An Arch Wire is a metal wire which is attached to the orthodontic brackets to move the teeth. It is called an “arch wire” because the wire spans the entire length of each arch in your mouth.
Arch Wires can be made of various materials, such as: metal alloys, stainless steel, cobalt-chromium, nickel-titanium (Niti), or beta-titanium (TMA). Most Arch Wires are silver color, but some are white or tooth-colored to use with tooth-colored Brackets. They also come in different thicknesses, shapes, and degrees of stiffness. Orthodontists choose an Arch Wire based on the patient’s specific treatment and the desired outcome. During the course of treatment, several different types of Arch Wires might be used.