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Orthodontic archwire
open-in-new
<p>An archwire in <a href="/facts/Orthodontics/Np2rL0b4">orthodontics</a> is a <a href="/facts/Wire/yyy05H1S">wire</a> conforming to the alveolar or <a href="/facts/Dental_arch/nhevT4Iv">dental arch</a> that can be used with <a href="/facts/Dental_braces/vErE42L6">dental braces</a> as a source of force in correcting irregularities in the position of the <a href="/facts/Tooth/Wc6IqwVf">teeth</a>. An archwire can also be used to maintain existing dental positions; in this case it has a <a href="/facts/Retainer_(orthodontic_device)/QzPcb0SU">retentive</a> purpose. </p><p>Orthodontic archwires may be fabricated from several <a href="/facts/Alloy/I7w7WQWR">alloys</a>, most commonly <a href="/facts/Stainless_steel/IDdo8bEx">stainless steel</a>, <a href="/facts/Nickel_titanium/0qoDhI0w">nickel-titanium alloy</a> (NiTi), and beta-titanium alloy (composed primarily of <a href="/facts/Titanium/53ArnDoy">titanium</a> and <a href="/facts/Molybdenum/RX6vp2bF">molybdenum</a>). </p>