Archwire: The Unsung Hero in Your Orthodontic Journey

Name: Archwires | American Association of Orthodontists
Creator: American Association of Orthodontists

In addition to brackets and elastics, archwires are another main component of braces. Archwires fit into the slots in the brackets and are responsible for actually moving your teeth. Without an archwire, you’d be wearing the brackets of braces but they wouldn’t help move or straighten your teeth.

It is called archwire because your top teeth make up your top arch and your bottom teeth make up your lower arch. Archwires come in many different sizes; therefore, it’s best to contact your orthodontic specialist for a treatment option tailored to your individual needs.

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American Association of Orthodontists›Treatments›Archwires

Do I Need Archwires?

Archwires are normally installed along with braces and are used to help correct irregularities in the teeth’s positioning. Archwires can also be used to maintain dental positions, acting as a retainer.

Round Archwires

When viewed in cross-section, the shape of the wire is round. Round archwires are often used in earlier stages of orthodontic treatment to level and align teeth.

Archwire with rounded edges, usually used in the early stages of orthodontic treatment.

Rectangular Archwires

When viewed in cross-section, the shape of this archwire is rectangular – square on both ends with a long segment in between. Rectangular archwires are often used in later stages of orthodontic treatment to control and refine tooth movement.