Events

If you want to submit a meeting or an event that is relevant to orthodontic teaching please contact the Secretary (see contact details). It is to the discretion of the Council to decide on placement on the NEBEOP website.


    • Event: NEBEOP Web Academy webinar- 56
    • Topic: Segmented arch technique: statically determined systems
    • Erasmus course: B8 - Biomechanics
    • Speaker:Dr. Paola Merlo, Private practice in Lugano and Locarno, Canton Ticino, Switzerland.
    • Dates: Tuesday 23-06-2026 19:00-20.15hr
    • Moderator: Prof. Ambra Michelotti, School of Orthodontics of University of Naples Federico II, Italy
    • Mode: Zoom webinar. Registration through your program director

    • Abstract
    • This 45 minute webinar explores how statically determined systems are a tool that can make all the difference in many orthodontic scenarios. Making clinical use of statically determined systems—and more specifically, levers—gives the orthodontist the ability to create mechanical systems in which the forces and moments at play are fully known and predictable. With levers, it is always possible to identify the line of action of the force and derive clinical benefit from it, regardless of the points of application and, indeed, often by exploiting them. We will also explore how and why the use of cantilevers is particularly biologically sound and a reliable approach to applying light forces. The specific movements required for intrusion, molar uprighting, torque and the disinclusion of impacted teeth find an excellent resource in statically determined systems, and the use of them is an essential part of the specialist orthodontist’s professional knowledge.

    • Objectives
    • By the end of this webinar, postgraduate orthodontic students will be able to:

    • • Design a force system consistent with the treatment objective.
    • • Conceive of a lever capable of implementing the planned force system.
    • • Understand the significance of determining the mechanical system.
    • • Apply the use of cantilevers for extrusions, molar uprighting and rotations.

    • Short Speaker Bio
    • Dr.Paola Merlo received her Degree in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics in 2001, in 2004 her PhD in Orthodontics at the University of Insubria, and in 2012 Master in "adult patient orthodontics" at the University of Siena. She has been teaching biomechanics courses with Dr. Giorgio Fiorelli since 2013 and she is a speaker in Italy and abroad since 2010. Author of publications in the international orthodontic field, in particular co-author of the latest book by Charles Burstone chap. 16 "Statically Determined Appliances and Creative Mechanics" in "The Biomechanical Foundation of Clinical Orthodontics", published 2015. She is contract lecturer at the School of Orthodontics of the University of Siena since 2017 and Tutor at the University of Insubria since 2021. She works as a freelancer in Switzerland, in Lugano and Locarno. Ordinary member of SIDO, member of SIBOS, member of the Swiss Dental Association (SSO) - Ticino Society of Dentists. Graduated from the Italian Board of Orthodontics in 2021. Graduated from the European Board of Orthodontics in 2025.

    • References
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    • 2. Burstone CJ, Pryputniewicz RJ. Holographic determination of centers of rotation produced by orthodontic forces. Am J Orthod 1980;77(4):396–409. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9416(80)90105-0. PMID: 6928741.
    • 3. Vanden Bulcke MM, Burstone CJ, Sachdeva RC, Dermaut LR. Location of the centers of resistance for anterior teeth during retraction using laser reflection technique. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1987;91(5):375–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/0889-5406(87)90390-8. PMID: 3472456.

    • 4. Nägerl H, Burstone CJ, Becker B, Kubein-Meesenburg D. Centers of rotation with transverse forces: an experimental study. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1991;99(4):337–345. https://doi.org/10.1016/0889-5406(91)70016-P. PMID: 2008893.

    • 5. Meyer BN, Chen J, Katona TR. Does the center of resistance depend on the direction of tooth movement? Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2010;137(3):354–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2008.03.029. PMID: 20197172.

    • 6. Cattaneo PM, Dalstra M, Melsen B. Moment-to-force ratio, center of rotation, and force level: A finite element study predicting their interdependency for simulated orthodontic loading regimens. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2008;133(5):681–689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2006.05.038. PMID: 18456141.

    • 7. Fiorelli G, Melsen B, Modica C. The design of custom orthodontic mechanics. Clin Orthod Res 2000;3(4):210–219. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0544.2000.030407.x. PMID: 11553076.

    • 8. Burstone CJ. Variable modulus orthodontics. Am J Orthod 1981;80:1–16.
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    • 10. Dalstra M, Melsen B. Force systems developed by six different cantilever configurations. Clin Orthod Res 1999;2:3–9.

    • 11. Melsen B, Konstantellos V, Lagoudakis M, Planert J. Combined intrusion and retraction generated by cantilevers with helical coils. J Orofac Orthop 1997;58:232–241.

    • 12. Nelson KR, Burstone CJ, Goldberg AJ. Optimal welding of beta-titanium archwires. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1987;92:213–219.

    • 13. Krishnan V, Kumar KJ. Weld characteristics of orthodontic archwire materials. Angle Orthod 2004;74:533–538.

    • 14. Burstone CJ. Welding of TMA wire. Clinical applications. J Clin Orthod 1987;21:609–615.

    • 15. Wichelhaus A, Brauchli L, Ball J, Mertmann M. Mechanical behavior and clinical application of nickel-titanium closed-coil springs under different stress levels and mechanical loading cycles. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2010;137:671–678.

    • 16. Melsen B, Terp S. Force systems developed from closed coil springs. Eur J Orthod 1994;16:531–539.

    • 17. Ash J, Nikolai R. Relaxation of orthodontic elastic chains and modules in vitro and in vivo. J Dent Res 1978;57:685–690.

    • 18. Andreasen GF, Bishara SE. Relaxation of orthodontic elastomeric chains and modules in vitro and in vivo. Angle Orthod 1970;40:319–328.

    • 19. Lu TC, Wang WN. Force decay of elastomeric chain. China Dent J 1988;7:74–79.

    • 20. Buchmann N, Senn C, Ball S, Brauchli L. Influence of initial strain on the force decay of currently available elastic chains over time. Angle Orthod 2012;82:529–535.

    • 21. Fiorelli G, Melsen B, Modica C. Two-vector mechanics. Prog Orthod 2003;4(2):62–73. PMID: 14985798.

    • 22. Fiorelli G, Melsen B. The "3-D occlusogram" software. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1999;116:363–368.

    • 23. Fiorelli G, Merlo P. Statically determinate appliances and creative mechanics. In: Burstone CJ, Choy K. The Biomechanical Foundation of Clinical Orthodontics; Chicago: Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc. ch 16, pg 369-388; 2015