Wire poking is one of the biggest reason why patients visit orthodontic clinic in emergency. It can be painful to patients and sometimes the wire can penetrate deep into the cheek. As an orthodontist or a dentist, it is important to prepare wires nicely before patients leave your office so that patient doesn’t come back/
![](https://wow-ortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wire-poking.jpg)
Insufficient cinching. Fortunately, the patient did not have discomfort. If this cinch was made at the 2nd molar, it would had poked the cheek.
Cinch or not cinch
For any wires that can slide through the bracket requires any type of resistance against the sliding. For thicker and more rigid wire such as 16×22 NiTi/ SS or 17×25 NiTi/ SS, cinching the wire is not needed in most cases. Instead, placing the stoppers will be an easier alternative.
For wires with smaller dimension, cinch is needed.
![](https://wow-ortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Wire-cinch-1024x625.jpg)
Good example of cinch
Requirements of cinching
- Angulation of the cinch
- Strength of the cinch
- Distance to the Enamel