BEGG BRACKET:

Introduced by percival Raymond Begg. Begg one of the students of angle worked
with him from 1924-25. during this time, angle concentrated on ribbon arch appliance and
was working simultaneously on a new mechanism in which he turned ribbon arch bracket by
900 and inverted it “Edge wise” into the brackets with slots in their faces. Fig. 9,3

Dr. Begg and Fredish, were the first to treat patients with this new system of
appliance. After returning to Australia in 1926, practiced edge wise for 2 yrs, dissatisfied
with poor post treatment profiles.
In 1928, he began to routinely remove teeth or reduce tooth substance by “Stripping”
and recognized role of attrition in human dentition. He realized that edge wise mechanism
was not designed to rapidly close extraction spaces and reduce deep over bites.
In 1933, about 3 yrs after switching from rectangular to round wires, he began using
stainless steel ribbon arch brackets with slots gingivally rather than occlusally. Hence the
Begg bracket was a modified ribbon arch bracket.
In 1956 he introduced concept of differential force system.
Modified ribbon arch bracket :
Slot dimensions 0.020x0.045 inch to accept both a 0.020 inch arch wire and when
required a 0.06 inch torquing maxillary invented during 1960. Fig. 71.
Bracket placement :
 Brackets are centered mesio distally on the labial or buccal surface of the teeth with the
base of the arch wire slot 4 mm from the incisal edgesor cusp tips.

The only exception to this vertical placement is the maxillary lateral incisors, brackets on
these teeth are set closer to the incisal edges 3.5 mm, to automatically provide the desired
enthetic shortening of these teeth in relation to their neighbours.

THE VARI-SIMPLEX DISCIPLINE

The key objective of Alexander Discipline is to treat cases with the patient’s face
proportionately balanced, consistent with the skeletal pattern using nonextraction therapy
whenever possible.
Alexander introduced the with the following major goals:
 high-quality results,
 patient comfort - encourage patient cooperation
 reduced chair time, simplicity and control - reduce stress on the orthodontist and staff.
1. "Vari" refers to the variety of bracket types used.
2. "Simplex" relates to the KISS Principle (Keep It Simple, Sir).
 Archwire fabrication is simplified, with first-, second-, and third-order bends
incorporated into the bracket instead of the archwire, which affords fewer archwire
changes, and easier ligation and activation.
 Multilooped arches avoided - time-consuming, create food traps, impinge upon
gingival tissue.
  Ligature hooks and rotational wings used - since soldering hooks to archwire is time-
consuming and reduces archwire effectiveness
3. "Discipline" rather than "Appliance", reflects the idea that the orthodontist must be
knowledgeable in edgewise mechanics and must play an active role in the application of
the appliance to the individual patient.

The Vari-Simplex Discipline treatment philosophy retains three fundamentals of the

Tweed technique:
1. Anchorage preparation (uprighting mandibular first molars)
2. Positioning of mandibular incisors over basal bone
3. Orthopedic alteration with headgear

The objective of treatment is to position the mandibular teeth within the mandibular trough,
with four goals in mind:
1. Incisors upright over basal bone
2. Cuspids not expanded
3. Curve of Spee level

The Concept of the Vari Simplex Discipline (Ormco Corp). The most important
factors in determining the design of the Vari-Simplex Discipline are
 The size and shape of the teeth, especially mesiodistal width and curvature - affects
interbracket width, affects the ability to rotate the teeth and level the arch without using
time-consuming vertical springs, multiloops, or extra archwires.
 Selecting proper bracket to fit size and shape of each tooth influences - ease of ligation
and ability to obtain complete bracket engagement.
 Accessibility of the tooth and its location in a curved or straight area of the arch.
 Patient comfort and frequency of bracket wing breakage.

