arch wires and how they work

[josie]

I was just wondering: I know that the ortho will change your arch wires at various points throughout your treatment, but I don't know much about these different stages. Like, what determines when it's time to change to a new wire? How are these wires functioning differently from each other?

I still have my first arch wire in. My ortho said that the wire would need to be level before we could put the next one in because to move to the next wire too soon would risk losing teeth. He said something about getting the teeth straight in 2 dimensions first, before putting the next wire in to get the straight in 3 dimensions. (Ie to get them all level, even if some are straight but in front of each other at the moment.) Can anyone elaborate or explain that more?

Anyways, I was wondering what future wires there might be in store for me, and what different functions these wires are serving?

[MsMichelle]

Hi Josie,

That is a question you should have posed to your ortho. I could tell you what my ortho said but that is not necessarily going to be the same treatment for you. I would suggest asking them and seeing the answer they give you.

[josie]

Ok. I was just wondering because I've read Sunny several times saying that the first phase of having braces is the alignment of the teeth. (Which seems to be what my ortho is saying, when he says that the arch wire has to be straight before we move on.) I was wondering what happens after that, what the subsequent phases are...?

It would still be interesting to know what your ortho said, even though I realise that was relevant to your treatment and might not be the same for me. So do say!

[MsMichelle]

Well my ortho said to me that I am progressing as I should. I am into rotating my upper right tooth near the molars and on my top teeth I am on a 16 and 18 wire on top and bottom.

I also have a powerchain on the bottom and on the front two teeth to assist in closing gaps and such. I didn't have really any problems with any other teeth other than spaces and my one rotated tooth.

She also said that my bottoms are practically done *with some minor tweaking to add 'her perfections' on my teeth*

[josie]

Thanks Michelle. I also found this link, which was really helpful: System Archwire Sequencing

[MsMichelle]

Oh no problem Josie! I am glad that you found that article and I hope that it helps you with your understanding :-)