Orthodontics refers to a dedicated dentistry aiming to correct jaw alignment and malocclusions. It depends on skill, precision and usage of right orthodontic instruments. Proper teeth movement deems a proficient and experienced dentist with well-equipped tray of braces.
This blog deals with a number of important instruments detailing the functions so you can have better idea about the treatments. Don’t miss to read it out.
What are the key functions of orthodontic instruments?
Before we take a dive into the types of instruments available to promote the treatment, it’s imperative to know about its purposes. It is ready to serve for:
- Diagnosis and treatment planning
- Appliances placement and adjustment
- Application of biochemical forces
- Removal, detailing and finishing
Now, it’s time to get into the world of diverse instruments available in orthodontics.
Diagnostic instruments
- Orthodontic mirrors
Angled or straight mirrors promote in viewing the posterior teeth, reflective imaging and undercut areas during diagnosis. Some quality mirrors possess anti-fog coatings for better clarity.
- Periodontal probes
It is quite helpful in recording pocket depths for correct diagnosis of periodontal health. These millimeter-indicated and thin probes assist in orthodontic examination as gingival health influences the treatment.
- Orthodontic calipers
Digital or vernier calipers take measurement of inter-molar and inter-canine widths, tooth size and arch length. It is precise with 0.1mm, enabling precise treatment planning.
Banding and bonding instruments
- Band seaters
Specific tools such as bite stick powders or joint band seaters press on molar bands so it fits snugly into the place aiding the biting force of the patients.
- Band bending pliers
It incorporates in shaping stainless steel bands for a perfect fit around molars. So, you can have essential alignment and retention prior to cementation.
- Bracket placement forceps
Basically it is akin to a tweezer and holds on metal or ceramic brackets at the time of precise placement. The designs possess active grip tips to allow transfer from pad-to-archwire.
- Composite placement instruments
These instruments have a plating of Teflon or stainless steel and are highly effective in transferring adhesive to tooth from pad ensuring minimum excess.
- Light-curing devices
Different lights types including plasma, LED or quartz-tungsten-halogen are available in pen or handheld form for rapid polymerization of adhesives. However, LED is widely preferable these days.
Archwire handling instruments
Pliers for archwire adjustment
- Bird beak pliers- It helps in creating bends, loops and NiTi adjustments and developing utility arch shapes.
- Weingart utility pliers- The strong tips of this device can hold on wires securely incorporating in insertion of archwires into tight brackets.
- Three-pong pliers- Symmetrical curve archwires can be useful to close loops or round-wire detailing.
- Distal end cutters- It will shear wire ends going father distal molars to offer a bended end as it mitigate the risk of lip irritation.
- Ligature cutters- It will flush off the clip ligature wire with archwire effectively.
Archwire benders
It is beneficial for placement of last-minute bends in archwires for optimization of position retention, tooth placement or torque.
Ligature and elastomeric instruments
- Ligature directors- This device guides wire ligatures underlying archwires at the time of bracket engagement.
- Ligature tie tools- It enables fast wire ligatures wind up around the brackets for secure positioning of the wires.
- Elastic ring placement pliers- These are perfect to grab up the tiny elastic rings and if released it will snap around the bracket wings fast.
Auxiliary mechanics instruments
- Chain and spring cutters- This orthodontic instrument is quite sharp to cut off the elastic chains along NiTi power springs without any distortion or fray.
- Coil spring placing pliers- Wide tool tips for holding on open-coil springs and sliding them into the archwires carefully.
- Power chain stretchers- It is a modern instrument helping in positioning and stretching the chains to accelerate the process.
- Distalisers and separators tools- It is a specific plier to apply separators (springs, rings and elastics) and create interproximal space for banding.
Debonding and finishing instruments
- Debonding pliers- Pliers such as How Pliers or Lingual Debonding Pliers can deal with adhesive-enamel bond fracture safely on metal or ceramic brackets ensuring little enamel damage.
- Adhesive removers- Carbide burs or scalers are highly efficient in removal of residual adhesive post bracket removal without compromise the enamel.
- Finishing and contouring burs- It involves low-speed handpieces to fit with polishing burs. It will refine the enamel texture after-treatment ensuring smooth surfaces.
Specialty instruments
- Miniscrew (TAD) insertion tools- It comprises certain devices like torque wrenches and driver handles for temporary placement of anchorage devices with precision.
- Auxiliary of channel instruments- Special pliers and screwdrivers are essential to manage special attachments such as Herbst appliances.
- Impression trays and instruments- Customized impression trays (perforated or rigid) consist of PVS syringes, alginate and forceps to make precise impressions.
Wrapping up
Orthodontic treatment is all about a synergy of biology and biomechanics. Which are easily you can buy from Ortix London Instruments mastery enables the orthodontist in orchestrating the treatment progression with precision and efficacy. The evolution of technologies – from robotics to 3D printing ensures effective use of orthodontic instruments in London for patient-centric and highest standard of care.
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