Variable Torque Brackets Enhance Treatment Outcomes

Many clinicians performing orthodontics for their patients are missing an opportunity to get better results because they are using the same standard Roth prescription on the incisor brackets on every case.

One example of the limitations using standard Roth brackets is simple alignment of a “blocked-out” tooth. Evidence that the root has not adequately moved forward can be seen when the clinical crown is shorter than the contra-lateral tooth. (Figs. 1,2)

For most patients, impeccable resolution of this problem is their chief complaint regardless of other issues in the case. Resourceful clinicians typically attempt to solve this with strategies including bonding brackets upside down or arbitrarily angling placement to enhance the labial root torque. (Thomas, 09) (Fig. 3) While possibly effective, other compensations are typically required later and it can be challenging to remember which cases these changes were made on.