Storing Temperature-Sensitive Wires

Temperature-sensitive wires need to be chilled before placement. To avoid having to use a refrigerant spray, we keep a supply of wires in the lab refrigerator. When a patient needs an archwire change or a new bonding requires a flexible wire, we simply remove one from the refrigerator (Fig. A). This permits bracket engagement with minimal force (Fig. B), making the procedure more comfortable for the patient, and saves chairtime.

We also keep a few ligature directors in the refrigerator for use in patients who already have temperature-sensitive archwires, but need more brackets engaged. Unlike refrigerant sprays, this method does not require removal of the archwire.¹