Braces different types of wires
Braces use archwires such as nickel-titanium or stainless steel, with size and shape selected for each stage of tooth movement.
What types of wires are used during braces treatment?
Braces use archwires such as nickel-titanium or stainless steel, with size and shape selected for each stage of tooth movement.
How does an archwire help move teeth?
The archwire sits in brackets and delivers force through its material, cross-section, and attachments.
What should you do if a braces wire feels sharp?
Do not bend a wire; use orthodontic wax over a sharp end and contact the orthodontic team for a repair.
When does a damaged braces wire need care?
Do not bend a wire; use orthodontic wax over a sharp end and contact the orthodontic team for a repair. Seek prompt care if symptoms persist, worsen, or include swelling, fever, or functional difficulty.
What should you ask about your current braces wire?
Ask what the current wire is designed to move and how to clean around it.
Frequently asked questions
Can this problem settle without treatment?
The archwire sits in brackets and delivers force through its material, cross-section, and attachments.
What should I ask at the visit?
Ask what the current wire is designed to move and how to clean around it.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.