Two-Couple Orthodontic Appliance

Systems: Torquing Arches

Robert J. Isaacson and Joe Rebellato

Twists placed in an arch wire between incisor brackets are often used in an
attempt to obtain root torque. This is only partially effective because of the
equal and opposite reciprocals acting on the adjacent teeth. Alternatively, a
V-bend in a torquing arch, inserted at only the molar and incisor brackets,
may use the bending properties of the arch wire to create dissimilar mo-
ments in a two-bracket system. If the greater moment is present at the
incisors, all of the incisors are rotated en masse in the same direction, with
the associated equal and opposite vertical equilibrium forces directed at the
incisors and molars. The lesser moment at the molar also usually has equi-
librium forces that may reduce or supplement vertical forces at the molar
and incisor depending on the magnitude and direction of the m o m e n t
present. If the arch wire is unrestrained the resulting tooth movement
shows rotation of the incisors around the CRe s and movement of the CRe s in
the direction of the vertical equilibrium force present. The alternative use of
a single force to rotate incisor crowns facially results in a reciprocal distal
force at the posterior teeth and rotation of the incisors with a center of
rotation apical to the CRe s,
Copyright © 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company

h i r d - o r d e r rotations are often r e f e r r e d to v e n t r o t a t i o n a r o u n d the CRes l e a d i n g to

T as torque because they are usually created
by a twist in an arch wire at localized points
greater root m o v e m e n t than crown m o v e m e n t .

between edgewise brackets. 1-3 W h e n an arch

wire activated for torque is seated in two adja-
cent brackets, torsion is created in the wire
p r o d u c i n g equal and opposite t h i r d - o r d e r cou-
ples at the two brackets (Fig I). Thus, an acti-
vation to gain clockwise rotation on one tooth
is accompanied by an equal and opposite ten-
dency for c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s e rotation on the ad-
jacent tooth. 4 In an unconstrained system the
crowns would move apart in a faciolingual di-
rection, but constraints f r o m the arch wire pre-
From the Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry,
Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA.
This work was supported in part by the Medical College of
Virginia Orthodontic Education & Research Foundation.
Address reprint requests to Robert J. Isaacson, DDS, MSD,
PhD, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Medical
College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth Universitv, PO Box
980566, Richmond, VA 23298-0566.
Copyright © 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company
1073-8746/95/0101-000455.00/0
The Torquing Arch
It is possible to avoid pIacing equal and o p p o -
site reciprocals on adjacent teeth while torqu-
ing incisors by treating the incisors collectively
as one big tooth. 5'6 T h e torquing arch is de-
signed to place simultaneous, same-directional
t h i r d - o r d e r couples on one or m o r e incisors
while treating all of these teeth as one big tooth
and one big bracket. 6 T h e second bracket in
this two-couple system is at the molar. T h e de-
sirable low load deflection rate properties o f a
torquing arch are gained by the long span re-
sulting f r o m inserting the arch wire into the
incisor and molar brackets, but not into the
canine or p r e m o l a r brackets as shown in Fig-
ure 2.
Seating an arch wire at two successive brack-
ets creates a two-bracket system that usually
creates couples and tendencies for rotation at
both o f the brackets. With a two-bracket system

