Orthodontics

Whenever the desired objective of your treatment plan requires bodily tooth movements, significant tooth rotations, root torquing or leveling, aligning, and rotating of entire arches, it is necessary to utilize full-arch fixed mechanics. When observing a well-aligned dental arch, it is apparent that the ideal position of each tooth is defined by three parameters: the “in-out” position; the crown angulation or “tip;” and the crown inclination or “torque.”

For many years, orthodontic brackets were the same for all teeth, making it necessary for the clinician to incorporate three bends for each tooth into the main arch wire -- in order to locate the tooth in its ideal position. A rather complicated and arduous task, this required a great deal of skill, effort, and multiple readjustments of the arch wires throughout the treatment.

As a result of extensive studies conducted in the early 1960s, Dr. Lawrence F. Andrews introduced pre-adjusted “Straight Wire” type brackets. These brackets are specific for each tooth. They have the necessary torque, tip, and in-out position built into the individual brackets. Provided that the bracket is positioned ideally on each tooth in the middle of the clinical crown, parallel to the incisal edge, and along the long axis, the Straight Wire appliance has the capability of finishing treatment with little or no bends in the arch wire. Typically, the only wire bending necessary involves small compensating bends in the arch at the end of treatment for final detailing.

Every year, new wires and bracket systems are introduced in an attempt to make treatment easier and faster. Most of these products are excellent. As with all orthodontic therapy, however, there is usually a learning curve involved. We highly recommend that you take a class in the use of any new product before you use these new tools.

SML can provide you with stainless steel or esthetic ceramic brackets, molar bands with buccal tubes, the series of arch wires of your choice and any Wilson 3D®components necessary for you to completely treat your patient with pre-adjusted appliances. Technical assistance in choosing the right system for your patient is only a phone call away. In addition to supplying a complete kit containing all the necessary straight-wire brackets, arch wires, and accessories on a per patient basis, SML can perform the actual set-up, as well. Each bracket is placed in the correct position on the patient’s model (as per your instructions) and a plastic matrix material is vacuum-formed over the brackets. This creates a tray that holds the brackets for transfer to the patient.