Abstract
Aims: . To investigate the rates of space closure achieved by elastomeric chain and nickel titanium coil springs with the evaluation of the effects of using different bracket types on the rate of space closure during its retraction along different sizes of orthodontic arch wires using typodont simulation system (Ormco). Materials and Methods: The standardization criteria were all typodont teeth situated in well aligned position, covered and immobilized by the acrylic bite except canine, elastic chain and nickel – titanium closed coil spring exerting 180 gm of force on canine measured carefully by tension gauge. The available space was 13.5mm (the rate of space closure). Results: The present study showed that when using elastic chain as a method of canine retraction gave rise to a a significant decrease in the rate of space closure as compared with nickel – titanium closed coil spring also sliding the canine using ceramic brackets gave rise significant reduction in the rate of space closure than when using stainless steel brackets. Another finding of the present study showed that sliding the canine on large rectangular arch wire (0.019x0.025 inch) gave rise to a significant reduction in the rate of space closure when com-pared with 0.018 inch and 0.018x0.022 inch arch wires were used. Conclusions: It was concluded that the canine retraction with 0.018 inch wire on Roth stainless steel bracket by closed coil spring gave rise a large amount of space closure rate. While the opposite is true for canine retraction with 0.019x0.025 inch wire on standard ceramic bracket by elastic chain retraction method.