Edgewise uses a bracket with a horizontal slot of 22x28 and a wire of which material?

Edgewise uses a bracket with a horizontal slot of 22x28 and a wire of which material?

• A. Stainless steel
• B. Precious metal
• C. Titanium
• D. Copper or alloy

Answer: (B)

The important idea is how bracket slot size influences what wire material fits and behaves in the system. A horizontal or rectangular slot measuring 0.022 by 0.028 inches (22x28) requires a wire that can be seated precisely into the slot and flexed without binding. Precious metal wires—typically gold or gold alloys—were historically used with these edgewise brackets because they are highly ductile and easy to anneal and form. This makes it simpler to seat the wire cleanly into the slot and obtain smooth engagement with the bracket, while offering good biocompatibility and corrosion resistance in the oral environment. Stainless steel wires, titanium, or copper/alloys each have their own mechanical qualities, but for this slot size and in the context of traditional edgewise systems, precious metal wires were the conventional choice. Modern practice often emphasizes other materials for performance, but the historical pairing with this slot dimension is precious metal.

The important idea is how bracket slot size influences what wire material fits and behaves in the system. A horizontal or rectangular slot measuring 0.022 by 0.028 inches (22x28) requires a wire that can be seated precisely into the slot and flexed without binding. Precious metal wires—typically gold or gold alloys—were historically used with these edgewise brackets because they are highly ductile and easy to anneal and form. This makes it simpler to seat the wire cleanly into the slot and obtain smooth engagement with the bracket, while offering good biocompatibility and corrosion resistance in the oral environment.

Stainless steel wires, titanium, or copper/alloys each have their own mechanical qualities, but for this slot size and in the context of traditional edgewise systems, precious metal wires were the conventional choice. Modern practice often emphasizes other materials for performance, but the historical pairing with this slot dimension is precious metal.