Arch Coordination
The process of ensuring that the widths and shapes of the upper and lower dental arches are compatible so that the posterior teeth occlude correctly after orthodontic treatment.
Full Definition
Arch coordination is a clinical objective and procedural task in orthodontics that involves matching the transverse dimensions and arch forms of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions. During fixed appliance therapy, this is achieved by selecting archwires of complementary widths and by adjusting bracket positions. Poor arch coordination results in buccal or lingual crossbites at the end of treatment. Editors may encounter the term in treatment planning documents, clinical letters, and audit frameworks. 'Arch coordination' should not be hyphenated and is distinct from 'arch development', which implies active expansion.
Usage
Usage note: Do not hyphenate. Distinguish from 'arch expansion', which involves active widening, and 'arch development', which implies growth modification.
In Context
- "Arch coordination was completed using 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless steel archwires prior to final detailing." — Orthodontic progress note
- "The author used 'arch coordination' and 'arch development' interchangeably; the editor flagged these as distinct clinical concepts." — Manuscript review note