Arch Coordination
The process of matching the widths and shapes of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches so that the teeth interdigitate correctly upon treatment completion.
Full Definition
Arch coordination refers to the clinical and laboratory procedure of ensuring that the transverse width, arch form, and anteroposterior contour of the maxillary and mandibular arches are harmonious, allowing for ideal or functional occlusion at the end of orthodontic treatment. Discrepancies in arch width—such as a narrow maxillary arch relative to the mandibular arch—must be corrected through expansion or constriction before final finishing and detailing. Arch coordination is often performed using coordinated pre-formed archwire pairs or by trimming and adapting individual archwires. Editors should not confuse 'arch coordination' with 'arch length discrepancy,' which addresses mesiodistal tooth-to-arch space mismatch rather than the transverse dimension.
Usage
Usage note: Not hyphenated. Distinguish from 'arch length discrepancy,' which is a mesiodistal, not transverse, measurement.
In Context
- "Arch coordination was verified at the finishing stage by placing coordinated archwires and checking for buccolingual cuspal relationships." — Clinical progress notes
- "Failure to achieve adequate arch coordination prior to debonding resulted in a unilateral buccal crossbite post-treatment." — Case debrief report