Prioritising NHS dental treatments: a mixed-methods study.

Objectives To determine the priorities of patients and dental professionals concerning NHS dental treatments, the factors influencing prioritisation and the willingness to contribute towards the cost of NHS dental treatments.Methods Focus groups and interviews involving patients and practitioners informed the development of a piloted questionnaire concerning the priorities for NHS dental treatments. Patients attending three purposively selected dental settings in London and Kent, as well as dental professionals working within a large London dental hospital were recruited to participate in this initial qualitative phase. Qualitative interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the framework approach. Subsequently, another sample of patients and dental professionals within the three dental settings and dental hospital completed a questionnaire. Regression models were used to determine the predictors of perceived priorities and willingness to contribute to NHS dental costs based on the questionnaire data.Results Three focus groups (n = 9) and one semi-structured interview with patients and one focus group of dental professionals (four general dental practitioners and two dental nurses) were conducted. Participants prioritised NHS dental treatments that improve quality of life and social wellbeing. Factors influencing the prioritisation of NHS dental treatments included: individual responsibility for oral health care; concerns about self-esteem and confidence; age-related issues; and the role of treatment in prevention of future dental and general health problems, with financial concerns underpinning these themes. Out of the 455 questionnaires completed, 414 (383 patients and 31 general dental practitioners) were included in the analysis. The provision of emergency dental treatment for children was afforded the highest priority among both patients (59%) and dentists (74.2%). Both groups of participants felt that full funding for most NHS dental treatments should be prioritised for children (<18 years old) rather than adults (p <0.05).Conclusion Participants prioritised NHS dental treatments that would improve social wellbeing and quality of life, with an emphasis on full coverage for NHS treatment for children and young people. Policy makers should account for these preferences in the planning of NHS dental services.

Factors affecting willingness to pay for NHS-based orthodontic treatment.

Objective To assess factors affecting willingness to pay for orthodontic treatment.Methods An online discrete choice experiment and willingness to pay study was conducted on a convenience sample of 250 participants aged 16 and above over a four-month period. Participants completed a series of stated-preference tasks, in which they viewed choice sets with two orthodontic treatment options involving different combinations of attributes: family income; cost to patient; cause of problem; prevention of future problems; age; severity of the problem; and self-esteem/confidence.Results Family income, cost to patient, cause of the problem, age and self-esteem/confidence were the most important attributes influencing participants' decisions to have orthodontic treatment. Participants felt that free NHS-based orthodontic provision should be prioritised for those under 18, regardless of family income, for those with developmental anomalies, particularly where self-esteem and confidence are affected, with younger participants (aged 16-24 years) strongly preferring full NHS funding for those under 18 years old (p = 0.007, 95% CI: 0.57-0.09) who dislike smiling in public, especially where self-esteem and confidence are impaired (p = 0.002, 95% CI: 0.16-0.71). Participants with high annual income had the highest preference for the NHS to fund treatment regardless of income (p = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.13-1.47) and placed an onus on addressing developmental anomalies (p = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.22-1.15). In total, 159 (63.6%) of those who would undergo treatment were willing to pay for it, with the majority (88%) open to paying up to £2,000 and only three participants stating the NHS should not contribute towards the cost of orthodontic treatment.Conclusions Based on this pilot study, key factors influencing the decision to undergo treatment included family income, cost, the aetiology of malocclusion, age and self-esteem/confidence. It was felt that free NHS-based treatment should be given priority where self-esteem and confidence are impaired among young people. Further research to inform the priorities underpinning the provision of dental care and orthodontic treatment within the NHS is required.