Seminars in Orthodontics, Vol 1, No 1 (March), 1995: pp 31-36 31

32 Isaacson and Rebellato

d
ak

M=F.d
Figure 1. A third-order couple creating a moment
for faciolingual rotation. The moment is equal to
the force muhiptied by the distance between the two
forces of the couple and this distance is limited to
tile depth of the bracket slot.
it is possible clinically only to d e t e r m i n e which
b r a c k e t has the l a r g e r m o m e n t . W h e n the wire
is placed o v e r the slots o f the two brackets, the
b r a c k e t slot with the g r e a t e r angle o f e n t r y o f
the wire does show the b r a c k e t with the l a r g e r
m o m e n t . T h e l a r g e r m o m e n t will dictate the
direction of the associated net equilibrium
forces acting at each bracket. 7 10
With a t w o - b r a c k e t system, w h e n the wire is
placed o v e r the slots o f b o t h brackets w h e r e it
will be inserted, the angle o f e n t r y o f the wire
at each b r a c k e t slot is n o t necessarily a reason-
able estimate o f the d i r e c t i o n o f the M c at the
b r a c k e t with the smaller angle o f entry. W h e n
t h e s a m e a r c h wire is i n s e r t e d i n t o a o n e
bracket, o n e - c o u p l e system o r a two bracket,
t w o - c o u p l e system, d i f f e r e n c e s d o exist that
are related to the p r o p e r t i e s o f the wire w h e n
s o m e specific relationships exist b e t w e e n the
two brackets. (See article o n 3-I) f o r details.)
T h e V - b e n d in a t o r q u i n g a r c h is placed
n e a r the incisor to c r e a t e the g r e a t e r m o m e n t
at the incisors (Figs 2 a n d 3). In tile case o f
c r o w n facial/root lingual incisor rotation, the
associated e q u i l i b r i u m forces are extrusive at
the incisor a n d intrusive at the molar.
T h e vertical e q u i l i b r i u m forces at the m o l a r
a n d the incisor are d e c r e a s e d if the m o m e n t s at
the m o l a r tube a n d the incisor b r a c k e t are in
o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n s (Fig 4). T h i s w o u l d be
t
Figure 2. A torquing arch treats the incisor brackets
as one large bracket and is inserted additionally only
into the molar tube. This represents a two-couple
system with tile greater moment present at the in-
cisor that will determine the associated vertical equi-
librium forces shown at the molar and incisor. The
moment at the molar can be in the same or opposite
direction.
equivalent to using an intrusion utility a r c h a n d
a torquing arch simuhaneously. When the M c
at each o f two successive brackets a r e equal a n d
opposite, their associated e q u i l i b r i u m torces at
each b r a c k e t are also equal a n d o p p o s i t e a n d
f u n c t i o n to canceI each o t h e r out. W h e n t h e
M c at each o f two successive brackets are u n -
equal a n d opposite, the l a r g e r o f the two m o -
m e n t s will d e t e r m i n e the d i r e c t i o n o f the asso-
ciated e q u i l i b r i u m forces. T h e m a g n i t u d e o f
the e q u i l i b r i u m force associated with t h e l a r g e r
M(: will be m o d i f i e d by the e q u i l i b r i u m f o r c e s
Figure 3. A .016" x .022" torquing arch inserted
into the molar tubes on a model in an .018" system.
The V-bend does not require a helix when using
TMA wire which is more comfortable for the pa-
tient. The anterior segment of the wire lies gingival
to the incisors, but the vertical force at the incisor is
extrusive.
 Torquing Arches
tl It It
Figure 4. A two-couple system with a torquing arch
bend at the incisor and an intrusion arch bend at the
molar. When the moments at the molar and the
incisor are equal and opposite, the associated equi-
Iibrium force are equal and opposite and function to
cancel each other and no vertical forces are present.
