Decreased treatment time due to changes in technique and practice philosophy.

A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of practice modifications on treatment time for patients in a private orthodontic office. Two patient groups were studied, consisting of Class I nonextraction, adult dentitions treated by one of the authors. One group (28 cases) was treated with the standard Begg technique and conventional motivation, hygiene, and finishing practices. The other (25 cases) was treated with the Tip-Edge appliance along with specific modifications to motivation, hygiene and finishing techniques. The average treatment time for the Tip-Edge group was 12.80 months versus 20.89 months for the Begg group. The use of motivational techniques and a specific mission and philosophy within a private orthodontic practice can help reduce total treatment time. The Tip-Edge appliance may reduce treatment time in Class I nonextraction therapy.