THE BRACKET SYSTEM

ADVANTAGES:
Bracket selection: the system is composed of number of bracket designs with each bracket
having (0.018”x0.025”) archwire slot.
Interbracket space: Single brackets with wings in lower anterior and buccal segments -
allows maximal interbracket distance - allows engagement of stiffer wires faster - allows
faster alignment, less discomfort and improved torque control.
Rotational control: Rotation wings on cuspids, bicuspids and lower anteriors - provide
improved rotational control and individual activation of involved teeth.
Torque: Each bracket has identical 0.018”x0.025” arch wire slot, final ideal wires
(0.017x0.025”) are used to fill the slot. (for every 0.001” play in the slot 5o torque is lost)
Lower incisor torque: Incorporation -5o torque in the lower incisor brackets - allows efficient
control during levelling, sets anterior anchorage when mandibular posterior protraction is
required as in Class II cases and aids in maintaining the ideal position of these teeth over
mandibular basal bone.
Lower first molar tip: incorporation of –6o tip in the lower first molar - essential to establish
posterior anchorage allowing the mesial aspect of the mandibular molars to be uprighted - can
create additonal arch length in non extraction cases.

BRACKET GENERATIONS:
The five factors related to brackets are:
1. BRACKET SELECTION,

2. BRACKET HEIGHT,

3. BRACKET ANGULATION,

4. BRACKET TORQUE,

5. BRACKET IN OUT.

A pretorqued appliance is superior for quality control, if the brackets are properly placed,
archwire bending is kept to a minimum and the quality of results is more predictable and
consistent.
BRACKET SELECTION: Each tooth has a particular bracket that is most effective.
Twin brackets (Diamond brackets) (Fig. 1)
 used on large, flat-surfaced teeth, the maxillary central and lateral incisors
 horizontal lines are placed parallel to the incisal edge of tooth, and rhomboid design aids
to align the vertical lines parallel to the long axis of the tooth.
 flat surfaces of maxillary centrals and laterals - permit full archwire engagement in the
twin brackets.
 allow 5-6mm of interbracket width - sufficient for flexibility, rotational control, and
torquing.
 provide additional tie wings - for easy initial wire placement
 allow additional handles - for power chains, ligating anterior teeth together, and placing
hooks for elastics
 patient comfort because are smooth and minimize irritation of labial tissue.
Lang Brackets
Lang brackets invented by Dr. Howard Lang.
 used on large, round-surfaced teeth at the corners of the arch - maxillary and mandibular
cuspids (Fig. 3).
 pad contoured to improve fit to the cuspids
 straight wing eliminates interference with complete archwire engagement.
 allows for easy ligation and increased interbracket width.
 the wing can easily be activated for rotational control.
 Twin brackets on cuspids - not the brackets of choice because they interfere with
opposing cusps on occlusion and often impossible to get full engagement of archwire.
Lewis Brackets
 preferred on large, round-surfaced teeth not at the curve of the arch ie; maxillary and
mandibular bicuspids and on small, flat-surfaced teeth ie; mandibular incisors (Fig. 6).
 wedge shape - puts the tie wing close to the tooth occlusally and far out gingivally which
makes it easy to tie, to use as a hook for elastics, and to keep clean.
 fixed-wing single bracket - produces sufficient interbracket width.
 provides maximum rotational control and can be activated for additional rotation.
 saves adjustment time
 less sharp - not necessary to tie in the archwire at the banding/bonding appointment
 need to be concerned with breakage.
 on a badly rotated tooth, the wing in the direction of the rotation can be removed and the
bracket positioned properly, with the remaining wing serving to rotate the tooth into
proper position.
Molar attachments
 Twin brackets with convertible sheaths are used on maxillary and mandibular first
molars. The convertible sheath - easily removed when second molars are banded,
converting the attachment to a bracket.
 Maxillary triple tubes and mandibular double tubes - enables use of utility arches
 Headgears tubes on maxillary first molars placed occlusally - easier to see and access
them; minimizes food traps, oral hygiene problems, and gingival impingement; and
eliminates blockage when omega stops are used.
 Single buccal tubes are used on maxillary and mandibular second molars
 Elastic hooks and lingual hooks are placed on all molar bands.

