Description

Material

Stainless Steel Archwires:
- Material: Made from a high-quality stainless steel alloy.
- Characteristics: Durable and provide stable force over time.
- Use: Typically used in the initial stages of treatment for alignment and leveling due to their strength and ability to maintain shape.
Nickel-Titanium (Ni-Ti) Archwires:
- Material: An alloy composed of nickel and titanium.
- Characteristics: More flexible and can exert lighter, continuous forces. They have shape memory properties, allowing them to return to their original shape after deformation.
- Use: Commonly used in the early stages of treatment when more flexibility is needed. They are also used for patients with nickel allergies.
Beta-Titanium Archwires:
- Material: An alloy of titanium, chromium, and other elements.
- Characteristics: Combines some of the benefits of stainless steel (strength) and Ni-Ti (flexibility). They exhibit good shape memory and corrosion resistance.
- Use: Useful in various stages of treatment, including initial alignment and later stages for fine-tuning.
Thermal Nickel-Titanium (TNT) Archwires:
- Material: A special type of Ni-Ti alloy that undergoes a phase transition when heated.
- Characteristics: These wires become more flexible at higher temperatures, allowing for easier insertion and adaptation to the arch form.
- Use: Particularly useful in cases where precise placement of the archwire is challenging.
Multistranded Stainless Steel Archwires:
- Construction: Composed of multiple small stainless steel strands twisted together.
- Characteristics: Offer both strength and flexibility.
- Use: These wires are often used in cases where fine adjustments to tooth positions are needed.
Coated Archwires:
- Material: Regular archwires (e.g., stainless steel or Ni-Ti) with a protective coating.
- Characteristics: The coating can help reduce friction between the wire and the brackets, potentially leading to more efficient tooth movement.
- Use: Often used in cases where minimizing friction is important for treatment progress.
Lingual Archwires:
- Placement: These wires are placed on the tongue side (lingual) of the teeth.
- Characteristics: Similar to conventional archwires but designed for use with lingual braces.
- Use: Suitable for patients who want a more discreet orthodontic treatment option.

Form

Natural Form Archwires:
- Description: These archwires are designed to mimic the natural shape of the dental arch.
- Use: Natural form archwires are used in the initial stages of treatment to help establish a stable and balanced arch form.
Ovoid Form Archwires:
- Description: Ovoid form archwires have an oval or elliptical shape. They are contoured to approximate the natural shape of the dental arch.
- Use: Ovoid form archwires are used to provide more individualized and targeted force distribution, especially in cases where the patient's arch shape deviates from the standard.
Expanded Form Archwires:
- Description: These archwires have been gently expanded or widened from their original form.
- Use: Expanded form archwires are used to help correct crowding or overlapping of teeth. They apply a controlled force to gradually create additional space.
Over-Expanded Form Archwires:
- Description: Over-expanded form archwires are further widened compared to expanded form archwires.
- Use: They are used in cases of severe crowding where more significant expansion is needed to create the necessary space for proper alignment.
Reverse Curve Form Archwires:
- Description: Reverse curve form archwires have a curvature that opposes the natural curve of the dental arch. They are often used in the lower arch.
- Use: These archwires are employed to address issues like deep overbites and to help level the occlusal plane.
Alloy Natural Form, Alloy Ovoid Form, Alloy Over-Expanded Form, and Alloy Expanded Form Archwires:
- These archwires are similar in form to their non-alloy counterparts, but they are made from specialized alloys, which may offer specific advantages such as increased strength, flexibility, or other desired properties.