<p>After having taught the basic orthodontic techniques for more than 40 years in orthodontics programs, the author could conclude that bending and torsion exercises for rectangular orthodontic archwires have become all but outdated.</p>
<p>The technological innovations have greatly streamlined orthodontic clinical practice, but despite these novel orthodontic techniques, manual skills and proper training in carrying out specific, individualized tooth movements with precision still constitute a practice of excellence.</p>
<p>In any orthodontic technique or philosophy with fixed appliances, there will always come a time when bends will be needed in archwires to obtain excellent results.</p>
<p>Given the lack of information on this topic, provided in a straightforward and orderly manner, this manual intends to fill this gap by focusing on training young, newly graduated orthodontists.</p>
<p>It is hoped that all those who aim to achieve clinical excellence in orthodontics will profit from the information contained in this manual.</p>
<ul class="sumario">
<li><b>Chapter I – Wire bends</b> <span class="numero">8</span>
<ol>
<li>Pliers <span class="numero">9 </span></li>
<li>Cutting steel wires <span class="numero">10</span></li>
<li>Wire straightening <span class="numero">11 </span></li>
<li>Rounding wire edges <span class="numero">12 </span></li>
<li>Pliers, holding or palm gripping <span class="numero">12 </span></li>
<li>Basic bends <span class="numero">14 </span></li>
<li></li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><b>Chapter II – Archwire form </b> <span class="numero">17</span>
<ol>
<li>The importance of form <span class="numero">18 </span></li>
<li>Form of the mandibula dental arch <span class="numero">19 </span></li>
<li>Determining the 5 points <span class="numero">21 </span></li>
<li>Selecting the archwire form to be used <span class="numero">22 </span></li>
<li>Contouring wires into a desirable form <span class="numero">26 </span></li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><b> Chapter III – Torsion or Torque – T-Bends </b> <span class="numero">32 </span>
<ol>
<li>Treatment goals <span class="numero">33 </span></li>
<li>Torque and torsional bends <span class="numero">34 </span></li>
<li>Anatomy of the buccal surfaces of mandibular teeth <span class="numero">35 </span></li>
<li>Torsion / Torque in the mandibular archwire (third order bends) <span class="numero">37 </span></li>
<li>Anatomy of the buccal surfaces of maxilla teeth <span class="numero">42 </span></li>
<li>Torsion / Torque in the maxillary archwire (third order bends) <span class="numero">45 </span></li>
<li>Buccal surfaces of the mandibular and maxillary molars. <span class="numero">59 </span></li>
<li>Other torque or torsional bends <span class="numero">62 </span></li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><b>Chapter IV – Horizontal Plane – H-Bends </b> <span class="numero">67</span>
<ol>
<li>Contour of the buccal surfaces of the teeth <span class="numero">68 </span></li>
<li>Horizontal bends in the mandibular archwire (first order bends) <span class="numero">72 </span></li>
<li>Horizontal bends in the maxillary archwire (first order bends) <span class="numero">96 </span></li>
<li>Maxillary / mandibular archwire coordinating <span class="numero">102 </span></li>
<li>Template for exercises <span class="numero">104 </span></li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><b>Chapter V – Vertical Plane – V-Bends </b> <span class="numero">105</span>
<ol>
<li>Delta shape bend <span class="numero">106 </span></li>
<li>Omega shape bend <span class="numero">110 </span></li>
<li>Teardrop loop shape bend <span class="numero">114 </span></li>
<li>T-shape bend or T spring <span class="numero">118 </span></li>
<li>Curve of Spee and Steps <span class="numero">127 </span></li>
<li>Recording (Readout) maxillary molar inclinations <span class="numero">139 </span></li>
<li>Tip-Back Bends (TBB) <span class="numero">141 </span></li>
<li>Compensating for malpositioned teeth / brackets <span class="numero">146 </span></li>
</ol>
</li>
<li><b>References </b> <span class="numero">150</span></li>
</ul>
