Clinical and ​
Research Articles
This section of Hilgers Publications contains the most poignant and reproduced articles of over 90 written by members of the Hilgers family. Each article, saved​ in .pdf format, can be accessed by simply clicking on the picture next to each article ​description. These articles have been written and published in refereed scientific and clinical journals. Please enjoy!
The PIT and the Pendulum:
Pendulum-Integrated TADs ​
This article, co-written by Drs. James Hilgers,
Shannon Hilgers Nissen and Stephen Tracey
highlights the use of non-compliant therapy involving the utilization of TADs for anchorage following treatment with one of the family
of Pendulumâ„¢ appliances.
Adolescent Pregnancy: A Review
of Dental Treatment Guidelines​
Dr. Kelly Hilgers et al. discuss the principles for medical management of these patients. While not unlike those used for adult females, the higher incidence of complications coupled with social and consent issues make their overall management more complex.
​The Mini-distalizing Appliance​
​
​​The mini-distalizing appliance is the latest in​​
the Pendulum family appliances that focuses
on expansion with the secondary benefit of moderate molar distilization. A smaller cleaner
appliance, it uses the teeth for stability so mustbe backed up with other anchorage.
​
Orthodontic Treatment Provided ​
by Pediatric Dentists​
​
​​The purpose of this study, written by Dr. Kelly Hilgers, et al., was to document orthodontic treatment currently provided by pediatric dentists for comparison with past and future studies and to ascertain variables that influence practitioners’ orthodontic treatment patterns.
​
Dentomaxillofacial Cone-beam CT for Orthodontic Assessment
​
​​​Cone-beam CT affords the possibility of providing 2D simulated cephalographic projections from 3D datasets. The ability to reconstruct such traditional cephalograms means that existing data bases can still be used for orthodontic treatment projections. Article by Dr. Michael Hilgers.
​
​​Orthodontic Offices 2009:
Grow, Thrive and Be Exceptional!
​
​​A short article, written by designer Joyce Matlack. describes the transformation of the orthodontic office of Dr. James Hilgers and Dr. Shannon Hilgers Nissen. Demonstrates the changes necessary to compete in today's orthodontic environment.
​
​​Twelve Reasons for Taking a​
Giant Step Backwards
​
​​Dr. James Hilgers describes a new terminal molar tube design that simplifies archwire placement. Accent terminal tubes have a funneled entrance, no tie wings and miniature size that is possible since the advent of super-elatic archwires.
​
​​A Palatal Expansion Appliance for​
Non-compliance Therapy
​
​​Dr. James Hilgers used the term "non-compliance therapy" for the first time in orthodontic literature when he described a palatally borne expansion appliance that effectively rotated molars, expanded the upper arch and initiated Cl II correction.
​
​​Lingual Orthodontics - ​
A Status Report, Part IV
​
​​In the first article ever written on lingual orthodontics, Dr. James Hilgers et al. discuss their experiences with this new and exciting
technology. Lingual orthodontics, used to assuage adult esthetic discomfort with labial braces started a trend that continues today.
​
​​Lingual Orthodontics - ​
A Status Report, Part V
​
​​This discussion centers on the general diagnostic and treatment planning considerations of lingual orthodontics for patient selection. Written by James Hilgers, et al., it was the first to describe the treatment modalities using lingual braces.
​
​​Bioprogressive Therapy​
Part 2: Principles
​
​​The clinician needs to base his treatment mechanics on the results he or she want to achieve with the goals and objectives they have in mind. In this article about the principles of the Bioprogressive™ therapy, Dr. James Hilgers et al. clarify this "begin with the end in mind" approach.
​
​​Bio-Progressive Therapy, Part 4: The Use of Superimposition Areas to Establish Treatment Design
​
​​In this article, the authors (Hilgers, et al.) demonstrate the use of the Visual Treatment Objective as a management tool. It establishes five superimposition areas, which then allow us to establish seven evaluation areas.
​
​​Bioprogressive Therapy, Part 6: ​
Forces Used in Mechanotherapy
​
​​Co-written by Drs. James Hilgers, Ruel Bench
and Carl Gugino, this bioprogressive article
defines the forces used with this technique.
Root surface areas and anchorage from both
muscle and cortical bone are highlighted.
​
​
​​Bio-Progressive Therapy, Part 8: Mixed Dentition Treatment
​
​​The purpose of this article, written by James Hilgers et al., is to clarify the basic objectives of early treatment and thereby elucidate, from a practical standpoint, those cases that truly deserve early therapy and those cases that would be best treated in a single phase.