BRACKET HEIGHT
Each bracket is placed at a predetermined position on each tooth relative to the other
teeth. Placing a bracket higher or lower affects the amount of torque and angulation, and the
incisogingival position of the tooth. Incisors with chipped edges or mammelons should be
recontoured or the bracket height adjusted before bracket placement.
Bicuspid bracket height - used as the key, because of its variable clinical crown height. Its
normal height is 4.5mm. The other bracket heights are calculated in relation to X, as follows.
MAXILLARY ARCH MANDIBULAR ARCH
Centrals X Centrals X – 0.5mm
Laterals X – 0.5mm Laterals X – 0.5mm
Cuspids X + 0.5mm Cuspids X + 0.5mm
Bicuspids X Bicuspids X
1st Molars X – 0.5mm 1st Molars X – 0.5mm
2nd Molars X – 1.0mm 2nd Molars X - 0.5mm

In open bite cases - The treatment plan is to intrude the posterior teeth - decrease the
bracket height on posterior teeth by 0.5mm. extrude the anterior teeth - increase the bracket
height on anterior teeth by 0.5mm

BRACKET ANGULATION, (Tip or Second Order Bends)

Bracket angulation allows the roots to be parallel to each other and the crowns to be
placed in their most esthetic and functional positions.
 Banding (Incisal edge ) Bonding (Long axis)
Maxillary Arch
Centrals 3° 5°
Laterals 6° 8°
Cuspids 6° 10°
Bicuspids and Molars 0° 0°
Mandibular Arch
Centrals 2° 2°
Laterals 2° 2°
Cuspids 6° 6°
Bicuspids 0° 0°
1st Molars – 6° – 6°
2nd Molars 0° 0°

When banding, the band is placed parallel to the incisal edge or occlusal plane of the
tooth, and the bracket is angulated on the band. The incisal edge reference is used for banding
or the long axis reference is used for bonding Diamond brackets.
When banding bicuspids in extraction cases, the band is seated more gingivally on the
side toward the extraction site, to angulate the bracket which provides adequate tip of the
bicuspid root into the extraction site, which, combined with the 6° tip in the cuspid, is
sufficient to parallel the roots.
The mandibular first molars have a - 6° tipback built in to promote leveling and to
gain arch length. There is 0° angulation on the mandibular second molars since rarely need to
be uprighted excessively. If necessary, they can be uprighted by placing a tipback bend in the
archwire when bending the omega stop.

BRACKET TORQUE (Third Order Bends)

Torque values are based on rectangular archwires used to finish well-treated
orthodontic cases. The best results are achieved when an .017" ´ .025" archwire is used to fill
the .018" bracket slots which leaves enough play to permit easy archwire engagement to the
base of the bracket slot, increasing patient comfort.
The rule of thumb: 0.001" of play equals about 4° of torque,
The torques listed considered to be plus or minus 4° due to play.
Maxillary Arch Torque Mandibular Arch Torque
Centrals 14° Incisors – 5°
Laterals 7° Cuspids – 7°
Cuspids – 3° 1st Bicuspids – 11°
Bicuspids – 7° 2nd Bicuspids – 17°
Molars – 10° 1st Molars – 22°
2nd Molars 0° or – 27°

The torque values used differ from commonly used torques in three major respects.
1. The -3° torque on maxillary cuspids - eliminates the need for adjusting the torque later in
treatment.
2. No torque in the mandibular second molar tubes - because omega stops bent out to avoid
impingement on gingival tissue automatically places torque into the second molar.
3. The most important difference: - 5° of lingual crown torque or labial root torque in the
mandibular incisors. Dr. Dwayne Trammell showed that the incisal edge of the
mandibular incisors changed less than 1mm. The root tip moved labially an average of 1
mm.
The negative torque on mandibular incisor brackets and the flexible D-Rect wire begins
torquing control from the initial archwire, plus the space gained through bonding as opposed
to banding, plus the ability to perform selective interproximal enamel reduction - more
borderline cases can be treated nonextraction.
Nonextraction cases with mandibular incisors tipped lingually - the standard 0° torque should
be substituted for the - 5° torque.
Extraction cases use of -5° torque maintains mandibular incisors in the same location.

BRACKET IN OUT (First Order Bends)

A system of interrelated, compensating bracket base thickness replaces the usual first-
order bends or offsets.
Maxillary Arch Base
Centrals Standard
Laterals Thick
Cuspids and Bicuspids Thin
Molars Thinnest
Mandibular Arch Base
Anteriors Thick
Cuspids and Bicuspids Thin
Molars Thinnest