Integrative orthodontics with the ribbon arch.

The ribbon arch had great popularity and utility early in the 20th century, but lost its appeal as edgewise techniques developed. Some clinicians have made attempts to revive the procedure, but they have relied upon costly changes in bracket and band inventories and have not yet received extensive endorsement. A newer approach that relies only upon the use of newly developed titanium and stainless steel ribbon archwires offers orthodontists a simplified and inexpensive method for assimilating this helpful method. Such wires allow orthodontists to create an integrative therapeutic protocol that combines much of the alignment, leveling, and torque control in a single wire.