A clear wire tie is placed when advancing to 14x25 CuNiti wires. This is the same idea as the metal wire tie, it is just the clear option for the cosmetic clear brackets. Wire ties are always placed, unless there is severe rotation and crowding. The duty of the wire tie is to make sure that, as we transition to a rectangular wire and start to get width, no spacing occurs between the anterior/front teeth. The clear tie will only be placed upper 3-3. Even if there is spacing, you would still wire tie so that the spaces do not get any bigger. The reason why you do not wire tie with crowding is because space from width would allow the rotations to unravel, and the same goes with any teeth that are rotated and need space.

Due to discoloration and staining, the clear wire tie will be replaced at every visit. It can be removed by using the ligature cutters to snip anywhere the tie is placed.

To place the clear wire tie, you start by cutting a piece of clear thread (fishing line) that is about 8 inches long. Before placing, place a double knot on the wire, leaving a loop that is about the length of upper 3-3 (5 inches). Start the loop around the upper left 3, and zig zag the thread up above a bracket and then below the next bracket, continuing this pattern with both sides until you reach the upper right 3. Then tighten the double knot that you already made very snug up against the distal side of the bracket. Once snug, repeat the double knot with two loop overs to secure the knot.

Using the ligature cutter, cut the remaining thread leaving about 1mm of each side. The 1mm piece helps the thread not unravel or come undone and is also short enough to not cause the patient discomfort.