Spreizbewegung

Spreizbewegung is a German term that denotes a movement intended to increase spacing between parts. The word combines Spreizen (to spread apart) and Bewegung (movement) and is used as a generic descriptor in technical contexts rather than for a single, specific phenomenon.

In orthodontics, Spreizbewegung refers to the intentional widening of the dental arches by appliances that apply lateral forces to separate the halves of the upper or lower jaw. This expansion is used to treat transverse deficiencies and crossbites, with clinical outcomes typically including increased arch width and changes to tooth alignment. The process usually unfolds over weeks to months and depends on the patient’s growth status and controlled appliance activation.

In engineering and mechanics, Spreizbewegung describes any mechanism that causes outward spreading of components, such as expanding bars, clamps, or spreaders. The term is also used descriptively in biology or materials science to reference processes that increase spacing between elements, though more precise terms are often preferred in those fields.

Not a standalone historical movement, Spreizbewegung is a technical descriptor whose meaning varies with the discipline.