Dr. John Lin

Since Larry Andrews introduced the Straight-Wire Appliance based on his landmark study of 120 ideal occlusal models, orthodontic treatment has advanced significantly. However, fully engaging a .022” slot using a .019” x .025” wire has remained challenging due to approximately 26° of play, often necessitating additional wire bending.

Thanks to Dr. Dwight Damon’s continuous efforts over the past 20 years, the Damon system has seen ongoing refinement. Although the latest Damon Q2 system already provides excellent performance, Dr. Damon has further innovated with the development of the Damon Ultima system—designed to minimize wire bending and maximize 3D control.

The Ultima system uses a specially designed wire: a rectangular wire with rounded edges. This design allows for nearly 100% rotational control. By adopting a parallelogram concept—tilting the rectangular slot—the system enables full engagement of an .018” x .0275” wire within a .022” x .0275” slot, achieving precise angulation and torque control.

In this lecture, the author will introduce the key concepts, design innovations, and clinical applications of the Damon Ultima system, demonstrating how it offers true 3D full control in orthodontic treatment.

The Damon Ultima system introduces significant advancements over traditional Damon brackets, offering enhanced control and efficiency in orthodontic treatment. In this session, the author will explore key clinical strategies to fully leverage the benefits of this innovative system. Topics to be covered include:

•Application of the variable torque concept within the Ultima system

•Bonding guidelines specific to Ultima bracket design

•Integration of TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices) with the Ultima system

•Clinical case demonstrations, including both extraction and non-extraction treatments

This lecture will provide practical insights and evidence-based examples to help clinicians optimize outcomes using the Damon Ultima system.