Presentations

Special Lectures

Transforce lingual appliances for arch development, interceptive treatment, and pre-aligner therapy
William J. Clark
Private practice, United Kingdom

Introduction: TransForce Lingual Appliances are invisible appliances for arch development using a pre-activated nickel titanium spring mechanism for correction of arch form in all classes of malocclusion.

Objectives: Lack of friction produces rapid results in the correction of a wide range of malocclusions by applying gentle pressure to the lingual surfaces of the teeth similar to the forces applied by the tongue, to improve arch form from the lingual aspect.

Aims: Constricted arch width in all classes of malocclusion may be treated in mixed dentition to promote normal function and encourage correct tongue positioning. Arch width may be corrected in early treatment before the permanent dentition is fully developed.

Methods: Transverse TransForce Appliances An expansion module lingual to the incisors corrects transverse arch discrepancies in both dental arches. This technique has proved to be effective in correcting arch width and anterior crowding in upper and lower labial segments from mixed dentition to adult therapy.
Sagittal TransForce Appliances lengthen the arch to resolve crowding and alignment in the sagittal plane. This technique is also effective in the treatment of dental asymmetry in the upper and lower dental arch by equalizing space available to accommodate the permanent teeth in the buccal segments.

Results: TransForce appliances may be integrated with fixed appliances or used as a Pre- Aligner Technique. Ten years clinical testing confirms the effectiveness of low continuous forces for arch development with no adverse effects.

Conclusions: TransForce lingual appliances represent a revolution in interceptive treatment.