title: Maxillary arch width and buccal corridor changes with Damon and conventional brackets: A retrospective analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of Damon self-ligating and conventional bracket systems on buccal corridor widths and areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective sample of consecutively treated patients using either conventional (CG, n  =  45) or Damon self-ligating (SL, n  =  39) brackets was analyzed to determine any differences in buccal corridor widths and areas both within and between groups. Pretreatment and posttreatment frontal photographs were transferred to Photoshop CC, standardized using intercanthal width, and linear and area measurements were performed with tools in Photoshop CC. Ratios were then calculated for statistical analysis. Relationships between arch widths and buccal corridors were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in the posttreatment intercanine or intermolar widths either within or between the CG and SL groups. There were no significant differences in any buccal corridor width or area measurement either within or between the CG and SL groups. There were strong correlations with the intercanine width and the corresponding buccal corridor smile width measurements. There was an inverse correlation with the buccal corridor area in relation to the canine and the total smile width.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is likely that posttreatment increases in arch width can be seen in patients treated with either a conventional bracket system or the Damon system. It is highly unlikely that there is any significant difference in buccal corridor width or area in patients treated with the Damon self-ligating system or a conventional bracket system.
authors.affiliation: a   Resident, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
authors.forename: Corey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shook
authors.affiliation: a   Resident, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
authors.forename: Sohyon Michelle
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: b   Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burnheimer
mesh_terms: D002508:Cephalometry; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D003765:Models, Dental; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Buccal corridors; Damon; Maxillary arch width