Orthodontic Wire Cutters

Types of orthodontic wire cutters

Distal end cutters

Jaws at a right angle to the handles trim the archwire end that extends beyond the last molar buccal tube, and a hold feature keeps the cut piece so it does not fall into the mouth. Cut-and-hold patterns come standard, classic, lap-joint, long-handle, slim, round-body and mini — see the cut & hold distal end cutter and the tungsten carbide tip distal end cutter. Flush cut patterns cut level with the end of the tube and hold the piece with a spring clip, as on the flush cut & spring hold cutter and the micro mini flush cutter.

Hard wire and lab cutters

Inserted edges cut stiff stainless steel and NiTi archwire, straight (hard wire cutter) or 15° angled for posterior access. The heavy duty lab wire cutter has carbide tips for heavy-gauge wire at the bench.

Pin and ligature cutters

For ligature wire ties, elastic ligatures, pins and soft wire, in standard, mini, micro mini, slim, long-handle and round-body heads, straight or angled at 15° and 30°: see the pin and ligature cutter and the 15° angled version.

How to choose an ortho wire cutter

• Match the cutter to the wire. Archwire ends → distal end cutter; stiff archwire elsewhere → hard wire cutter; ligatures, pins and soft wire → pin and ligature cutter. A pin and ligature cutter is not made for archwire.
• Cut and hold or flush cut. Both keep the cut piece; flush cut patterns leave the wire level with the tube.
• Head size and angle. Mini, micro mini and slim heads and angled tips reach posterior and crowded areas.
• Joint and inserts. Box or lap joint governs blade alignment; tungsten carbide inserts are on the TC models.

What are orthodontic wire cutters used for?

Fixed appliance work: trimming the archwire behind the molar tube after placement, cutting stiff archwire, and cutting ligature ties, pins and elastic ligatures. A braces wire cutter for archwire ends is a distal end cutter. The lab cutter cuts heavy-gauge wire for appliances at the bench.

How BusinessMed orthodontic cutters are made

Our dental wire cutters are German stainless steel with a satin, non-reflective finish; tungsten carbide inserts on the TC models. Reusable, autoclavable and covered by a 5-year warranty.