What instrument is used to make bends in the archwire?

The instrument known for making bends in the archwire is the bird beak pliers. These pliers are designed with rounded, tapered tips that allow the dental professional to create precise bends in the archwire, which is crucial in orthodontic treatment. Correct bending of the archwire is essential for guiding the teeth into their desired positions effectively.

The bird beak pliers provide the necessary grip and control needed to manipulate the wire without damaging it, making them a fundamental tool in orthodontics. Other instruments listed do not serve the same function; for example, distal end cutters are used to trim the ends of the wire, hemostats are primarily used for clamping or holding, and sickle scalers are dental instruments used for cleaning teeth and are not involved in wire manipulation. This underscores the specialized role of bird beak pliers in the bending of archwires during orthodontic procedures.