Vari simplex

VARI-SIMPLEXVARI-SIMPLEX
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INTRODUCTION
Richard G. Wick Alexander
He designed an appliance to deliver excellent treatment results in
a simple organized way. His main concern is simplicity, to
encourage cooperation, comfort and control.
His major goals are
- High quality results
- Patient comfort
- Reduced chair side time

He developed an appliance called the Vari-
Simplex Discipline “Vari” refers to the variety of bracket
types used. “Simplex” relates to the KISS Principle
(Keep It Simple, Sir).
Archwire fabrication is simplified, with first-,
second-, and third-order bends placed in the bracket
instead of the archwire.
Simpler archwires afford fewer archwire
changes, and easier ligation and activation.

Treatment philosophy retains three fundamentals of the
Tweed technique:
1. Anchorage preparation (uprighting mandibular first
molars)
2. Positioning of mandibular incisors over basal bone.
3. Orthopedic alteration with headgear.
Key Objectives:
The key objective is to treat the case so that the
patient ends up with the face proportionately
balanced, consistent with his skeletal pattern. He
believe in non-extraction therapy whenever possible.

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning:
Determine the desired position of the mandibular
incisors, and then determine the treatment needed to
position the maxilla and maxillary dentition over the
desired mandibular arch position.
• Incisors upright over basal bone
• Cuspids not expanded
• Curve of spee level
• Non-extraction therapy whenever possible

His approach to diagnosis include -
1. Age: Patient’s age will determine whether we think in
terms of mixed dentition early treatment, full treatment
during adolescence, or adult treatment. The other
factors can be categorized according to the diagnostic
records taken to study the three tissues (facial,
skeletal, dental) in their three dimensions (vertical,
transverse, sagittal).
•Intraoral and/or panoramic x-rays
• Study models
• Facial photographs
• Cephalometric appraisal

The concept of the Vari Simplex Discipline:-
1. The size and shape of the teeth, especially the
mesiodistal width and curvature.
These affect interbracket width, which, in turn,
affects the ability to rotate the teeth and level the
arch without using vertical springs, multiloops, or
extra arch wires.
The system evolved around five factors related to
brackets: bracket selection, bracket height, bracket
angulation, bracket torque and bracket in-out.

Bracket Selection:
Each tooth has a particular bracket that is most effective.
1. Twin Brackets:
Twin brackets (Diamond brackets) are used on large, flat-
surfaced teeth – maxillary central and lateral incisors.
The diamond bracket is designed so that all the
horizontal lines are placed parallel to the incisal edge of
the tooth, and the rhomboid design makes it possible to
align the vertical lines parallel to the long axis of the
tooth.
The flat surfaces of maxillary centrals and laterals permit
full arch wire engagement in the twin brackets. Twin
brackets on the incisors allow 5-6mm of interbracket
width, which is sufficient for flexibility, rotational control,
and torquing ability. www.indiandentalacademy.comwww.indiandentalacademy.com

As the maxillary lateral incisors erupt, they frequently
remain high relative to the normal position of the centrals,
presenting a significant incisogingival interbracket
discrepancy.
Twin brackets on these teeth provide additional tie
wings for easy initial wire placement, whereas the rotation
wing of a single-width bracket might cause interference with
the archwire.
Twin brackets are smooth and minimize irritation of
labial tissue.

2. Lang Brackets:
Lang brackets were invented by Dr. Howard Lang.
We use these brackets with the Diamond design on large,
round-surfaced teeth at the corners of the arch – maxillary
and mandibular cuspids.
The single bracket allows for easy ligation and
increased interbracket width. The wing can easily be
activated for rotational control.
In extraction cases, the cuspids can be retracted on
round wire with very little tipping or rotation.

3. Lewis Brackets:
Lewis brackets are used on large, round-surfaced
teeth that are not at the curve of the arch – maxillary and
mandibular bicuspids – and on small, flat-surfaced teeth –
mandibular incisors.
The Lewis bracket is a fixed-wing single bracket,
which produces sufficient interbracket width.
The wings provide maximum rotational control and
can be activated for additional rotation.
An additional benefit offered by the single bracket
with wings is that, on a tooth that is badly rotated, the wing
in the direction of the rotation can be removed. The bracket
can then be positioned properly, remaining wing serving to
rotate the tooth into proper position.

Other Attachments:
Twin brackets with a convertible sheath are used on
maxillary and mandibular first molars, which are usually
banded. The convertible sheath is easily removed when
second molars are banded, converting the attachment to a
bracket.
Headgear tubes are placed occlusally on the
maxillary first molars. This position makes it easier to see
and to use them; it minimizes food traps, oral hygiene
problems, and gingival impingement; and it eliminates
blockage when omega stops are used.

Single buccal tubes are used on maxillary and
mandibular second molars, and lingual hooks are placed on
all molar bands.

