Multi-Loop Edgewise Archwire Technique (MEAW) is technique in Orthodontics that employs loops in the wire. This technique was developed by Young H. Kim in 1967 in his practice in Weston, Massachusetts. He introduced the technique to the field of orthodontics in 1987. The technique is used to correct Open bite. Patient's wear elastics from loops in the upper archwire to loops in the lower archwire.
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Loops
The loops incorporated in the wire are called boot loops. They begin distal to the lateral incisors of both the maxillary and mandibular arch. The loops are approximately an inch in length and act to lower the load of the forces. There are 5 loops in each quadrant. The technique originally involved creating horizontal and vertical loops on a 16x22 stainless steel wire in a L-shaped fashion in an 0.018in bracket slot.
Vertical loops have 3 purposes: Lowers load/deflection rate, provides horizontal control and act as break between the teeth which allows each tooth to move independently. Horizontal loops further reduces the load/deflection rate and provides vertical control.
Wires associated with the technique can have a tip-back bend in the posterior which allows the uprighting of the posterior teeth.
Kim's technique was modified by Enacar et al. who used a reverse Niti wire with heavy elastics in the canine region.
Effect on occlusion
MEAW technique tends to steepen the maxillary occlusal plane and flatten the mandibular occlusal plane. This effectively allows the open bite to close as mandible rotates counter-clockwise. Wires used in the technique are 2.5x the length of ordinary archwire and they provide 10-fold reduction in the load-deflection rate. Prior to using this technique, the orthodontist completes all leveling and aligning of the teeth including correct positioning of the brackets.
MEAW can also be used in cases with Class III malocclusion.