A method for localized heat treatment of a region of an orthodontic wire (20)employs a hot air source (30) having a maximum flow rate of approximately 6 -10 liters per minute to selectively heat a small region of the wire (20) abovea predetermined temperature to change its metallurgical properties while thewire (20) is held in a desired shape by an instrument (10) or fixture. Afterthe wire (20) has been maintained at temperature for the required period oftime, it can be released and allowed to cool. For example, these capabilitiesare well-suited for shape-setting localized regions of austenitic Ni-Ti wireand for stress-relieving and normalizing heavily-worked stainless steel wire.
