The Mini-Tubes Flow Jac System®: A new orthodontic

system that revolutionizes aesthetics and the application

of biomechanics in dental movement

Patients demand more care, comfort, and humane treatment in orthodontic treatments

nowadays, and a new minimally invasive system developed by Dr. Joaquin Ariza and his

study group in Bogotá, Colombia promises to be the most aesthetic, hygienic, and

comfortable fixed orthodontic strategy on the market (Fig.1).

With 15 years of clinical studies and analyses and the constant construction of

evidence, the system has already been applied in about 3,000 patients by accredited

professionals in the Flow Jac System research and development group. The results so far

have been exceptionally favorable for patients in a very wide age range, and the system

has been applied both in simple cases of alignment and leveling (Fig. 2) as well as for
malocclusions of high complexity (Figs. 3–5) treated by orthodontists trained in the

management of biomechanics and the clinical aspects of the technique.

The evidence-building on the system includes in vitro studies on typodonts since

2008 [1], case reports in journals, posters and clinical tables at national and international

meetings, and up-to-date research carried out by the FJS study group that is in the process

of being published. In 2020, one of these investigations was a finalist for the IADR Award

for Innovation and Excellence in Orthodontic Research at the latest global research event in

Washington D.C., USA [2].

 Until a few years ago, orthodontic treatments could only be achieved permanently

with conventional appliances (brackets) of different designs or with removable aesthetic

aligners. The Mini-Tubes Flow Jac System® offers a new fixed and intermediate alternative

that combines the benefits of fixed orthodontic systems and the aesthetics and comfort

characteristics of the aligners to offer a more aesthetic, hygienic, and comfortable treatment

for patients, with the performance and predictability of a fixed orthodontic system.
 The versatility, low profile, and different lengths and shapes that the mini-tubes have

covered with various materials, such as resin (Fig. 6), are only described in the patents for
the system (US20180193113A1); with these, it is possible to guide an ideal dental

movement with low forces and high predictability.

The new Mini-Tubes Flow Jac System® described in patents and studies by Dr.

Joaquin Ariza and several specialists who have been reporting the use of mini tubes in

isolated cases for more than 12 years represents a new alternative where the bracket is

replaced by a mini tube (Fig. 7). Different cross-sectional mini-tube shapes, including

round, oval, and D-shaped (Fig. 7), with internal light less than 1 mm, and ranging from

0.017 to 0.040 inch in diameter, replace brackets, whose maximum slot is 0.022 x 0.028

inches; the mini-tubes always comply with minimum invasiveness parameters.

The system protocols describe the use of various gauges, shapes, and alloys of

round, square, and rectangular arch wires which, in combination with the different internal

shapes of the mini-tubes, facilitate the application of certain forces to obtain in-out, tip, and
torque movements (Fig. 8). The treatments are mostly performed with low-caliber super

elastic and low-force arch wires.

The versatility of the system allows the certified clinician to use different protocols

and strategies used in conventional orthodontics appliances, based on the diagnosis and

treatment plan, as well as both round, square, and rectangular wires, according to the

requirements of each case. Also, the clinician can determine their own bonding of the

system, taking into consideration proper performance.

We know that traditional bonding applied to conventional fixed appliances with

predetermined heights does not guarantee the non-reposition of brackets or attachments or

the elaboration of compensatory blends during treatment; however, although the Mini-

Tubes Flow Jac System® can be bonded at these heights, it is to be considered that the

passing of an active wire through these slots would produce an indiscriminate alignment,

turning it into a statically indeterminate system [3 ], leaving behind the opportunity for

individualization provided by deflection bonding in the planned treatment, according to the

diagnosis and goals. The deflection bonding of the Mini-Tubes Flow Jac System® identifies

the proper dental positions so as not to generate unwanted movements, thus providing a

versatile advantage of the system, since it creates the possibility of correcting only what

must be moved with adequate biomechanics and optimizing treatment time. This strategy in
the Mini-Tubes Flow Jac System® is called physiological sequential positioning and

alignment (PASF).

Mini-Tubes Flow Jac System® devices are properly credentialed for use in humans

and have received the Storage and Conditioning Capacity Certificate and health

certifications approved by Invima in Colombia and the FDA in the United States. Also,

worldwide registrations of the system attest to FJS’s level of commitment to innovating and

developing new technologies. FJS currently has two patents in Colombia and three in the

United States [4–8].

Certification is granted exclusively to graduate orthodontists, who must meet the

competencies obtained through completing the basic and advanced courses on the

system’s procedures. The training is given by the research and development group of Mini-

Tubes Flow Jac System® in Colombia and through the Colombian Society of Orthodontics

and may be supported by the scientific trade associations of each country.

References

1. Aragón J, Ariza J, Martinez A, Orjuela G. Comparación del movimiento dental obtenido

por un arco 0.014 copper ni-ti entre dos sistemas: Brackets de autoligado y sistema
Flow Jac en tipodontos electrónicos. J Business Res. 2011; 14(37):30–40.
2. Ariza J, Plaza SP, Tamara JC, Vergara S. Three-dimensional changes assessment of
self-ligating, conventional and mini-tubes systems after orthodontic treatment. Poster
presentado en: IADR General Session. 98th General Session & Exhibition of the IADR;
2020 Marzo 18–21; Washington, D.C. USA.
3. Burstone CJ, Choy K. The biomechanical foundation of clinical orthodontics.
Quintessence Publishing Co., Inc.; 2015
4. Ariza J. (2007). Sistema ortodóncico de alineación sin brackets (Patente CO
No.5820211A1).Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio.
5. Ariza J. (2014). Tubo para ortodoncia. (Patente CO No.7091169A2). Superintendencia
de Industria y Comercio.
6. Ariza J. (2017). Tube for orthodontics. (Patente EEUU No.9615898B2). Oficina de
Patentes y Marcas Registradas de Estados Unidos. https://n9.cl/wricp
7. Ariza J. (2018). Orthodontic system and method of use. (Patente EEUU
No.9907627B2). Oficina de Patentes y Marcas Registradas de Estados Unidos.
https://n9.cl/hozqc
8. Ariza J.(2020). Orthodontic system and method of use. (Patente EEUU
No.10675128B2). Oficina de Patentes y Marcas Registradas de Estados Unidos.