arch wire

arch wire
a wire attached to molar bands or an orthodontic appliance and applied around the dental arch to control and force tooth movement in orthodontic therapy. Called also orthodontic w.

Arch wire connecting attachments on each dental arch.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • arch wire ideal — the configuration of an arch wire that conforms as closely as possible to the desired ultimate shape of the arch for a particular individual …   Medical dictionary

  • arch — Any structure resembling a bent bow or an a.; an arc. In anatomy, any vaulted or archlike structure. See arcus. SYN: arcus [TA]. [thru O. Fr. fr. L. arcus, bow] abdominothoracic a. a bell shaped line defined by the lower end of the sternum and… …   Medical dictionary

  • wire — wirable, adj. wirelike, adj. /wuyeur/, n., adj., v., wired, wiring. n. 1. a slender, stringlike piece or filament of relatively rigid or flexible metal, usually circular in section, manufactured in a great variety of diameters and metals… …   Universalium

  • wire — /ˈwaɪə / (say wuyuh) noun 1. a piece of slender, flexible metal, ranging from a thickness that can be bent by the hand only with some difficulty down to a fine thread, and usually circular in section. 2. such pieces as a material. 3. a length of… …  

  • wire — Slender and pliable rod or thread of metal. arch w. SYN: archwire. guide w. See guidewire. Kirschner w. an apparatus for skeletal traction in long bone …   Medical dictionary

  • arch bar — any of several types of heavy wire bars shaped to the outer circumference of the dental arch and extending from one side to the other so that intervening teeth may be attached to it; used for treatment of fractures of the jaws and for… …   Medical dictionary

  • ligature wire — a soft, thin wire used to tie an arch wire to band attachments or brackets in an orthodontic appliance …   Medical dictionary

  • fixed lingual arch — a space retaining appliance consisting of an arch wire designed to fit the lingual surface of the teeth, and soldered to metal crowns or orthodontic bands. Called also stationary lingual a …   Medical dictionary

  • orthodontic wire — arch w …   Medical dictionary

  • Lingual arch — A lingual arch is an orthodontic device which connects two molars in the upper or lower dental arch. The lower lingual arch (LLA) has an archwire adapted to the lingual side of the lower teeth. In the upper arch the archwire is usually connecting …   Wikipedia

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