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Updated: May 5, 2026
Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
Published on: February 23, 2024
The timing of significant arch dimensional changes with fixed orthodontic appliances: data from a multicenter
Padhraig S Fleming1, Robert T Lee2, Tom Mcdonald2
1Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom.
Objectives:
To identify the timing of significant arch dimensional increases during orthodontic alignment involving round and rectangular nickel-titanium (NiTi) wires and rectangular stainless steel (SS). A secondary aim was to compare the timing of changes occurring with conventional and self-ligating fixed appliance systems.
Methods:
In this non-primary publication, additional data from a multicenter randomised trial initially involving 96 patients, aged 16 years and above, were analysed. The main pre-specified outcome measures were the magnitude and timing of maxillary intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar dimensions. Each participant underwent alignment with a standard Damon (Ormco, Orange, CA) wire sequence for a minimum of 34 weeks. Blinding of clinicians and patients was not possible; however, outcome assessors and data analysts were kept blind to the appliance type during data analysis.
Results:
Complete data were obtained from 71 subjects. Significant arch dimensional changes were observed relatively early in treatment. In particular, changes in maxillary inter-first and second premolar dimensions occurred after alignment with an 0.014in. NiTi wire (P<0.05). No statistical differences in transverse dimensions were found between rectangular NiTi and working SS wires for each transverse dimension (P>0.05). Bracket type had no significant effect on the timing of the transverse dimensional changes.
Conclusions:
Arch dimensional changes were found to occur relatively early in treatment, irrespective of the appliance type. Nickel-titanium wires may have a more profound effect on transverse dimensions than previously believed.
Clinical Significance:
On the basis of this research orthodontic expansion may occur relatively early in treatment. Nickel-titanium wires may have a more profound effect on transverse dimensions than previously believed.