​
​​Bio-Progressive Therapy, Part 10: Mechanics for Class II Division II
​
​​The treatment sequences involved in the treatment of non-extraction Cl II, DII malocclusions are discussed in this Bioprogressive article. The concept of advancing the incisors to clear the lower
and using intra-oral elastic conduct.
​
The Gold Standard in
Orthodontic Mechanics -
Vcctor TAS
This is the first article on Ormco's Vector
TAS mini-screws written by its inventors,
Drs. Hilgers, Graham, Sheffler and
Tracey. They reviewed some of the most
common design features and uses of
mini-screws in orthodontic mechanics.
​
​Orthodontic Training in Pediatric Dental Residencies
​
​​The purpose of this study was to determine the amount and types of orthodontic training in pediatric dental residencies. A twenty-one-item survey was mailed to sixty directors of pediatric dental residencies. Described in an
article by Dr. Kelly Hilgers et al.
​
​Functional Finishing-The Concepts
The Tools, The Techniques
​
​​In this Clinical Impressions article, Dr. James Hilgers describes the mechanics involved in finishing orthodontic cases in a functional and muscle driven manner. He elucidates the concepts and techniques involved in detailing for completing with an outstanding result.
​
​Memorial to Dr. Robert M. Ricketts
​
​​In this memorial published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, Dr. James Hilgers muses about the passing of his mentor, friend, teacher and boss. Working for Dr. Ricketts from 1971-75 was one of the highlights of his orthodontic career and it shows in this short dissertation describing his experiences.
​
​​The Pendulum Appliance for ​
Class II Non-Compliance Therapy
​
​​In a landmark article that started an evolution
toward non-compliant treatment, Dr. James
Hilgers describes mechotherapy using what he has dubbed the Pendulumâ„¢Appliance. It is the first of many in a family of appliances that is used to distalize the upper molars.
​
​​Lingual braces were now starting to take their
place in the orthodontic world. Even current royalty wanted to be treated with this new and innovative technology. Dr. Hilgers et al. discuss mechanical principles using lingual braces. A great smile, that's how you nab a prince.
​
​​Lingual Orthodontics - ​
A Status Report, Part V
​
​​Bio-Progressive Therapy, Part 3: Visual Treatment Objective or VTO
​
​​Beginning with the end in mind is especially
important in treatment planning. In this
"how to" oriented article, Drs. Hilgers, Bench
and Gugino describe the process of creating
a visual treatment objective or VTO.
​
​​Bio-Progressive Therapy, Part 7: ​
The Utility and Sectional Arches
​
​​Probably the most recognizable single entity in the Bio-Progressive Therapy would be that of the Utility Arch. It forms the base unit around which the mechanics in all types of cases can be employed.
Dr. James Hilgers et al. discuss the use of these archwires.
​
​​Bio-Progressive Therapy, Part 11: Mechanics for Extraction Cases
​
​​Dr. James Hilgers, et al. discuss the sequential
treatment mechanics devised for treatment
of extraction cases including bite opening.
segmental cuspid space closure and anterior
retraction. Second bicuspid extractions and
anchorage maintenance are discussed.
​
​​Bioprogressive Simplified, Part 1: ​
Diagnosis and Treatment Plans
​
​​This, the first of four articles written by
Dr. James Hilgers, started to define a simpler, easier method of using Bioprogressive principles in an effective manner. This article discusses the diagnostic system using VTOs.
​
​
​​L'uso del Diode Laser ​
in Ortodonzia
​
​​Questo artice è la versione spagnola del JCO
versione scritta da Drs. James Hilgers e Stephen Tracey. Altre foto e descrizioni di trattamento ampliare l'appeal di questo primo articolo mai scritto circa l'uso laser a diodi in aggiunta alla ortodonzia. Dr. Hilgers parla un italiano fluente.
​
​​Adventures in Orthodontics...​
Article in Orthodontic Products
​
​​In an article in Orthodontic Products, the office
of Drs. James Hilgers and associate Debra
Cook is described. Defining what it takes to be
successful in orthodontic practice, the author
interviews Hilgers' staff and patients to come
up with a winning formula.
​
​​Using Pendulum Appliances: An
Interview with Dr. Hilgers
​
​​In an interview with Ray Bedette on Orthotown.com, Dr. James Hilgers expounds on changes and advancements in the use of the Pendulum family of appliances. He addresses some of the misconceptions and problems that orthodontists have using this molar distalizer.
​
​​Bioprogressive Simplified, Part 4: Extraction Therapy
​
​​Dr. James Hilgers discusses a simplified way of treating extraction cases without the complex
loop systems commonly utilized in more traditional Bioprogressive mechanics. Hilgers
describes the diagnostic and in-treatment
decisions needed in a more simplified approach.
​
​​Knowing When to Say When
​
​​The post retention period is beginning to be
more and more important for orthodontists.
