Patent ID: 7244121

Claim:
An archwire of substantially rectangular cross-section which, in conjunction with a set of orthodontic brackets having slots to edgewise receive the archwire, applies torque forces to selected teeth, the archwire comprising: a continuous, elongated member of titanium-based alloy formed to have a plurality of segments, including, a curved anterior segment having a centerpoint, which segment upon insertion into corresponding bracket slots, extends substantially parallel to the four central and lateral teeth with the centerpoint positioned between the brackets on the two central teeth; first and second transition segments, each extending distally from a respective end of the anterior segment; and first and second posterior segments extending distally from, respectively, the distal ends of the first and second transition segments; wherein the anterior segment has a positive built-in torque which is substantially the same over the length of the segment each of the posterior segments has a negative built-in torque which is substantially the same over the length of the segment and each transition segment, upon insertion of the archwire into the bracket slots, is positioned corresponding to a bracket on a cuspid tooth, the transition segments each having approximately 0° built-in torque.