Orthodontic wires: Knowledge to optimize clinical application

Abstract

The huge variety of orthodontic wires brands available in market might generate confusion as regard to the best choice for clinical application. Therefore mechanical properties knowledge about wires would help the professional to apply the best orthodontic technique depending on the treatment phase. The wires manufacturing evolution and the new orthodontic techniques proposed guided the market into the search for better quality alloys, in order to make them biologically more effective to teeth and support tissues. This paper aims to summarize some main characteristics of orthodontic wires related to their history, mechanical properties and clinical application as regard to individual phase of treatment.