[Biomechanics--where are we today?].

Abstract

The development within the field of orthodontics is taking place within both the "hardware" (the brackets and wires) and within the "software" (the concepts behind the design of biomechanics). A survey of the physical characteristics of the new wires is presented. Within the "software" section the differentiation between appliance-guided and orthodontist-guided force systems is important. While the first is a standardized system, the second is goal-oriented and individualized. The advantage in segmented- contra straightwire-technique is discussed in relation to the limitation of orthodontics.