Abstract: A single pair of pliers for bending orthodontic arch wires in all quadrants of a patient's mouth. Includes first and second actuating members, each including a handle portion for grasping in the hand, and a head portion that projects at an angle. The actuating members are pivotally joined so that the head portions can be moved toward and away from each other into respective closed and open positions. A first occlusal jaw on head portion of the first actuating member has an internally angled channel profile and a second occlusal jaw on the head portion of the second actuating member also has an internally angled channel profile facing the other internal channel. A gingival jaw member having upper and lower externally angled corners is adapted to mate with the internally angled profiles of the upper and lower occlusal jaws, respectively, when the head portions are in the closed position.

Abstract: A single pair of pliers for bending orthodontic arch wires in all quadrants of a patient's mouth. Includes first and second actuating members, each including a handle portion for grasping in the hand, and a head portion that projects at an angle. The actuating members are pivotally joined so that the head portions can be moved toward and away from each other into respective closed and open positions. A first occlusal jaw on head portion of the first actuating member has an internally angled channel profile and a second occlusal jaw on the head portion of the second actuating member also has an internally angled channel profile facing the other internal channel. A gingival jaw member having upper and lower externally angled corners is adapted to mate with the internally angled profiles of the upper and lower occlusal jaws, respectively, when the head portions are in the closed position.

Abstract: The pliers in overall structure resemble conventional orthodontic pliers, but have specialized jaw members adapted to effectuate necessary gingivally directed bends in the distal ends of the arch wire. With reference to an imaginary plane along which the jaw members open and close, a first jaw member projects transversely from this plane and has a free end provided with an angulated, profile facing the longitudinal axis of the pliers. A second jaw member projects transversely to the plane, and has a free end provided with a concave, preferably angulated profile adapted to mate intimately with the convex profile when the jaws are in the closed position. Each of the profiles includes an inner surface closer to the pivot joint of the pliers, oriented perpendicularly to the plane and parallel to the pliers longitudinal axis, and an outer surface farther from the pivot, oriented perpendicularly to the plane and angled obliquely to the longitudinal axis.