Abstract: A completely corrosion resistant, high strength cutting tool such as an orthodontic wire cutter includes a stainless steel body having a pair of corrosion resistant alloy steel bonding tips brazed thereto. The tips are brazed to the body using a nickel alloy brazing foil at a brazing temperature of approximately 1900 degrees F. After a rough grinding to appropriate shape, the entire tool is heat treated in a process that heats the tool to an austenitizing temperature for the cutting tips that is about 2050 degrees F. and substantially above the brazing temperature to achieve a tip hardness of 62-67 Rc. Thereafter finish grinding, buffing, polishing and honing of the cutting edges completes the manufacture of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A wire-bending plier set for permanently twisting a portion of orthodontic arch wire about the wire axis to enable application of a torque force to a malpositioned tooth. The plier is configured to grip the wire at spaced-apart positions between which the twisting bend is to be made. A lever or key is then engaged with the wire between the gripped areas, and the key is rotated about the wire axis to stress the wire beyond the elastic limit and impart the desired twist.