Long-term occlusal and soft-tissue profile outcomes after treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion with fixed appliances.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to determine which factors were predictive of good long-term outcomes after fixed appliance treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion. METHODS: Two hundred seven patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion were examined in early adulthood at a mean of 4.6 years after treatment with fixed appliances. The peer assessment rating index was used to evaluate dental alignment and occlusal relationships. The soft-tissue profile was assessed with the Holdaway angle. RESULTS: Logistic regression identified 3 pretreatment variables that were predictive of a good facial profile (Holdaway angle) at recall: the lower lip to E-plane distance (P <0.001; smaller distance behind the E-plane means a better outcome), ANB angle (P = 0.001; smaller ANB means a better outcome), and extraction pattern (P = 0.026). Linear regression analysis showed that 2 pretreatment variables were predictive of a favorable PAR score at recall: SNB angle (P = 0.001; larger SNB means a better outcome) and extraction pattern (P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Three pretreatment cephalometric measures (lower lip to E-plane distance, ANB angle, and SNB angle) were predictive of the outcome in the treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion. The extraction pattern was also found to be a predictor of outcome.

Self-perception of dentofacial attractiveness among patients requiring orthognathic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the self-perception of dental and facial attractiveness among patients requiring orthognathic surgery is no different from that of control patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Happiness with dental and facial appearance was assessed using questionnaires completed by 162 patients who required orthognathic treatment and 157 control subjects. Visual analog scale, binary, and open response data were collected. Analysis was carried out using a general linear model, logistic regression, and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Orthognathic patients were less happy with their dental appearance than were controls. Class II patients and women had lower happiness scores for their dental appearance. Among orthognathic patients, the "shape" and "prominence" of their teeth were the most frequent causes of concern. Older subjects, women, and orthognathic patients were less happy with their facial appearance. Class III orthognathic patients, older subjects, and women were more likely to have looked at their own face in profile. A greater proportion of Class II subjects than Class III subjects wished to change their appearance. CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis is rejected. The findings indicate that women and patients requiring orthognathic surgery had lower levels of happiness with their dentofacial appearance. Although Class II patients exhibited the lowest levels of happiness with their dental appearance, there was some evidence that concerns and awareness about their facial profile were more pronounced among the Class III patients.

Psychological status of patients referred for orthognathic correction of skeletal II and III discrepancies.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the extent of psychological problems among patients who require orthognathic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five aspects of psychological functioning were assessed for 162 patients who required orthognathic treatment and compared with 157 control subjects. RESULTS: Analysis of variance did not detect any significant difference in the five psychological scores recorded for the skeletal II, skeletal III, and control groups. The proportion of subjects with one or more psychological measure beyond the normal range was 27% for skeletal II subjects, 25% for skeletal III subjects, and 26% for control subjects. One skeletal II subject (1.5%), three skeletal III subjects (3%), and five control subjects (3%) required referral for psychological counseling. CONCLUSIONS: The orthognathic patients did not differ significantly from the control subjects in their psychological status.

Medical disorders and orthodontics.

The orthodontic treatment of patients with medical disorders is becoming an increasing aspect of modern day practice. This article will draw attention to some of the difficulties faced when orthodontic treatment is provided and will make recommendations on how to avoid potential problems.

Parent reports of the psychosocial functioning of children with cleft lip and/or palate.

OBJECTIVES: (1) to determine the opinion of parents regarding the psychosocial functioning of their child with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP); (2) to identify predictors of psychosocial functioning; and (3) to determine the level of agreement between children with CLP and their parents. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty-nine parents of children with CLP and 96 parents of children without CLP participated in this cross-sectional study. OUTCOME MEASURES: Parental opinion of the child's self-esteem, anxiety, happiness, and problems caused by facial appearance were assessed using visual analogue scales. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist and were interviewed. RESULTS: Children with CLP were more anxious (p < 0.05), less happy with their appearance (p < 0.001), and in general (p < 0.05) had lower self-esteem (p < 0.05) and greater behavioral problems (p < 0.001) compared with non-CLP children. Parents reported that their child with CLP was teased more often (p < 0.001) and was less satisfied with his/her speech (p < 0.01) compared with reports of parents in the control group. A number of factors affected parents' ratings of their child's psychosocial functioning (presence of CLP, appearance happiness, previous history of CLP, and visibility of scar). Children who had been teased were more anxious (p < or = 0.01), less happy with their appearance (p < 0.001) and had greater behavioral problems (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Parents of children with CLP reported various psychosocial problems among their children. Parents considered children who had been teased to have greater psychosocial problems.

