TORQUE IN

ORTHODONTICS

Presented by – Dr. Kangjam Sylvia

MDS 2nd year 1
 CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Factors affecting expression of torque
3. Different techniques
• Edgewise
• Begg
• Andrew’s straight wire
• Roth
• MBT
• Damon
• Alexander discipline
• Butterfly system
4. Conclusion 2
5. References
INTRODUCTION

3
 What is TORQUE?

Torque is defined as the force used in twisting a wire upon its long
axis.

Rauch (1959) described torque as ‘ a moment generated by the torsion

of a rectangular wire in the bracket slot.’

Erman D. Rauch. Torque And Its Application To Orthodontics. AJODO Volume 1959 Nov (817 - 830).
 5

Lawrence F. Andrews:The six keys to normal occlusion - AJO-DO 1972 Sep (296-309)
LINGUAL TORQUE LABIAL TORQUE

Erman D. Rauch. Torque And Its Application To Orthodontics. AJODO Volume 1959 Nov (817 - 830).
 FACTORS AFFECTING TORQUE

The Bracket Design

• 0.018” SS bracket slot – angle ranges

The Bracket Positioning from 31° to 4.6°
• 0.022” SS bracket slot - 18° to 6°

The Archwire Alloy

Anterior tooth morphology and its effect on torque M. van Loenen, J. Degrieck, G. De Pauw and L. Dermaut.
European Journal of Orthodontics 27 (2005) 258–262
“
TORQUE EXPRESSION
IN DIFFERENT
TECHNIQUES ”

8
 TORQUE IN EDGEWISE
APPLIANCE

Passive Torque
Active Torque

Edgewise third order mechanics

9
 FIRST ORDER

SECOND ORDER

THIRD ORDER
10

Erman D. Rauch. Torque And Its Application To Orthodontics. AJODO Volume 1959 Nov (817 - 830).
 PALATAL ROOT TORQUE

11

Charles Tweed , Clinical orthodontics volume 1. C. V. Mosby Company, 1966

 12

Charles Tweed , Clinical orthodontics volume 1. C. V. Mosby Company, 1966

TORQUE IN BEGG’S
APPLIANCE
Begg introduced Begg’s technique in 1950s

• Alignment
Sta • Elimination of overbite and crossbite
ge • Correction of rotated teeth
I

Sta • Space closure

ge
II
• All tooth root in correct axial position
Sta • Correct axial inclination of incisors
ge
III 13
 BEGG TECHNIQUE

• Use of torquing
auxiliaries

Makes two point contact, one in the

bracket slot and other in cervical area

14

P.R. Begg , Peter Kesling. Begg Orthodontic Theory and Technique. 3 rd edition ,1977.
 BEGG TECHNIQUE

1. Spur design (having 2,4,6 pairs)

2. Mouse trap (lingual root torque)

3. Udder arch (labial root torque)

4. Built in torque

15

P.R. Begg , Peter Kesling. Begg Orthodontic Theory and Technique. 3 rd edition ,1977.
 SPUR AUXILIARY
• The inter spur span is curved as recommended by Kesling.

2 modification
commonly used

• Reverse (labial)
torque on one or both
the lateral incisors
• Torquing boxes on the
canines for lingual
root torque
16

P.R. Begg , Peter Kesling. Begg Orthodontic Theory and Technique. 3 rd edition ,1977.
 MOUSE TRAP AUXILIARY
Pre- Wound Torquing auxiliary, P.R Begg,
1950s

17

D’Souza, Kiran Kumar, Shetty, and Kishore: The Rat Trap Lingual Torquing Auxiliary. JCO/december 2013
LABIAL ROOT TORQUE OF
LOWER INCISORS

18
 REFINED BEGG TORQUE
• Buccal root torque in the molars

• Mollenhauer Algining Auxiliary

19

P.R. Begg , Peter Kesling. Begg Orthodontic Theory and Technique. 3 rd edition ,1977.
 TORQUE IN
STRAIGHT WIRE APPLIANCE
• L.F. Andrew in 1970

20
EFFECTS OF TORQUING PLAY

21
 TORQUE IN BASE VS
TORQUE IN FACE
• The Torque In the base allows the slot of the fully programmed bracket target
correctly on the crown’s mid transverse plane

•Torque in the face causes occluso gingival variation in the placement of slot
point over mid transverse plane

22

Lawrence F. Andrews. Straight-Wire The Concept and Appliance. L.A. Wells Co., 1989.
 ANDREW’S SWA
Crown inclination in SWA

