Orthodontic Instruments

Elastic Separators

Photos courtesy DynaFlex, St. Louis, MO.

Functions

To separate teeth prior to banding a tooth for orthodontic braces

To place around contact area of tooth

Characteristic

Elastomeric separators—Various sizes for different contact areas

Practice Note

Separators are placed on orthodontic separating tray setup.

Elastomeric Separators should be disposed of in the garbage. Single use only.

Elastic Separating Pliers

Function

To grip and place separators around contact area of tooth

Characteristic

Single ended

Practice Note

Elastic Separating Pliers are only used on the orthodontic tray setup.

Elastic Separating Pliers must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping. Hinged instruments should be processed open and unlocked.

Steel Spring Separators/Brass Wire Separators

Photos courtesy Patterson Dental Co. Inc., St. Paul, MN (Steel Spring Separators) and DynaFlex, St. Louis, MO (Brass Wire Separators).

Functions

To separate teeth prior to banding a tooth for orthodontic braces

To place around contact area of tooth

Characteristics

Steel Spring Separators—Various sizes for different-sized contact areas

Brass Wire Separators—Placed around contact and twisted clockwise, then cut 3 mm and tucked in order not to impinge on tissue or occlusion

Placed with orthodontic hemostat or bird beak pliers

Practice Note

Separators are placed on orthodontic separating tray setup.

Steel Spring Separators and Brass Wire Separators should be disposed of in a Sharps container. Single use only.

Orthodontic Band with Tubing and Hook

Functions

To fit and cement or bond band around the middle third of the coronal part of the tooth

To hold orthodontic arch wire in place (arch wire moves the teeth, many different shapes and sizes)

To secure headgear in tubing on band

Characteristics

Band

Tubing:

Arch wire tube (top)—Holds arch wire in place

Headgear tube (bottom)—Holds headgear in place

Hook—Place where elastics are attached

Practice Note

Orthodontic Band is used on orthodontic banding tray setup.

Orthodontic Band should be disposed of in a Sharps container. Single use only.

Band Pusher

Function

To push orthodontic bands into place during try-in and cementing phases

Characteristic

Single or double ended

Practice Note

Band Pusher is only used on the orthodontic tray setup.

Band Pusher must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping.

Band Pusher or Plugger with Scaler

Functions

To seat or place orthodontic bands during try-in and cementing phases

To remove excess material after cementation or bonding of bands

Characteristics

Double ended:

Band Pusher or Plugger

Scaler

Practice Note

Band Pusher with Scaler is only used on the orthodontic tray setup.

Band Pusher or Plugger with Scaler must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping.

Band Seater—Bite Stick

Function

To assist seating or placing of orthodontic bands for try-in or cementing phase

Characteristics

Single ended

Available in square tip or triangle tip (pictured)

Practice Notes

The patient bites down on the smooth end of the instrument to apply pressure to seat the band.

Band Seater—Bite Stick is only used on the orthodontic tray setup.

Band Seater—Bite Stick must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping.

Orthodontic Bracket

Function

To hold orthodontic arch wire in place (Arch wire moves the teeth.)

Characteristics

Band is bonded to tooth.

Brackets (cleats)—Hold arch wire in place

Many different types available:

Metal brackets

Ceramic brackets (for esthetic purposes)

Practice Note

Orthodontic Brackets are used on orthodontic bonding tray setup.

Orthodontic Brackets should be disposed of in a Sharps container. Single use only.

Bracket Placement Card

Function

To place each bracket and/or band on card according to tooth placement in mouth

Characteristic

Tape on card holds brackets in place before they are bonded to teeth.

Practice Note

Bracket Placement Card is only used on the orthodontic tray setup.

Bracket Placement Card should be disposed of in the garbage. Single use only.

Bracket Placement Card for Damon Self-Ligating Brackets with Self-Ligating Instrument

Functions

To place each bracket on card according to tooth placement in mouth

Instrument—To close bracket around arch wire; ligature tie not needed

Characteristic

Tape on card holds brackets in place before they are bonded to teeth.

Practice Note

Bracket Placement Card and Self-Ligating Instrument are used only on orthodontic bonding bracket tray setup.

Bracket Placement Card should be disposed of in the garbage. Single use only. Self-Ligating Instrument must be cleaned, bagged individually or bagged/wrapped in a tray setup, and then sterilized. A chemical/steam indicator device should be included in the wrapping.