A cephalometric study of Class II malocclusions treated with mandibular surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Class II malocclusion is often associated with retrognathic mandible. Some of these problems require surgical correction. The purposes of this study were to investigate treatment outcomes in patients with Class II malocclusions whose treatment included mandibular advancement surgery and to identify predictors of good outcomes. METHODS: Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalometric radiographs of 90 patients treated with mandibular advancement surgery by 57 consultant orthodontists in the United Kingdom before September 1998 were digitized, and cephalometric landmarks were identified. Paired samples t tests were used to compare the pretreatment and posttreatment cephalometric values for each patient. For each cephalometric variable, the proportion of patients falling within the ideal range was identified. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of achieving ideal range outcomes for the key skeletal (ANB and SNB angles), dental (overjet and overbite), and soft-tissue (Holdaway angle) measurements. RESULTS: An overjet within the ideal range of 1 to 4 mm was achieved in 72% of patients and was more likely with larger initial ANB angles. Horizontal correction of the incisor relationship was achieved by a combination of 75% skeletal movement and 25% dentoalveolar change. An ideal posttreatment ANB angle was achieved in 42% of patients and was more likely in females and those with larger pretreatment ANB angles. Ideal soft-tissue Holdaway angles (7 degrees to 14 degrees ) were achieved in 49% of patients and were more likely in females and those with smaller initial SNA angles. Mandibular incisor decompensation was incomplete in 28% of patients and was more likely in females and patients with greater pretreatment mandibular incisor proclination. Correction of increased overbite was generally successful, although anterior open bites were found in 16% of patients at the end of treatment. These patients were more likely to have had initial open bites. CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular surgery had a good success rate in normalizing the main dental and skeletal relationships. Less ideal soft-tissue profile outcomes were associated with larger pretreatment SNA-angle values, larger final mandibular incisor inclinations, and smaller final maxillary incisor inclinations. The use of mandibular surgery to correct anterior open bite was associated with poor outcomes.

Self-reports of psychosocial functioning among children and young adults with cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional study was employed to determine the psychosocial effects of cleft lip and/or palate among children and young adults, compared with a control group of children and young adults without cleft lip and palate. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 160 children and young adults with cleft lip and/or palate and 113 children and young adults without cleft lip and/or palate. All participants were between 8 and 21 years of age. OUTCOME MEASURES: Psychological functioning (anxiety, self-esteem, depression, and behavioral problems) was assessed using validated psychological questionnaires. Happiness with facial appearance was rated using a visual analog scale. Social functioning, including experience of teasing/bullying and satisfaction with speech, was assessed using a semistructured interview. RESULTS: Participants with cleft lip and/or palate reported greater behavioral problems (p < .001) and more symptoms of depression (p < .01); they were teased more often (p < .001) and were less happy with their facial appearance (p < .01) and speech (p < .001), compared with controls. There were no significant difference between subjects with cleft lip and/or palate and subjects without cleft lip and/or palate in terms of anxiety (p > .05) or self-esteem (p > .05). Having been teased was a significant predictor of poor psychological functioning, more so than having a cleft lip and/or palate per se (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Teasing was greater among participants who had cleft lip and/ or palate and it was a significant predictor of poorer psychosocial functioning. Children and young adults with cleft lip and/or palate require psychological assessment, specifically focusing on their experience of teasing, as part of their routine cleft care.

Class III surgical-orthodontic treatment: a cephalometric study.

