Traditional Braces and Memory Wires

Colored bands can be used with traditional braces.

Braces straighten crooked teeth and fix bite misalignment by applying constant pressure to the teeth in order to move them into the proper position. An orthodontist may recommend traditional braces or memory wires to correct these dental problems.

Function

The two main parts of braces are brackets and arch wires. Brackets are small squares of shaped metal or ceramic cemented to each tooth to hold the arch wire in place. The arch wire is bent and threaded through the brackets, applying pressure to the teeth.

Types

Traditional braces use arch wires made of stainless steel because of its strength. Memory wires commonly used today are nitinol and thermal titanium. Nitinol is an alloy of nickel and titanium; this material has the ability to return to its original shape after bending. Thermal titanium is temperature sensitive, and the wire memory activates when placed in the mouth.

Considerations

Stainless steel wires tend to lose the ability to exert pressure, which leads to frequent adjusting. Nitinol arch wires have excellent elasticity, which helps reduce the number of brace changes. Thermal titanium wires are self-adjusting and self-tightening as they return to their original shape.

References

• Web MD: Dental Braces and Retainers
• Brier Creek Orthodontics: Types of Braces
• Specialist in Orthodontics: Braces
• NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS): Dental Arch Wire