Rectangular wires

[jem]

I anticipate getting a rectangular profile wire at my next or next but one adjustment. The size of these wires is often referred to as 14X25 or 18X25. I understand that the 25 means .025 of an inch. But when looking at your teeth from the front, do you see the .025 dimension or the .014? Or in other words, will the wire look bigger than my current .018 round profile wire?

And why are imperial rather then metric dimensions used- is it because the USA is dominant in the practice of orthodontics?

Jem

[kellyb]

Sorry i dont know the answer to your question but it wd b interesting to know the answer as well though i understand i wont b needing rectangular wires.

[brucebadonde]

Im a Mechanical Engineer to trade - the 0.007" possible increase in thickness is tiny. A human fingernail is 0.015" thick. 0,007 inches is 0.18mm.

And yes, orthodontic parts must be made in USA, which is the only country on earth to still use inches.

[coconutqueen]

I think you may find that a few other countries still use imperial units of measurement e.g. Britain, Canada.

[OldBikerBag]

Nothing wrong with imperial measurements. Kinda nice being nonconformist.

[gapsbegone]

Britain is mostly metric these days, I wasn't taught imperial units at school and that was back in the 80s!

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

I know this is old but you see the 14 in the front.