Abstract: A torqued archwire for use in an edgewise orthodontic bracket system. The archwire is substantially rectangular in cross-section, is made of titanium-based alloy and has a plurality of segments, including an anterior segment which is sized to cooperate with brackets attached to a person's central and lateral teeth. Torque is built into this anterior segment, being maximized at a value of over 21.degree., and preferably between 21-50.degree. at the centerpoint and adjacent the central teeth brackets and then decreasing continuously along the remaining length of the segment. Extending from the respective ends of the anterior segment is a pair of transition segments, in which the torque built into the archwire diminishes to zero. The lengths of the transition segments are such that these "zero" points occur, in use, between the corresponding adjacent lateral and cuspid brackets. Posterior segments of the archwire, which extend distally from the transition segments, generally include no built-in torque.

Abstract: A preadjusted orthodontic bracket system for applying torque force to a selected tooth. The system comprises an archwire of substantially rectangular cross-section having first and second side dimensions and a bracket configured to be attached to the selected tooth and including a substantially rectangular slot which edgewise receives the archwire, the slot having a predetermined width and being formed in the bracket at a built-in torque angle. The smaller of the first and second side dimensions of the archwire is less than full-size for the width of the bracket slot and the built-in torque angle of the slot is greater than a full expression of a target torque angle recommended for the tooth by a selected one of the Roth, Andrews, Alexander, Hilgers, Bench, Ricketts, Cetlin and other known preadjusted orthodontic techniques.

Abstract: A torqued archwire for use in an edgewise orthodontic bracket system. The archwire is substantially rectangular in cross-section, is made of titanium-based alloy and has a plurality of segments, including an anterior segment which is sized to cooperate with brackets attached to a person's central and lateral teeth. Torque is built into this anterior segment, being maximized at the centerpoint and adjacent the central teeth brackets and then decreasing continuously along the remaining length of the segment. Extending from the respective ends of the anterior segment are a pair of transition segments, in which the torque built into the archwire diminishes to zero. The lengths of the transition segments are such that these "zero" points occur, in use, between the corresponding adjacent lateral and cuspid brackets. Posterior segments of the archwire, which extend distally from the transition segments, generally include no built-in torque.