Article
Orthodontists strive for accurate bracket positioning because it makes achieving a superior occlusion easier. Poorly positioned brackets result in poorly positioned teeth and necessitate many more archwire adjustments. This can lead to an increase in treatment time or a final occlusion that is less than ideal. The orthodontist should assess bracket positioning early in treatment by clinical and radiographic evaluations.
Various techniques for improving bracket positioning have been described:1,2,3,4,5 most of these are useful in improving the vertical positioning of the bracket during bonding. We have modified the Boones gauge to position the bracket ideally in the horizontal plane and along the long axis of the tooth.
Fabrication of the attachment
The attachment is fabricated from 0.020” Australian round AJ Wilcock stainless steel wire (Figure 1). One coil is incorporated to aid in the snug fitting of the attachment to the gauge. The sharp end of the attachment is bent in to a hook (Figure 2).
Clinical use
This modified Boones gauge with the vertical attachment can be used to position the bracket along the long axis of the tooth during bonding accurately. It may also be used in conjunction with a panoramic radiograph for better co-ordination along the root of the tooth (Figure 3).
Advantages
Darker shade of the wire gives an element of contrast in assessing the root positioning of the lighter shade tooth (Figure 3).
The attachment is removable so the same attachment can be used for different heights of Boones gauge.