Uses of the vertical slot in orthodontic brackets.

Uprighting springs are typically used with V-slot single brackets or Begg brackets to upright the roots of tipped teeth. In the edgewise technique, these springs provide a reversible and versatile method of controlling anchorage by increasM orthodontists have discovered the utility of a simple, vertically positioned square hole in an orthodontic bracket. The vertical slot, or V-slot, permits the simple addition of a variety of useful auxiliaries and biomechanical adjuncts (Fig. 1). As Gianelly once said in a personal communication, “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want a vertical slot in your bracket, whatever bracket you choose; it’s free.” Unfortunately, little has been published specifically on the use of V-slots, other than in the Begg system1 and Gianelly’s Bidimensional technique.2 Although some clinicians might assume that the addition of a V-slot would raise the profile