Most orthodontists acknowledge that stability
can be very fragile unless the patient continues to wear some sort of retention for a lifetime. In this article, Dr. James Hilgers highlights the techniques involved in maintaining long term stability.
​
​​Klasse-II-Behandlung - Fragebogen und Fallbeispiele
​
​​In diesem Artikel für eine deutsche kieferorthopädischen Fachzeitschrift geschrieben, antwortet Dr. James Hilgers 12 Fragen über hyperefficient und Nichteinhaltung der Kieferorthopädie. Er erklärt die Verwendung des
MDA-Appliance und Herbst Appliances. Dr. Hilgers spricht fließend Deutsch.
​
Bios™ is a light-wire, higher-torque
version of the Orthos™ appliance system.
It is designed for the orthodontist who
doesn’t fill the slot and depends on functional
adaptation more and dominance
mechanics less. This article, written by Dr.
James Hilgers, for Clinical Impressions.
​
​​BIOS -A Bracket Evolution,
A Systems Revolution
​
​​Keeping Control - An Update​
on Noncompliance Treatment
​
​​Orthodontic Products published this article
written by James Hilgers about the nature of maintaining control when treating with non-compliant therapy. In it he addresses the concerns over anchorage loss when distalizing molars and discusses the advantages of using the Herbst Appliance in certain situations.
​
​​​Localized Aggressive Periodontitis in a Six-year-old: A Case Report
​
The purpose of this report was to describe an approach to diagnose and effectively treat a
pediatric patient with localized aggressive periodontitis. A 6-year-old female presented with clinical and radiographic evidence of severe attachment loss around several primary teeth.
​
​​The New Patient Phone Call
​
​​This is undoubtedly the most important phone call ever received in an orthodontic office. Handling it with focus and deliberation is the ​key to being successful to patient assimilation. Dr. James
Hilgers, in ​this article, describes techniques
and scripting that ​can be used in this situation,
notes how imperative it is to have time and the
right person on the phone.
​
Very little is known about orthodontic treatment
provided by general dentists in the United
States. Although orthodontic treatment provided
by nonorthodontists has been evaluated in the
past, previous investigators sampled only general practitioners from a few states, not from the nation as a whole.
​​Orthodontic Treatment Provided by General Dentists
​
​Scheduling - Part I​
​
This article, Part I of a two part series was
published in Clinical Impressions. This first part deals with the criteria around which a successful scheduling system is built. It deals with measuring certain parameters that determine how the ideal scheduling system should be structured.

​Scheduling - Part I​I
​
Part II of this series deals with the scheduling
system that takes into account doctor time,
assistant time and procedure time. This is
integrated into a scheduling system that, if
properly adhered to, should keep you running
on time.
​
​The Era of Hyperefficient
Orthodontics - Part I
​
​​This article, written by Dr. James Hilgers, is the first to tie all of the different methods of Cl II correction directly to treated cases. It shows both the diagnostic criteria, VTOs and written
summary description on 6 different kinds of cases where molar distalization is used.

​The Era of Hyperefficient
Orthodontics - Part II
​
​​This article, written by Dr. James Hilgers, is the first
to tie all of the different methods of Cl II correction directly to treated cases. It shows both the diagnostic criteria, VTOs and written summary description on 6 different kinds of cases where
molar distalization is used.
​​This article, published in October 2012 shows the use of composite buttons to hold down
"in-house made" Essix retainers, especially
when used to realign slightly crowded teeth.
The second part of the article shows how to
use a composite and chain (C&C) to attach
a gold chain directly to impacted cuspids.
​Two Easy Pieces
​

​The Rise of Permanent Retention
7 Principles for
Stability Maintainance​
​​
​
​​This article, co-written by Drs. Hilgers,
Miroue, Nissen and Tracey delineates the seven
factors involved in maintaining an orthodontic
result for a lifetime. This article gives the
reader the tools to accomplish this feat.
Publication date Jan. 2013 in the JCO.
Indirect Bonding- Getting
The Monkey Off Your Back
The Linear Dynamic System was the
first broad change in Bioprogressive
appliances since the evolution of
directly bonded brackets. It
incorporated new cast double
convertible terminal tubes and
accentuated light wire treatment
in .018 slot brackets.
Linear Dynamic System
This article written by Dr. Hilgers for Seminars
in Orthodontics demonstrates how to
efficiently use the Pendulum Appliance in conjunction with a fixed functional appliance,
the Herbst. This tandem of both a functional
and tooth moving appliance is the ultimate in noncompliant therapy.
Dental Request InForm
Progress Report InForm
Final Results InForm
New Patient Inform
Extraction Request Inform