-9 ° -9 ° -7 ° -7 ° -7 ° +3 ° +7 ° Upper

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

-35 ° -30 ° -22 ° -17 ° -11 ° -1 ° -1 ° Lower

23

Lawrence F. Andrews. Straight-Wire The Concept and Appliance. L.A. Wells Co., 1989.
WAGON
WHEEL
EFFECT

24

Lawrence F. Andrews:The six keys to normal occlusion - AJO-DO 1972 Sep (296-309)
 ROTH PHILOSOPHY
• Roth selected brackets from Andrews translation bracket set up and
developed the Roth treatment and prescription.

• Available in 1976 and considered as the second generation of PEA

SWA 7 3 -7 -7 -7 -9 -9

ROTH 12 8 -2 -7 -7 -14 -14

SWA -1 -1 -11 -17 -22 -30 -35

ROTH -1 -1 -11 -17 -22 -30 -30

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Ronald H. Roth. The Straight-Wire Appliance 17 Years Later. Volume 21 : number 09 : pages (632-642) 1987.
 MBT Prescription
• Given by Richard P McLaughlin, John C Bennett, Hugo J Trevisi

Light, continuous forces,

Lace-backs & Bend-backs,
Sliding mechanics

M.B.T Prescription
U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U6 U7 L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7

Tp 4 8 8 0 0 5 5 0 0 3 2 2 2 2

Tq 17 10 -7 -7 -7 -14 -14 -6 -6 -6 -12 -17 -20 -10

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McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi. Systemized Orthodontic Treatment Mechanics. Mosby, 2001

Increased incisor torque in MBT prescription in comparison to SWA

27

McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi. Systemized Orthodontic Treatment Mechanics. Mosby, 2001

 UPPER MOLAR TORQUE
• The upper molars frequently show
excessive buccal crown torque with palatal
cusps “hanging down” which creates
centric, balancing side and working side
interferences

• For this reason it is preferable to use -14°

of buccal root torque in these teeth, as
opposed to only -9° of buccal root torque
in SWA.

28

McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi. Systemized Orthodontic Treatment Mechanics. Mosby, 2001

 LOWER PREMOLAR AND
MOLAR TORQUE

the lingual 25° in the

5° in the 10° in the
lower
crown torque lower lower first
second
is reduced by premolars, molars, &
molars.

Difference
- 10° - 35° +25°
- 20° - 30° +10°
- 17° - 22° +5°
- 12° - 17° +5°
- 6° - 11° +5°

29

McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi. Systemized Orthodontic Treatment Mechanics. Mosby, 2001

 CANINE TORQUE

Square or
1 3 Ovoid Arch

- 7° Torque

Ovoid or
Tapered Arch
1 3

0° Torque

3 1
Tapered Arch

30

+ 7° Torque
McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi. Systemized Orthodontic Treatment Mechanics. Mosby, 2001
 CANINE TORQUE
Square or
4 3 Ovoid Arch

- 6° Torque
Ovoid or
Tapered Arch
4 3

0° Torque

Tapered Arch
3 4

31

McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi. Systemized Orthodontic Treatment Mechanics. Mosby, 2001

 INTERCHANGEABLE UPPER
PREMOLAR BRACKETS
• Similarly, the torque value allows premolar brackets to be
interchangeable, which helps inventory control, too.

32

McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi. Systemized Orthodontic Treatment Mechanics. Mosby, 2001

• Both the upper 1st & 2nd molar brackets
have same in-out, tip and torque
prescription.
– Rotation = 10°
– Tip = 0°
– Torque = -14°
• Torque gets inverted if the bracket is
placed on opposing tooth in the different
arch
• Torque gets inverted if the bracket is
inverted on the same tooth.

33

McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi. Systemized Orthodontic Treatment Mechanics. Mosby, 2001

 ALEXANDER DISCIPLINE

34

R.G. “Wick” Alexander. The 20 Principles of the Alexander Discipline. Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc., 2008.
 MANDIBULAR ANTERIOR TORQUE

• The torque values in the 0.018-inch slot brackets are designed to

compensate for the 5 degrees of archwire freedom when a 0.017 x 0.025-
inch stainless steel archwire is used.

