A key to the understanding of extraoral forces.

By following certain basic principles, the effects, advantages, and disadvantages of the wide assortment of extraoral assemblies marketed are easily understood. The key to this understanding is the appreciation of the relationship of the line of action of the force application to the center of resistance of the tooth. These principles are discussed in three planes of space: sagittal, coronal, and transverse. Because of the many variables and complexity of mathematically computing the force effects of unilateral or asymmetric extraoral assemblies on molar teeth, a mechanical testing apparatus was designed to accommodate the various face-bows. Not all the designs proved effective, and many of the clinical side effects of the respective face-bow designs became manifest on mechanical testing.