Asymmetric Head Gear: A Comparison between Unilateral Outer Bow Expansion and Unilateral Outer Bow Shortening - an Energy Approach using the Finite Element Method.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the influence of outer bow length difference and unilateral outer bow expansion on the 'asymmetric effect' of the headgear.

METHODS: Twelve 3D finite element models of a headgear with two tubes were designed, which were similar except for the outer bow length or the degree of unilateral expansion in Solid-Works 2011. A 3N force was applied to the outer bow ends in ANSYS Workbench 12.1 and the distalising, lateral forces to molars, moments and the energy of the system were evaluated.

RESULTS: As the degree of unilateral expansion increased, the net differences in all findings were increased up to a point, and then changed. There was an increasing pattern in the length difference group. Buccal movement was observed in the intact/shorter side molar.

CONCLUSION: Unilateral shortened outer bow asymmetric headgears are more efficient and more predictable in clinical application than the unilateral outer bow expansion.