic force, it gradually pushes the teeth apart to create space.

Although it varies from person to person, it is usually used for about 1 to 3 months!

Once the desired space is created, the spring is removed!

You may feel something like this! Since it is used to move teeth, you may feel soreness at the beginning.

You may also feel that the teeth are being pushed slightly.

In addition, it may touch the lips, causing a foreign-body sensation or even mouth ulcers.

As time is the best medicine, these symptoms naturally ease over time.

Small and simple, but the open coil helps move teeth. It looks like a pen spring, but it plays an important role in securing space for the teeth!

If there is a spring that opens space, there should also be one that closes space, right?

I’ll prepare that for a future post.

Thank you.

This article was written by a medical professional in accordance with the Medical Service Act for the purpose of providing information to promote public health, and is not intended as advertising or solicitation for any specific treatment or medical institution.

#OrthodonticSpring #OpenCoil