A distalizer including a mesial element and a distal element, and an arm connecting the distal element with the mesial element. The arm includes a ball member at one end and the distal element includes a receptacle for receiving the ball member. A method includes providing the distal element with an opening into the receptacle that is large enough to introduce the ball member substantially without deformation, introducing the ball member into the receptacle, and reducing the opening of the receptacle.