This is a symmetrical V-bend with rotations only
present. If the moments are in opposite directions
and unequal, the larger m o m e n t will prevail and will
dictate the direction of the associated equilibrium
forces.
a s s o c i a t e d with t h e s m a l l e r M c at e a c h t o o t h .
E a c h b r a c k e t will feel t h e n e t d i f f e r e n c e . T h e
magnitude and direction of the equilibrium
f o r c e s a s s o c i a t e d with t h e s m a l I e r M c will v a r y
depending on the wire configuration and the
l o c a t i o n o f t h e V - b e n d a l o n g t h e wire.
T h e v e r t i c a l e q u i l i b r i u m f o r c e s at t h e m o l a r
a n d t h e i n c i s o r a r e e n h a n c e d if t h e m o m e n t s at
t h e m o l a r t u b e a n d t h e i n c i s o r b r a c k e t a r e in
t h e s a m e d i r e c t i o n ( F i g 5). T h i s w o u l d b e
e q u i v a l e n t to u s i n g a n extru~fion utility t y p e a r c h
tt II 1!
Figure 5. A two-couple system with a torquing arch
bend at the incisor and an extrusion arch bend at
the molar. When the moments are in the same di-
rection, the associated equilibrium forces are addi-
tive. This is a step bend with increased vertical
forces present.
33
and a torquing arch simultaneously. When the
M c at two successive b r a c k e t s a r e in t h e s a m e
d i r e c t i o n , t h e i r a s s o c i a t e d e q u i l i b r i u m f o r c e s at
b o t h b r a c k e t s a r e also in t h e s a m e d i r e c t i o n .
E a c h t o o t h will feel tile n e t r e s u l t o r t h e s u m o f
the forces present. This configuration of a wire
is s o m e t i m e s r e f e r r e d to as a s t e p b e n d a n d is
basically two V - b e n d s c r e a t i n g m o m e n t s in t h e
same direction.
T o r o t a t e i n c i s o r s a r o u n d t h e CR~ a n d a d -
vance incisor crowns, the torquing arch wire
m u s t b e D e e to slide t h r o u g h t h e m o l a r t u b e .
I n a t w o - c o u p l e s y s t e m , if t h e w i r e is f r e e to
slide in t h e m o l a r t u b e , t h e i n c i s o r s will r o t a t e
a r o u n d t h e i r Ca,, S a n d t h e C R ~ S will e x t r u d e in
the direction of the vertical equilibrium force
s i m i l a r to t h e m o l a r with a n u n c i n c h e d i n t r u -
sion a r c h in a o n e - c o u p l e system. W h e n t h e
w i r e is c i n c h e d at t h e m o l a r , a n e w f o r c e s y s t e m
is a d d e d a n d t h e i n c i s o r c r o w n is r e s t r a i n e d
from advancing. The center of rotation of the
i n c i s o r will m o r e n e a r l y a p p r o x i m a t e the
b r a c k e t , o n l y i n c i s o r l i n g u a l r o o t t o r q u e will
o c c u r a n d t h e Cats will e x t r u d e in t h e d i r e c t i o n
o f t h e v e r t i c a l e q u i l i b r i u m f o r c e , as well as
m o v e l i n g u a l l y in t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e f o r c e re-
s u l t i n g f r o m t h e c i n c h ( F i g 6). T h i s n e w f o r c e is
d e r i v e d f r o m t h e facial c r o w n r o t a t i o n b e i n g
r e s i s t e d by t h e c i n c h e d a r c h w i r e with a r e s u l t -
i n g e q u a l a n d o p p o s i t e l i n g u a l f o r c e at t h e in-
cisor a n d m e s i a l f o r c e at t h e m o l a r c i n c h , t h e
r o w - b o a t effect.
W h e n t h i r d - o r d e r c o u p l e s f o r c r o w n facial/
r o o t l i n g u a l m o v e m e n t a r e a p p l i e d to all o f t h e
i n c i s o r b r a c k e t s , t h e facial c r o w n m o v e m e n t
t $
Figure 6. A torquing arch as shown in Figure 2, but
with the arch wire cinched. T h e cinch introduces a
new horizontal force system that prevents the inci-
sor crown from rotating forward and puts a mesial
force on the molar bracket.
34 Isaacson and Pebe[la*o

