Adams clasp

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Adams clasp
MeSH D016734

An Adams clasp is a component used to retain a custom-made medical device in the mouth. The clasp functions by engaging the mesiobuccal and distobuccal undercuts of a tooth, typically the maxillary first molar [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] and is used to retain a wide range of devices prescribed in a variety of medical and dental specialties. [7]

Contents

Synonyms

The Adams clasp is so named because it was invented by English orthodontist C. Philip Adams. It was originally referred to as the modified arrowhead clasp and has been called the Liverpool clasp because it was developed at the Liverpool Dental School where Adams lectured. [7] The terms Adams crib [8] and universal clasp have also been used. [7]

Material

The component is formed from a length of hard stainless steel wire with Adams universal pliers. The wire for a permanent tooth is typically 0.7mm in diameter but 0.8mm can also used, especially for clasps that are made to fit two teeth. [9] A clasp for a deciduous tooth can be made from 0.6mm [7] or 0.7mm wire [5] [6] and 0.6mm wire has been advocated for a canine. [6]

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References

  1. Adams, C. Philip (1949). "The modified arrowhead clasp". Transactions of the British Society for the Study of Orthodontics: 50–52.
  2. Adams, C. Philip (1950). "The modified arrowhead clasp". Dental Record. 70 (5): 143–144. PMID   24537839.
  3. Adams, C. Philip (1953). "The modified arrowhead clasp - Some further considerations". Dental Record. 73: 332–333.
  4. Adams, C. Philip (1954). "Variations of the modified arrowhead clasp". Transactions of the European Orthodontic Society: 71–75.
  5. 1 2 Adams, C. Philip (1954). "The retention of removable appliances with the modified arrowhead clasp". Transactions of the European Orthodontic Society: 322–324.
  6. 1 2 3 Adams, C. Philip; Kerr, W. John S. (1991). The Design, Construction and Use of Removable Orthodontic Appliances (5th ed.). Bristol, UK: John Wright & Sons Ltd. ISBN   072362111X.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Green, J I J (2014). "Dental materials: The Adams family". BDJ Team. 1 (10): 14–17. doi:10.1038/bdjteam.2014.133.
  8. Littlewood, Simon J.; Mitchell, Laura; Lewis, Benjamin R. K.; Barber, Sophy K.; Jenkins, Fiona R. (2019). An introduction to orthodontics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 219. ISBN   9780192539588.
  9. Orton, Harry S. (1990). Functional Appliances in Orthodontic Treatment: An Atlas of Clinical Prescription and Laboratory Construction (2nd ed.). London: Quintessence Publishing. ISBN   1-85097-012-2.