Tooth movement can occur in one of two ways: bodily or tipping. Fixed orthodontic appliances make use of these responses in a controlled fashion. The Edgewise appliance with its three-dimensional rectangular horizontal arch wire slot operates by the former, and the modern Begg (Tip-EdgeTM) appliance via the latter mechanism of action. However, it is unclear whether the periodontal or alveolar response to each of these mechanics is preferable. For the study, 14 subjects presenting to the Orthodontic Department at the Tel-Aviv University who were treatment planned for first premolar extractions in the maxillary arch, had Edgewise brackets placed on their left, and Tip-EdgeTM brackets on the right permanent canines, respectively. Standardized serial periapical radiographs were taken of the retracting canines. Comparative radiographic densitometric measurements were made of trabecular bone (measured at the alveolar crest, mid-root, and apex on both the mesial and distal aspects), and width of lamina dura and periodontal ligament. No differences in trabecular bone density were observed on either side of the canines. However, width of both the lamina dura and PDL increased significantly in the Tip-EdgeTM on the mesial side of the canine at the alveolar crest during retraction.