ARCHFORM

The basic principle of arch form in orthodontic treatment is that within reason the patients original arch form should be preserved. These variations in arch form however are not reflected in the preformed arch wires presently available and it is important to keep in mind during orthodontic treatment that if they are used their shape should be considered a starting point for the adjustments necessary for proper individualization. Today however many normal variations are emphasized more than the specific type of arch forms. Recent studies nullify the existence of a single ideal arch-form template indicating that dental arch forms are highly individual and defining a single generalized shape and using variations of it should be avoided.