Clinical treatment with the Begg appliance

In a series of three articles, clinical treatment with the Begg appliance has been discussed. In the March, 1973 article, the standard procedures in the three stages commonly used in the Begg method were illustrated in a series of eight cases showing the wide range of orthodontic treatment possibilities of this method. The February, 1974 article contained a case report that illustrated some of the problems connected with orthodontic observation, diagnosis, Begg treatment, and retention. In this third article, due attention has been given to common problems of the chairside worker as encountered in daily practice. Certain comments have been offered, particularly with regard to child dental care and orthodontic guidance procedures of the growing child. A treatment approach, based on an individual optimum for each patient is discussed, following the course of treatment of three cases (Figs. 1, 2, and 4) with unfavorable jaw patterns and dental problems. These are compared with others having better anatomic proportions (Figs. 3 and 5). In the last case (Fig. 5) diagnosis and treatment planning are once again reviewed. The essential decision to be made for each orthodontic treatment, namely, whether and which teeth must be removed, is discussed and illustrated. In all cases, attention has been given to the portrayal of methods and technical details through the three stages of Begg treatment.