Dental Corporation of America (DCA) Orthodontic pliers are specially designed to fit within the mouth and adjust orthodontic equipment, particularly braces. Pliers are orthodontic instruments that allow orthodontists to exert a great deal of control over how orthodontic contraptions are installed, maintained, and removed. Orthodontic pliers regularly snip wires, tighten brackets, and bend metal bands. Most orthodontists have several pairs of pliers, each optimized for a different task.