Bracket Height:
Each bracket is placed at a predetermined position
on each tooth relative to the other teeth.
Placing a bracket higher or lower affects the amount
of torque and angulation, and the incisogingival position of
the tooth.
The bracket height will vary to fit the clinical crowns.
Bicuspid bracket height is the key. Its normal height
is 4.mm.

Bracket Height:
Maxillary Arch:
Centrals X
Laterals X – 0.5mm
Cuspids X + 0.5mm
Bicuspids X
1st
Molars X – 0.5 mm
2nd
Molars X – 1.0 mm
Mandibular Arch:
Centrals X – 0.5mm
Laterals X – 0.5 mm
Cuspids X + 0.5mm
Bicuspids X
1st
Molars X – 0.5 mm

Brackets have to be positioned in the center of the
tooth mesiodistally, so that the rotating wings will be able to
function properly. On a severely rotated tooth, the
interfering wing can be removed to enable the bracket to be
placed in the center of the tooth.

Bracket Angulation:
This allows the roots to be parallel to each other and
the crowns to be placed in their most esthetic and functional
positions.
The horizontal incisal and gingival portions of the
bracket are parallel to the incisal edge and the vertical
portions are parallel to the long axis of the crown.
Bracket Angulations:
Banding Bonding
(Incisal edge reference) (Long axis reference)
Maxillary Arch
Centrals 3° 5
Laterals 6 8
Cuspids 6 10
Bicuspids and
Molars 0 0www.indiandentalacademy.comwww.indiandentalacademy.com

Mandibular Arch:
Centrals 2 2
Laterals 2 2
Cuspids 6 6
Bicuspids 0 0
1st
Molars -6 06
2nd
molars 0 0

Bracket Torques:
In 1978 torques is moved from arch wire into the
bracket so that the best results are achieved when an
0.017”, 0.025” archwire is used to fill the 0.018” bracket
slots.
Bracket Torques:
Maxillary Arch
Centrals 14
Laterals 7
Cuspids -3
Bicuspids -7
Molars -10

Mandibular Arch:
Incisors -5
Cusids -7
1st
Bicuspids -11
2nd
Bicuspids -17
1st
Molars -22
2nd
molars 0 or -27
No torque is placed in the mandibular second molar
tubes, because of omega stops. As the omega is bent out to
avoid impingment on gingival tissue and to create less of a
food trap, torque is automatically placed into the second
molar.
The most important difference is -5o of lingual crown
torque or labial root torque in the mandibular incisors.

Bracket In Out (First Order Bends):
The fifth component of the Vari-Simplex Discipline is
bracket in-out. The appliance incorporates a system of
interrelated, compensating bracket base thicknesses to
replace the usual first-order bends or offsets.
Archwire Selection and Sequence:
Bracket is only a “handle” placed on the tooth. Proper
archwire selection and sequence will allow the discipline to
deliver the desired results.
The first step, in most cases, is the elimination of
rotations. This is done by the newer, flexible, more resilient
wires – multistranded round and rectangular TMA and
Nitinol.

Leveling and space closure are accomplished next,
usually with rectangular wire – TMA or stainless steel.
The last step – final leveling and arch form – are
always performed with stainless steel wire.
The usual selection of archwires includes:
A. Non-extraction:
1. Multistrand 0.017” x 0.025” D-Rect (mandibular arch) and
0.0175” Respond (maxillary arch).
2. 0.016” SS round or an 0.016” x 0.022” SS rectangular
wire may be used for further eliminate rotations.
3. 0.017” x 0.025” SS ideal finishing archwire

B. Extraction:
1. Maxillary arch
a) Multistrand 0.0175” Respond or 0.017” x 0.025” D-
Rect
b) 0.016” round SS wire for retracting cuspids
c) 0.018” x 0.025” SS with closing loops to retract four
anteriors
d) 0.017” x 0.025” SS finishing archwire
2. Mandibular Arch:
a) Multistrand 0.0175” Respond or 0.017” x 0.025” D-
Rect
b) 0.016” round SS archwire or 0.017” x 0.025” D-Rect
c) 0.016” x 0.022” SS closing loop archwire
d) 0.017” x 0.025” SS finishing archwire

Non-Extraction Treatment
The total time needed to complete mandibular arch
treatment is perhaps as little as six months in a non-
extraction case. In addition, one of the big problems on a
Class II case is moving a Class II canine to a Class I
relationship when the mandibular arch is banded.
Bracket interference can create canine attrition, loose
bonds, and retardation of tooth movement. For these
reasons, a rarely banded mandibular arch until class I
canine relationship is achieved.

Maxillary Arch:
Non-extraction treatment begins with the maxillary
arch.
The incisors, cuspids and first bicuspids are bonded,
and the second bicuspids and first molars are banded.
After the appliances are in place, a multistranded,
spiral, round archwire is inserted. After 2 weeks the patient
is given an extra oral appliance (retractor).
At the third appointment, rotations are tied, and th
retractor is adjusted. An 0.016” round wire with omega
stops mesial to the terminal tubes is placed, so that the arch
wire can be tied back.

