- Kirschner w. an apparatus for skeletal traction in long bone fracture or for fracture fixation. SYN: Kirschner apparatus.
- ligature w. a soft thin w. of stainless steel used in dentistry to tie an archwire to band attachments or brackets.
- separating w. a w., usually of soft brass, used to gain separation between teeth. SEE ALSO: separation (2).
- wrought w. a w. formed by drawing a cast structure through a die into a desired shape and size; used in dentistry for partial denture clasps and orthodontic appliances.
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wire 'wī(ə)r n metal thread or a rod used in surgery to suture soft tissue or transfix fractured bone and in orthodontic dentistry to position teeth
wire vt, wired; wir·ing
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(wīr) 1. a long, slender, flexible structure of metal, used in surgery and dentistry. 2. to insert such strands into a body structure, as into a broken bone to immobilize fragments, or into an aneurysm to promote clot formation.Medical dictionary. 2011.