An orthodontic arch wire stop (20, 170, 200, 300, 320, 340, 400) for attaching to an arch wire (50, 202), the arch wire stop (20, 170, 200, 300, 320, 340, 400) comprising: a body (26, 174, 208, 306, 326, 343, 402) made of a material selected from the group consisting of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, and solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III; the body (26, 174, 208, 306, 326, 343, 402) having first and second, spaced apart arm portions (40, 42, 178, 180, 220, 222) connected to each other; the first arm portion (40, 178, 220) including a first jaw portion (44, 226, 350) having a first inner, arch wire-gripping surface (78, 268, 346); the second arm portion (42, 180, 222) including a second jaw portion (46, 230, 352) having a second inner, arch wire-gripping surface (80, 270, 348); the first and second inner gripping surfaces (78, 80, 268, 270, 346, 348) being disposed opposite one another in spaced relation, the space between the first and second inner gripping surfaces (78, 80, 268, 270, 346, 348) defining a station (48, 232, 342) for receiving the arch wire (50, 202) therein, at least a portion of the arch wire receiving station (48, 232, 342) being sized smaller than the arch wire (50, 202); the body (26, 174, 208, 306, 326, 343, 402) further including an entranceway (70, 252) defined between the first and second arm portions (40, 42, 178, 180, 220, 222), the entranceway (70, 252) providing access to the arch wire receiving station (48, 232, 342); the first and second arm portions (40, 42, 178, 180, 220, 222) being resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other when the arch wire (50, 202) is admitted through the entranceway (70, 252) into the arch wire receiving station (48, 232, 342); the first and second inner gripping surfaces (78, 80, 268, 270, 346, 348) engaging the arch wire (50, 202) and applying opposing gripping forces against the arch wire (50, 202) so as to substantially prevent displacement of the arch wire stop (20, 170, 200, 300, 320, 340, 400) relative to the arch wire (50, 202) in at least a mesial or distal direction, when the arch wire (50, 202) is seated within the arch wire receiving station (48, 232, 342). a body (26, 174, 208, 306, 326, 343, 402) made of a material selected from the group consisting of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, and solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III; the body (26, 174, 208, 306, 326, 343, 402) having first and second, spaced apart arm portions (40, 42, 178, 180, 220, 222) connected to each other; the first arm portion (40, 178, 220) including a first jaw portion (44, 226, 350) having a first inner, arch wire-gripping surface (78, 268, 346); the second arm portion (42, 180, 222) including a second jaw portion (46, 230, 352) having a second inner, arch wire-gripping surface (80, 270, 348); the first and second inner gripping surfaces (78, 80, 268, 270, 346, 348) being disposed opposite one another in spaced relation, the space between the first and second inner gripping surfaces (78, 80, 268, 270, 346, 348) defining a station (48, 232, 342) for receiving the arch wire (50, 202) therein, at least a portion of the arch wire receiving station (48, 232, 342) being sized smaller than the arch wire (50, 202); the body (26, 174, 208, 306, 326, 343, 402) further including an entranceway (70, 252) defined between the first and second arm portions (40, 42, 178, 180, 220, 222), the entranceway (70, 252) providing access to the arch wire receiving station (48, 232, 342); the first and second arm portions (40, 42, 178, 180, 220, 222) being resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other when the arch wire (50, 202) is admitted through the entranceway (70, 252) into the arch wire receiving station (48, 232, 342); the first and second inner gripping surfaces (78, 80, 268, 270, 346, 348) engaging the arch wire (50, 202) and applying opposing gripping forces against the arch wire (50, 202) so as to substantially prevent displacement of the arch wire stop (20, 170, 200, 300, 320, 340, 400) relative to the arch wire (50, 202) in at least a mesial or distal direction, when the arch wire (50, 202) is seated within the arch wire receiving station (48, 232, 342).