In case of close bite, enough excess curve of spee is
placed in the archwire to enhance of the opening of the bite.
It is extremely important to tie this archwire back.
There are three ways of tying back – the traditional
omega stop, power chain or ligature wire from molar to
molar, and bending the archwire at an angle distal to the
molar tube.
Tying back the arch wire is used to consolidate the
arch to convert the arch from several units to a single unit. It
is necessary for the arch to be in one unit for the extraoral
forces to act orthopedically instead of dentally, and intraoral
elastic forces must act on the arch and not on individual
teeth.

The Omega stop, placed 1-2 mm mesial to the
buccal tube, enables placement of an active tieback force
on the archwire.
After all the rotations have been eliminated, all
spaces have been closed, and the arch is beginning to
level, the round wire is removed, and the third and final
archwire – an 0.17” x 0.025” rectangular stainless steel
finishig archwire is placed.
If the bite is still closed at this stage, a bite plate is
used so that the mandibular anteriors occlude on the bite
plate and free the occlusion.
This will improve the effectiveness of the maxilary
archwire, and the allow the posterior teeth to begin erupting
into a more level position.

The pressure of the mandibular anterior teeth on the
bite plate will tend to depress them. This will begin to open
the bite and level the mandibular arch before it is bonded
and banded.
Mandibular Arch:
After the final archwire is placed in the maxillary arch,
separators are inserted between the mandibular posterior
teeth, and the mandibular arch is bonded and banded two
weeks later.
Bonding/ banding on the mandibular arch is delayed
in a non-extraction case -

1. It will avoid interference of mandibular brackets with
maxillary teeth.
2. As the maxillary arch improves, the mandibular curve of
Spee improves naturally.
3. If a bite plate is needed, it fits better and is more
comfortable after the maxillary arch has been properly
aligned.
4. Total time needed to treat the mandibular arch is 6-9
months.
5. It allows more time for the mandibular second molars to
erupt.

The mandibular arch is the key to non-extraction treatment
with the Vari-Simplex Discipline. There are five primary
reasons for our ability to control the advancement of the
mandibular anteriors:
1. Bonding eliminates the need for interproximal band space.
2. A -5 degree torque on the mandibular incisors resists
anterior flaring of these teeth.
3. The use of 0.017” x 0.025” D-Rect multistranded, braided
archwire permits torque control in the anterior segment with
the initial archwire.
4. A -6 degree tip on the mandibular first molars allows distal
movement of the molar crowns, which can create additional
arch length.
5. With bonding, selective interproximal enamel reduction is
possible.

In non-extraction cases but crowding of the
mandibular arch may prevent unravelin and uprighting of
the lower anteriors. Then class III mechanics should be
considered.
If Class III elastics are worn to the mandibular arch,
the extrusive force of the elastics on the maxillary first
molars should be considered. In a close bite case, some
molar extrusion may be desired to help open the bite.
In the case of an open bite or a higher SN-MP angle,
however, a high-pull force is added to the facebow during
Class III mechanics to prevent molar extrusion. The high-
pull force should be initiated before placement of the first
mandibular wire.

The term “slenderizing” is used, rather than
“stripping”, for the selective interproximal reduction of the
enamel. (Dr. Moody Alexander)
The D-Rect wire in the mandibular arch is left until
the anterior rotations have almost been eliminated. If all
rotations cannot be eliminated, an 0.017” x 0.025” D-Rect
wire with an 0.016” x 0.022” TMA or stainless steel archwire
is followed.
The next wire is an 0.017” x 0.025” stainless steel
finishing archwire. Extra oral forces have continued
throughout, and a class I molar relationship should be
achieved.
Class mechanics are not initiated until finishing
archwires are in place.

Extra Oral Force Application:
The best results are achieved with a facebow
attached to the maxillary first molars. Patient acceptance
and cooperation are better, so successful orthopedic results
are achieved.
The facebow offers better control of the posterior
transverse dimension, so that palatal arches are not
necessary in the normally growing patient.
The bow stops anterior to the ears, so that it will not
interfere with the ears when a high-pull is used.
With an angle of SN to mandibular plane of 35
degree or less – cervical-pull neckstrap; 36-42 degree, a
combination pull; and greater than 42 degree, a high pull.

Outer bow should be parallel to the occlusal plane
and the inner bow. When the patient closes, the lips should
seal just behind the junction of the two bows without
impingement on the lips.
Depending on the diagnosis, the patient will wear the
retractor 8-14 hours per day.
If the patient’s ANB is 5 degree or more, the retractor
is worn 14 or more hours a day. If the ANB is 3-5 degree,
retractor wear can be reduced to 12 hours. If the ANB is
less than 3 degree, the retractor is worn at night only, 8
hours a day.

Vari simplex

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