INTRODUCTION: In this retrospective study, we investigated treatment outcomes in Class III surgical-orthodontic patients. METHODS: Records of 151 consecutively completed Class III surgical-orthodontic patients (overjet, 0 mm or less) were obtained from 87 consultant orthodontists in the United Kingdom. Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalometric radiographs were analyzed. RESULTS: Bimaxillary surgical patients (75%) had more negative initial ANB-angle values and smaller initial SNA-angle values than those treated with single-jaw mandibular surgery. Mandibular surgery patients (15%) had greater pretreatment mandibular prominence (SNB angle) than maxillary patients. Maxilla-only patients (10%) had lower negative initial overjet values than bimaxillary patients. An overjet within the ideal range of 1 to 4 mm was achieved in 83% of the patients. Logistic regression identified no predictors of ideal overjet outcome. SNB angle was corrected to within the ideal range of 75 degrees to 81 degrees in 44% of the patients. This was less likely in those treated with maxillary surgery only and larger initial SNB-angle values. An ideal posttreatment ANB angle (1 degrees to 5 degrees) was achieved in 40% of the patients and was more likely in those with bimaxillary surgery, lower negative pretreatment ANB angles, and presurgical orthodontic extractions in the maxillary arch. Ideal posttreatment unadjusted Holdaway angles (7 degrees to 14 degrees) were achieved in 59% of the patients and were more likely when single-jaw mandibular surgery was used. Incisor decompensation was incomplete in 46% of the patients and was associated with mandibular arch extractions. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical-orthodontic treatment had a high success rate in normalizing the overjet and soft-tissue profile to within ideal ranges in Class III patients. Bimaxillary surgery was the most frequently used procedure and was associated with an increased likelihood of an ideal correction of the anteroposterior skeletal discrepancy.

Age-related changes in sagittal relationship between the maxilla and mandible.

The aim of the study was to assess age-related changes in sagittal jaw relationship during pre-pubertal and pubertal development on the basis of angular [ANB, anteroposterior dysplasia indicator (APDI) and A-B plane angle] and linear (Wits, AF-BF, App-Bpp, and App-Pgpp) measurements. Lateral cephalograms of orthodontically untreated subjects were evaluated at 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 years of age. Cephalometric standards and age-related changes were determined on the basis of Class I subjects with a good occlusion (n = 18, 10 males and 8 females). With respect to changes related to growth, the main findings were, in both genders, a statistically significant age-related decrease in ANB angle, App-Bpp and App-Pgpp, a significant increase in APDI, but no age-related change in Wits. A reduction of sagittal jaw distance during pre-pubertal and pubertal development was observed arising from a relative dominance of sagittal mandibular growth. For an evaluation of differences concerning jaw relationship in Class II subjects, a group with Class II division 1 malocclusions (n = 17) and a group with Class II division 2 malocclusions (n = 12 were compared with two control groups, i.e. the good occlusion group and a Class I group (n = 37). Conclusions about the sagittal discrepancy in Class II division 1 and Class II division 2 subjects depended on the geometric reference used in the various parameters, and further research is called for with respect to the diagnostic performance of the various measurements. Differences between Class II subjects and controls present at 15 years of age were already established at 7 years of age, but were less pronounced.

The psychosocial effects of cleft lip and palate: a systematic review.

This systematic review examined the published scientific research on the psychosocial impact of cleft lip and palate (CLP) among children and adults. The primary objective of the review was to determine whether having CLP places an individual at greater risk of psychosocial problems. Studies that examined the psychosocial functioning of children and adults with repaired non-syndromal CLP were suitable for inclusion. The following sources were searched: Medline (January 1966-December 2003), CINAHL (January 1982-December 2003), Web of Science (January 1981-December 2003), PsycINFO (January 1887-December 2003), the reference section of relevant articles, and hand searches of relevant journals. There were 652 abstracts initially identified through database and other searches. On closer examination of these, only 117 appeared to meet the inclusion criteria. The full text of these papers was examined, with only 64 articles finally identified as suitable for inclusion in the review. Thirty of the 64 studies included a control group. The studies were longitudinal, cross-sectional, or retrospective in nature.Overall, the majority of children and adults with CLP do not appear to experience major psychosocial problems, although some specific problems may arise. For example, difficulties have been reported in relation to behavioural problems, satisfaction with facial appearance, depression, and anxiety. A few differences between cleft types have been found in relation to self-concept, satisfaction with facial appearance, depression, attachment, learning problems, and interpersonal relationships. With a few exceptions, the age of the individual with CLP does not appear to influence the occurrence or severity of psychosocial problems. However, the studies lack the uniformity and consistency required to adequately summarize the psychosocial problems resulting from CLP.

The influence of mandibular prominence on facial attractiveness.

