Placing piggy back: An easy way out

INTRODUCTION

Correction of certain malocclusions such as a single tooth cross bite and palatally or lingually placed tooth [Figure 1] often requires the use of piggy back NiTi archwire attached with a stainless steel base archwire. The placement of the piggy back NiTi is a cumbersome procedure. The following procedure provides a simplified method for securing the piggy back NiTi wire with stainless steel base archwire.

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Figure 1: Malocclusion showing anterior single tooth crossbite

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PROCEDURE

1. Place elastomeric orthodontic separators between the canine and premolar/first and second premolars, with a portion of each separator extending above the occlusal surfaces [Figure 2].

   

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   Figure 2: Elastomeric orthodontic separators between the canine and premolar

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2. Pass the ends of the NiTi wire through the separators so that the anterior segment of the wire is in passive contact with the bracket slot of the anterior teeth [Figure 3].

   

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   Figure 3: Placing nickel-titanium wire through the separators maintaining passive contact with the bracket slot of the anterior teeth

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3. Ligate the instanding tooth (Central incisor) with ligature wire [Figure 4].

   

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   Figure 4: Instanding tooth (central incisor) ligated with ligature wire

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4. Place stainless steel base archwire above NiTi wire for stability [Figure 5].

   

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   Figure 5: Stainless steel base archwire placed above nickel-titanium wire for stability

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5. After ligating stainless steel base archwire cut and take out the separators [Figure 6].

   

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   Figure 6: Separators removed

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CONCLUSION

In this procedure handling of the piggy back wire becomes easier as it is engaged into the separators, which can be cut and removed after the engagement of the stainless steel base archwire.