Evolution of non-removable orthodontic appliances

Odessa national medical university, Orthodontics department, Odessa, UkraineIntroduction: The father of modern orthodontics is considered to be an U.S. orthodontist E.G. Engle (1855-1930), who authored the most famous classification (1898) and created universal orthodontic device. It was E.G. Engle who organized the first orthodontics association, the first scientific orthodontic magazine, the world's first institute of orthodontics. The main discovery of Professor Engle was the arc (sliding arc, fixed arc, expansive arc) and their use in various devices directed towards the treatment of most types of anomalies. Purpose and Objectives: to analyze comparative assessment between Engle's devices and their contemporary modifications. Materials and methods: Engle’s sliding arc is effective in the sagittal plane. Stationary arc of Engle uses to move individual teeth or groups of teeth. If it is used on both jaws at the same time including elastic traction it can result in saggital, vertical and transversal movement of the teeth. Engle’s expansionary arc is used both in the sagittal and vertical planes. Engle’s device "Pin and tube appliance", (1912)- vertical processes (pin) soldered to the arc, for each tooth bandage ring is fixed with soldered vertical pipe (tube) that is inserted in the vertical processes on wire arc. A.G.Engle constantly modified his devices that created the ejuas-technique. Engle’s device "Ribbon arch appliance" (1920)- specially developed bracket (lock) with a vertical slot in which the ware arch was installed and was fixed by means of bronze pins, the ends of which were bended. In 1928 was designed the original building of locking arrangement-brackets and rectangular arc, i.e. ejuas-technique. Results: Modern non-removable orthodontic appliances are mostly built on the principle of universal Engle’s device: braces (metal, ceramic, sapphire), locks or rings with a lock on molars, orthodontic arc (steel and nickel titanium, round and rectangular), elastic or metal ligatures, elastic traction, as well as the opening and closing springs, and so on