New approaches to the Begg technique: Part I - Qualitative Aspects

The development of new materials and wires has allowed the creation of new mechanisms. These include new aligning and torquing wires which provide gentler pressures yielding rapid tooth movement. Different finishing systems are available with different purposes. There has arisen the need to formalise treatment planning using a Visualised Treatment Objective and to document post-treatment changes cephalometrically. These various factors dictate a new look at traclitional Begg teaching.

A single paper cannot provide a comprehensive coverage of an orthodontic technique, so this selected coverage must be supplemented by a formal coverage of the Begg technique in particular, and orthodontic education in general, as found in Master’s courses in Australia. Since this technique part of twin papers is qualitative in nature, the format for rule-based Expert Systems has been utilised, which is discussed in the Editor’s newsletter of this issue.