This study examined the attractiveness of facial profiles. One hundred and two social science students (28 males and 74 females) rated the attractiveness of a series of silhouettes with normal, Class II or Class III profiles. A random sequence of 10 images included an image with the Eastman normal SNB value of 78 degrees, and images with SNB values of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 degrees above and below normal. A duplicate image in each sequence was used to assess reproducibility. The participants scored the attractiveness of each image and also indicated whether they would seek treatment if each image was their own profile. The profile with the normal SNB angle of 78 degrees was rated as the most attractive. Attractiveness scores reduced as the mandibular profile diverged from the normal SNB value. The +5 degree profile (SNB = 83 degrees) was rated as significantly more attractive than the -5 degree profile (SNB = 73 degrees; P = 0.004). No other significant differences between the scores for Class II and Class III profile pairs of equal severity were found. At 10 degrees below the normal SNB (Class II), 74 per cent of the sample would elect to have treatment, while 78 per cent would elect to have treatment at 10 degrees above the normal SNB (Class III).

The prevalence of bacteraemia on removal of fixed orthodontic appliances.

This study investigated the prevalence of bacteraemia on removal of fixed appliances. Venous blood samples were taken before and after debonding and debanding for 30 patients (mean age 17 years 8 months) who had worn fixed appliances for an average of 19 months. Before removal of the fixed appliances, bacteraemia was detected in one of the 30 subjects (3%) and in four subjects (13%) following removal of their fixed appliances. The 95 per cent confidence intervals for the prevalence of post-debanding bacteraemia were 3.8 and 30.7 per cent. No significant relationship was detected between the mean plaque scores (t = -0.65, P = 0.52) or the mean gingival scores (t = 0.75, P = 0.46) and the occurrence of bacteraemia. The prevalence of bacteraemia detected following debanding in this study is considerably lower than reported for dental procedures traditionally covered by antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines.

Sagittal and vertical growth of the jaws in Class II, Division 1 and Class II, Division 2 malocclusions during prepubertal and pubertal development.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sagittal and vertical development of the jaws in Class II, Division 1 (II/1) and Class II, Division 2 (II/2) malocclusions. In addition, facial morphology was to be investigated in probands with these malocclusions. PROBANDS AND METHODS: Maxillary and mandibular development was investigated with reference to lateral cephalograms of orthodontically untreated probands from the Belfast Growth Study at 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 years of age. Moreover, development of facial width was assessed from the associated posteroanterior cephalograms, with radiographic magnifications being corrected in both the lateral and the posteroanterior cephalograms. A Class II/1 group (n = 17) and a Class II/2 group (n = 12) were compared with two control groups: a group with good occlusion (n = 18) and a Class I group (n = 37). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: With respect to the sagittal position of the maxilla, no significant differences between the Class II groups and the controls were found. In the Class II/1 group, mandibular retrognathism was observed. The posterior position of the mandible present at 15 years of age had been present even at 7 years of age, and growth increments in the Class I and Class II/1 subjects were similar. In the Class II/2 groups no uniform pattern with respect to mandibular position was found. With respect to vertical development, a deficit in lower anterior facial height was found in the Class II/2 groups. In addition, between 7 and 15 years of age, growth increments in lower anterior facial height were significantly smaller in the Class II/2 subjects than in the controls. Furthermore, the Class II/2 groups displayed a more euryprosopic facial form on average. The cause of this characteristic facial morphology was the vertical deficit in lower anterior facial height. Overall, however, the broad variability and the small sample sizes, in particular of the Class II/2 groups, in the present study have to be seen as limitations.

Three-dimensional analysis of maxillary and mandibular growth increments.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze changes in the facial, maxillary, and mandibular skeleton in the vertical, sagittal, and transverse dimensions during an orthodontically relevant period of dentofacial development (i.e., between 7 and 15 years of age). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This longitudinal study comprised posteroanterior (PA) and lateral cephalograms at 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 years of 18 untreated Class I subjects with good occlusion. Transverse growth (width) was analyzed on the basis of PA cephalograms and sagittal (depth) and vertical (height) growth by means of lateral cephalograms. For each linear measurement, mean percentage increases were calculated relative to the size at 7 years of age. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Between 7 and 15 years of age, in the whole facial skeleton and the maxilla, percentage increases were most pronounced in the vertical dimension when compared with the sagittal and transverse dimensions. In the mandible, the largest percentage increases were found in both sexes for vertical growth of the ramus, followed by sagittal growth (body length) and then mandibular width. In the sagittal dimension, development was more pronounced in the mandible (at pogonion more than at B point) than in the maxilla (A point). With respect to vertical growth, percentage increases in posterior face height exceeded the increases in anterior face height. When facial shape changes were analyzed between 7 and 15 years of age in both sexes, the ratio facial height/facial width increased and the ratio facial depth/ facial height decreased, which points toward an age-related increasing influence of vertical development.