a p p e a r s clinically to m a n i f e s t m o r e rapidly o f torquing arch mechanics. T h i s extrusion o f

than the lingual root m o v e m e n t . This is be-
cause the incisal edge is f u r t h e r away f r o m the
CR~~ than the root a p e x and, for any given
n u m b e r o f d e g r e e s o f rotation, the incisal edge
will m o v e a g r e a t e r linear distance than the
root apex. T h e a p p a r e n t rapidity o f incisor
crown a d v a n c e m e n t with rotation a r o u n d the
CRe s makes the t o r q u i n g arch a valuable tool
for a n t e r i o r crossbite correction.
W h e n a t o r q u i n g arch is left in place for
several months, s o m e incisor s e c o n d - o r d e r ro-
tations also occur and the roots will diverge
distally. T h i s is a function o f the torsion in a
3-D wire a n d can be corrected with a n o r m a l
continuous arch wire as soon as the torquing
arch is r e m o v e d .
Figure 7 shows an e x a m p l e o f the advance-
m e n t o f m a x i l l a r y incisor crowns using an
u n c i n c h e d t o r q u i n g arch. This was a true an-
terior crossbite as evidenced by the absence of
any a n t e r i o r shift o f the mandible.
In the case o f the patient in Figure 7, the
a n t e r i o r crossbite was corrected in 3 m o n t h s
using an u n c i n c h e d t o r q u i n g arch wire. Fol-
lowing incisor correction, the arch wire was
cinched for t h r e e additional m o n t h s in an ef-
fort to use the rowboat effect to i m p r o v e the
maxillary m o l a r Class I I I relationship. T h e lat-
ter e f f o r t was not successful as j u d g e d by the
u n c h a n g e d buccat s e g m e n t relationship and
the Class I I I r e m a i n e d dentally c o m p e n s a t e d .
T h e total t r e a t m e n t time was 6 months.
T h e CR~ o f the incisors o f the patient in
Figure 7 was e x t r u d e d , but the incisor overbite
did not significantly increase. This is a com-
m o n clinical o c c u r r e n c e and the usual o u t c o m e
the CRes does function to increase dental over-
bite. H o w e v e r , the r o t a t i o n o f the incisors
a r o u n d their CRe s will m o v e the incisal e d g e
away f r o m the occlusal plane e v e n m o r e rap-
idly usually resulting in a r e d u c t i o n in clinical
overbite. T h e a m o u n t o f overbite reduction is
a function o f the initial inclination o f the inci-
sor, ie, the m o r e facially inclined the incisor is
at the start o f t r e a t m e n t , the m o r e clinical bite
o p e n i n g will occur with each d e g r e e o f rota-
tion.
W h e n i n c i s o r c r o s s b i t e c o r r e c t i o n by a
torquing arch wire results in insufficient over-
bite or o p e n bite, a o n e - c o u p l e extrusion arch
or u p s i d e - d o w n intrusion arch is very effective
for closing the o p e n bite. T h i s requires an-
o t h e r m o n t h or two of t r e a t m e n t time.
If, instead of a one-couple system, the ex-
trusion arch wire is inserted into the incisor
brackets, it becomes a two-couple system. Un-
d e r these c o n d i t i o n s , the f u n c t i o n s o f the
torquing arch and the extrusion arch can be
c o m b i n e d in the same wire as shown in Figure
5. T h e anterior b e n d gives the rotation o f the
torquing arch and the b e n d at the m o l a r gives
the rotation of the extrusion arch. Because the
m o m e n t s created at the m o l a r a n d the incisor
are in the same direction, the wire functions
like a step b e n d and the equilibrium forces are
additive.
A n o t h e r very effective application o f the
torquing arch is shown by the patient in Figure
8. P r e m a t u r e loss o f m a n d i b u l a r p r i m a r y ca-
nines resulted in lingual tipping o f the lower
incisors creating a large overjet a n d increased
overbite. Because the patient showed excessive

Figure 7. Treatment of a dental Class III with acceptable facial esthetics, (A) Centric relations at the time
treatment was started. (B) After fi months of treatment. An uncinched torquing arch was placed for B months
that rotated the incisors around their CR~Sand out of crossbite. At that point the arch was cinched to attempt
to improve the Class III posterior dental relationship that had no demonstrable effect in three additional
months.
 Torquing Arches 35

J,a,

Figure 8. A phase I treatment. (A,C,E) Pretreatment records showing lower primary canines missing, sig-
nificant lower arch perimeter deficiency and deep overbite to the palate with an end on molar relationship.
(B,D,F) Records following upper uncinched intrusion arch and lower torquing arch treatment. The overbite
is reduced, Class I molars are present and the lower arch perimeter has been restored for eruption of the
remaining permanent teeth. This type of correction is commonly accomplished in less than 1 year of
treatment. A lower lingual holding arch is required.

