Traction Hook

🦷 What Is a Traction Hook?

A Traction Hook is a small orthodontic attachment used to apply controlled forces to teeth—especially for pulling (traction) unerupted, impacted, or misaligned teeth into proper position, or to provide an attachment point for elastics or other force-applying auxiliaries during fixed appliance therapy.

Unlike simple archwire hooks, traction hooks are bonded or welded directly to teeth or appliances so the orthodontist can apply force from specific directions (e.g., elastics from braces, surgical exposure, or chain traction).

📌 Key Uses

🪥 Orthodontic Eruption of Teeth

• Used after surgical exposure of impacted or unerupted teeth (like canines or incisors)

• Provides a secure point for attaching elastics, ligature chains, or springs so controlled force can be applied to bring the tooth into the arch.

🔩 Force Application

• Acts as a traction anchor when correcting tooth position

• Can be used in lingual (inside) or labial (outside) applications, depending on need.

📏 Typical Description & Specifications

Note: Exact specs vary by maker and model, but these are representative of common clinical supplies.

🔧 Material

• Medical-grade stainless steel (biocompatible, corrosion-resistant) is standard.

• Rarely gold-plated or specialized alloy versions exist (e.g., gold-filled chain hooks). 

⚙️ Design Types

Traction hooks come in a few main styles depending on clinical use:

1. Bondable Traction Hooks

   • Have a mesh or foil base that is bonded to a tooth surface using dental adhesive.

   • Often used with elastomeric chains or ligature wire for pulling forces.

2. Round / Rectangular Caps (Caplin hooks)

   • Small round or rectangular hooks bonded to the lingual or labial surface.

   • Provide a comfortable, low-profile attachment.

3. Traction Hooks with Chains

   • Feature a bonded base + a flexible chain that can be adjusted as the tooth erupts.

   • Chain lengths often ~30–34 mm and can be cut to fit.

📐 Size & Force Interface

• Base Diameter: Usually ~3.5 mm (.140″) for mesh bonded traction hooks.

• Chain Length: Around 31–34 mm, often cut to length as needed.

• Eyelet/Hole Size: Large enough to thread elastic ligatures (steel or elastomeric) or ligature wire.

📦 Packaging & Usage Notes

• Typically sold in packs (e.g., 5–10 pieces) for clinic use.

• Requires dentist/orthodontist bonding with adhesive or welding to band/bracket. 

• Designed for professional use only due to need for precise placement and force control.

🪄 How They Work

Unlike crimpable or sliding hooks that clip onto archwires, traction hooks are fixed attachments that provide a reliable anchor point for orthodontic force, especially when normal brackets/hooks can’t access the targeted tooth — like in impacted canine exposure or deep tissue situations.

🦷 Summary

A Traction Hook in orthodontics is a specialized bondable/weldable attachment that allows controlled force application to move teeth — particularly impacted or hard-to-reach teeth — into proper alignment, using elastics, chains, or ligature wires.