A new Distal Cutting Plier design for orthodontics: reducing cutting force

Wire manipulation is a fundamental aspect of orthodontic treatment, often involving cutting and sectioning auxiliary wires for bracket engagement, band ligation, and other procedures. Aiming to reduce the force applied by the orthodontist when cutting wire edges into the patient’s mouth, this study presents a new design of distal end cutter plier with modification on the pliers joint and compare this experimental design with a conventional distal end cutter plier. A cross-sectional in-vitro study was conducted comparing a new distal end cutter plier and a conventional one, testing them with four archwires of different sizes and material. The cutting force was applied and measured by an EMIC universal testing machine. The force required by the plier with the new proposed design was reduced in about 71.6% of the force required by the conventional one, what may lead to safer orthodontic procedures when compared to the conventional one.