• The -5 degrees of lingual crown-labial root torque compensates between

the 0.017 x 0.025-inch archwire and the 0.018-inch bracket slot.
35

R.G. “Wick” Alexander. The 20 Principles of the Alexander Discipline. Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc., 2008.
 MANDIBULAR POSTERIOR TORQUE
• The mandibular second molar tube has 0 degrees of torque because the desired 15
degrees of lingual crown torque is produced by placing an omega loop between
the mandibular first and second molars.

• The omega loop is bent toward the buccal approximately 15 degrees to clear the
soft tissue, provide easier tieback, and aid oral hygiene efforts.

36

R.G. “Wick” Alexander. The 20 Principles of the Alexander Discipline. Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc., 2008.
 TORQUE IN
SELF LIGATION SYSTEM
Upper Arch
U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U6 U7
High torque 17° 10° 7°
Standard torque 12° 8° 0°- 7° -7° - 18° -27°
Low torque 7° 3°

Lower Arch
L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7
High torque 7°
Standard torque -1° -1° -0° -12° -17° -28° -10°
Low torque - 6° - 6° 37

David Birnie. The Damon Passive Self-Ligating Appliance System (Semin Orthod 2008;14:19-35).
 38

David Birnie. The Damon Passive Self-Ligating Appliance System (Semin Orthod 2008;14:19-35).
 STANDA
HIGH LOW
RD
TORQUE TORQUE
TORQUE
BRACKE Mild to BRACKE
Extraction case BRACKE Excessively
TS moderate TS
with incisor TS proclined upper
crowding or
retraction incisors
spacing

Little change Moderate and

Class II div 2 reqd in anterior severe upper
inclination arch crowding

Anterior open
Mandibular Limited space
bite cases with
lower incisor closure is
proclined
extraction case required
incisors.
Cases where
the crowns of
Lingually
the upper
placed lower
cuspids are
incisors.
palatally
tipped.
39

David Birnie. The Damon Passive Self-Ligating Appliance System (Semin Orthod 2008;14:19-35).
BUTTERFLY SYSTEM

40

S. Jay Bowman. The Butterfly System. 2004, JCO.

 FEATURES

increased maxillary
posterior torque (–14°) and reduced mandibular
posterior torque (–10°) to improve intercuspation
and posterior overjet, flatten curve of Wilson,
and reduce interferences.

Second premolar brackets (+3° tip) improve

posterior marginal ridge adaptation in
nonextraction treatment.

41

S. Jay Bowman. The Butterfly System. 2004, JCO.

Butterfly System’s reversible second
premolar brackets. Placing second premolar
brackets on contralateral sides (–3° tip)
improves root paralleling during extraction
treatment.

Molar attachments have –6° angulation to

account for differences in first molar
marginal ridges.

42

S. Jay Bowman. The Butterfly System. 2004, JCO.

CONCLUSION

43
 REFERENCES

1. D’Souza, Kiran Kumar, Shetty, and Kishore: The Rat Trap Lingual Torquing
Auxiliary. JCO/december 2013
2. McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi. Systemized Orthodontic Treatment
Mechanics. Mosby, 2001.
3. Lawrence F. Andrews. Straight-Wire The Concept and Appliance. L.A.
Wells Co., 1989.
4. Ronald H. Roth. The Straight-Wire Appliance 17 Years Later. Volume 21 :
number 09 : pages (632-642) 1987.
5. R.G. “Wick” Alexander. The 20 Principles of the Alexander Discipline.
Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc., 2008.
6. Lawrence F. Andrews:The six keys to normal occlusion - AJO-DO 1972 Sep
(296-309).
44
7.Erman D. Rauch. Torque And Its Application To Orthodontics. AJODO
Volume 1959 Nov (817 - 830).
8.Anterior tooth morphology and its effect on torque M. van Loenen, J.
Degrieck, G. De Pauw and L. Dermaut. European Journal of Orthodontics
27 (2005) 258–262
9.Kang et al. Three-dimensional relationship between the critical contact angle
and the torque angle. AJODO, 2003. Volume 123, Number
10. S. Jay Bowman. The Butterfly System. 2004, JCO.
11. David Birnie. The Damon Passive Self-Ligating Appliance System (Semin
Orthod 2008;14:19-35).
12.Simon et al.: Treatment outcome and efficacy of an aligner technique –
regarding incisor torque, premolar derotation and molar distalization. BMC
Oral Health 2014 14:68
13. P.R. Begg , Peter Kesling. Begg Orthodontic Theory and Technique. 3 rd
edition ,1977

45
“
THANK
YOU
”

46