THE EFFECTS OF CANINE BRACKET TORQUE ON TOOTH MOVEMENT: A PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL STUDY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of mandibular canine (Mn3) bracket torque on Mn3 and mandibular 1st molar (Mn6) tooth movements in treatments with premolar extraction. This split-mouth study included 27 individuals in a -11° Mn3 bracket torque study group and a 0° Mn3 bracket torque control group. The initial (T0) and 12th week (T1) lower orthodontic models were prepared and digitised with a 3D scanner and superimposed using the Orthoanalyzer analysis program. Mn3 and Mn6 movements were measured. A Shapiro Wilk test was used to test the data for normal distribution. Intragroup comparisons between the T0 and T1 stages and intergroup comparisons for T1–T0 difference values were made using a paired sample t-test for normally distributed data and the Wilcoxon signed rank test for data not showing normal distribution. The significance level was p < 0.05. Both groups showed significant increases in the distal angular and linear and the buccal linear movements of Mn3, as well as in the occlusal and the lingual linear movements of Mn6. Mn3 and Mn6 movements did not show statistically significant differences between the groups. The increased Mn3 bracket torque did not make a significant difference on Mn3 and Mn6 tooth movements during the initial alignment stage of treatment with premolar extraction.