Modifications to Increase Efficiency of the Begg Orthodontic Technique

BackgroundOrthodontic appliances that deliver results in a shorter time period without sacrificing the quality of the outcome are preferred. A modified fixed appliance, blending the merits of the Preadjusted Edgewise and Begg appliances was tested.MethodsThirty patients each were randomly assigned for treatment with one of the three fixed appliance techniques after qualifying for the inclusion and exclusion criteria established before the study. Peer assessment rating (PAR) index was used to compare the quality of treated cases. Total time as well as chairside time taken for treatment with the three techniques was also compared. ANOVA and paired student ‘t’ test were used for statistical analysis.ResultThere was a significant reduction in PAR scores with all the three appliances. There was no significant difference in the quality of treatment outcome between the Preadjusted Edgewise appliance (PEA) and the modified Begg appliance. These appliances gave a significantly better improvement as compared to the Begg appliance. Chairside and total time taken was the least with the modified Begg appliance followed by the PEA and Begg appliances.ConclusionThe suggested modification of the Begg appliance is efficient and economical as compared to PEA and Begg appliances in the treatment of cases with anterior teeth proclination as one of the elements of malocclusion.