Transverse development of the craniofacial skeleton and dentition between 7 and 15 years of age--a longitudinal postero-anterior cephalometric study.

The aim of this study was to identify the transverse growth pattern of the craniofacial skeleton and dentition from 7 to 15 years of age. The database for this longitudinal study comprised the postero-anterior (PA) cephalograms and dental casts at 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 years of age of 18 untreated Class I subjects with good occlusion from the Belfast Growth Study. Differential magnification of the PA cephalograms was corrected using the method of similar triangles. Most of the craniofacial widths were larger in males than in females. At 15 years of age, the gender differences in craniofacial widths were more pronounced than at 7 years of age. The majority of the skeletal dimensions showed a progressive increase in width. In contrast, there was a deceleration in the increase in maxillary and mandibular intermolar widths after 11 years of age in males and even a slight decrease in the intermolar width beyond 11 years of age in females. Growth curves were calculated where the values of the respective variables were expressed in terms of percentage of attainment at 7, 9, 11 and 13 years of age when compared with 15 years of age. For mid-facial, bizygomatic and skeletal maxillo-mandibular widths, percentile attainments in the range of 84-91 per cent indicated a greater remaining growth potential at 7 years of age than for the cranial width where growth was almost complete. By the age of 7 years, over 95 per cent of the growth in the intermolar width had occurred.

A comparison of craniofacial form in Northern Irish children with unilateral cleft lip and palate treated with different primary surgical techniques.

OBJECTIVE: The quality of outcomes in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) was compared between two senior plastic surgeons. One surgeon carried out a one-stage Wardill-Kilner palate repair. The other surgeon employed a vomer flap hard palate repair followed by a von Langenbeck soft palate closure (Oslo protocol). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. PATIENTS: Thirty-four children (mean age 9.7 years) born with complete skeletal UCLP in Northern Ireland from 1983 to 1991 who received primary repair surgery from one of the two surgeons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cephalometric analysis was used to determine the craniofacial form and soft tissue profile. The quality of the dental arch relationships was independently assessed using the Goslon ranking system. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of the 34 subjects had good or satisfactory arch relationships. Comparison between the surgeons revealed that the Wardill-Kilner group had a greater proportion of Goslon grades of greater than 3, indicating poor arch relationships. However, this difference failed to reach statistical significance. There were no significant cephalometric differences between patients treated by the two surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Although the difference was not statistically significant, the highest proportion of patients likely to require orthognathic surgery was found in those treated using the Wardill-Kilner technique.

Photo-elastic stress analysis of initial alignment archwires.

Photo-elastic models replicating a lower arch with a moderate degree of lower incisor crowding and a palatally displaced maxillary canine were used to evaluate the stresses transmitted to the roots of the teeth by initial alignment archwires. Six initial alignment archwires were compared, two multi-strand stainless steel wires, two non-super-elastic (stabilized martensitic form) nickel titanium wires, and two stress-induced super-elastic (austenitic active) nickel titanium wires. Three specimens of each archwire type were tested. Analysis of the photo-elastic fringe patterns, in the medium supporting the teeth, revealed that the non-super-elastic nickel titanium archwires produced the highest shear stresses (P = 0.001). However, the shear stresses generated by the super-elastic alignment archwires and the multi-strand stainless steel archwires were very similar (P = 1.00). These results show that even in situations where large deflections of initial alignment archwires are required, super-elastic archwires do not appear to have any marked advantage over multi-strand stainless steel alignment archwires in terms of the stresses transferred to the roots of the teeth.