lip-to-tooth, an u p p e r intrusion arch was used
concurrently with a lower t o r q u i n g arch.
T h e u p p e r intrusion arch was used to im-
p r o v e lip-to-tooth esthetics and to contribute to
overbite correction. It was tied distal to the lat-
eral incisors to r e d u c e the potential for a M r
f u r t h e r rotating the incisors in a crown facial/
root lingual direction. T h e a r c h wire was not
cinched because the molars were to tip distally
to achieve a Class I m o l a r relationship.
W h e n r o t a t i n g m a n d i b u l a r incisors in a
crown facial/root lingual direction as s h o w n in
Figure 8, an i m p o r t a n t d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n a
t o r q u i n g arch a n d a single force (such as an
36 Isaacson and Rebellato
o p e n coil spring) is the absence o f any recip-
rocal distal force on the molars with the use o f
the t o r q u i n g arch. In addition, the incisor
tooth m o v e m e n t resulting f r o m a couple is dif-
ferent f r o m that resulting f r o m a force. With
an u n c i n c h e d lower t o r q u i n g arch, the lower
incisors rotate a r o u n d the CReS and the CReS
extrudes in the direction o f the vertical associ-
ated equilibrium force. With a force derived
f r o m an o p e n coil, the resulting tooth move-
m e n t will be a rotation a r o u n d a m o r e apically
located point with the CRes moving anteriorly.
This creates a greater chance for a force to
move roots t h r o u g h the buccal plate or soft
tissue d e h i s c e n c e t h a n rnight o c c u r with a
t o r q u i n g arch and incisor rotation a r o u n d the
CRes.
T h e t o r q u i n g arch was extrusive to the CRes
of the lower incisors, but the overbite did not
increase because of the crown facial/root lin-
gual incisor rotation in the lower arch and the
incisor intrusion that o c c u r r e d in the u p p e r
arch from the intrusion arch. T h e result was
that g o o d overbite and overjet, g o o d lower
arch p e r i m e t e r and Class I m o l a r relations
were established in about 1 year o f total treat-
ment. A lingual arch was placed to hold the
now sufficient lower arch perimeter and min-
imal Phase 2 t r e a t m e n t is anticipated.
As with the intrusion arch, there are occa-
sions to invert the t o r q u i n g arch for use as an
u p s i d e - d o w n t o r q u i n g arch. For example, lin-
gually positioned maxillary lateral incisors may
have b e e n p r e v i o u s l y c o r r e c t e d by t i p p i n g
crowns facially and the root apices may still be
p o s i t i o n e d palatally. A n i n v e r t e d t o r q u i n g
arch, e n g a g i n g only the brackets on these two
lateral incisors, will provide a crown lingual/
root facial m o m e n t . T h e associated equilib-
rium forces will be intrusive at the incisor and
extrusive at the molar.
Summary
T h i r d - o r d e r r o t a t i o n s , a c t i v a t e d by i n t e r -
bracket wire twists, have a high load deflection
rate, a short range, and exert equal and o p p o -
site m o m e n t s on adjacent teeth. In contrast, a
t o r q u i n g arch uses m o r e o f the b e n d i n g prop-
erties o f the arch wire to create same direction
t h i r d - o r d e r couples at the brackets o f incisor
teeth. Asymmetrical V bends can be placed
near the incisor brackets so as to create mo-
ments that are not equal and opposite at the
incisors and molars. Bends are far m o r e easily
visualized and m e a s u r e d than are torsional ac-
tivations.
A t o r q u i n g arch simultaneously advances
one or m o r e incisor crowns without the distally
directed reciprocal force associated with sin-
gle-force systems such as coils. In addition, a
t o r q u i n g a r c h r e s u l t s in i n c i s o r r o t a t i o n
a r o u n d the CRes with extrusion o f the CRes in
the direction o f the associated e q u i l i b r i u m
force. A single force, such as a coil spring, ro-
tates the incisors a r o u n d a point apical to the
CRes and the CRe~ moves anteriorly in the di-
rection o f the single force.
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