Rectangular wire and third-order torque: a new perspective

The Differential Straight Arch technique, more commonly known as "Tip-Edge" (TP Orthodontics Inc.), uses a modified edgewise type bracket to allow differential tooth movement. As bracketed teeth incline toward their finishing positions, the geometry of the arch wire slot causes the vertical slot dimension available to the arch wire to increase. Advantage has been taken of this facility, to evolve an entirely new torquing system for final finishing, during the root correction phase. Instead of increasing rectangular arch wire size to fit the arch wire slot, as with conventional edgewise brackets, the Tip-Edge method reduces the vertical arch wire slot dimension to achieve a precise, three-dimensional relationship to a full-sized rectangular arch wire. The active component is provided by auxiliary springs. The method, which awaits mathematical analysis, is described and illustrated with two case reports.