Chapter 24

Descriptions and photographs of most commonly used instruments and auxiliaries

Acid etch

Chemical gel used before primer to prepare tooth surface prior to bonding an attachment (Figure 24.1)

Adams clasp (crib)

Clasp (sometimes called a Crib) used on removable appliances for retention (Figure 24.2)

Adams pliers

Plier used to adjust wire components on removable appliance (Figure 24.3)

Adhesive and Primer

Material that bonds brackets, tubes, etc. to teeth (Figure 24.4)

Adhesive-removing pliers

Plier with a blade that removes adhesive from tooth after debonding (Figure 24.5)

Aesthetic bracket

Less visible, non-metal bracket (Figure 24.6)

Appliance box

Box to keep removable appliance safe when out of the mouth, e.g. sport (Figure 24.7)

Arch wire

Formed wire used in fixed appliances (Figure 24.8)

Arch wire stand

Convenient holder for many different sizes of arch wire (Figure 24.9)

Australian wire

Type of spooled steel wire (Figure 24.10)

Band

Metal ring cemented around molar tooth (Figure 24.11)

Band-slitter pliers

For cutting bands to release them from tooth (Figure 24.12)

Bird-beak pliers

Multi-use with fixed appliances, popular, strong, has a round and a square beak (Figure 24.13)

Bite stick

Nylon. Patient bites on this to fully seat metal band. Has triangular bite pad, which may be soft metal, autoclavable (Figure 24.14)

Bonded retainer

Wire or metal bar cemented to the lingual side of teeth as a fixed retainer (Figure 24.15)

Bracket

A metal or ceramic attachment bonded to the teeth in fixed appliances through which the arch wire is slotted (Figure 24.16)

Bracket-holding tweezers

For use with direct bonding. Holds individual bracket, when placing onto tooth. Press handles together to open beak to release bracket (Figure 24.17)

Bracket-removing pliers

For use on steel, plastic and ceramic brackets (Figure 24.18)

Braided wire

Wire made up of several strands braided together (Figure 24.19)

Buccal tube

Tube, can be bonded to the cheek surface of tooth or may be welded to a band. Tube can be of round or rectangular section into which the arch wire fits (Figure 24.20)

Bump-r-sleeve

Clear sleeving, fits over arch wire to prevent wire cutting into soft tissues (Figure 24.21)

Cement

Lining material inside the band when fitted on a tooth, eliminates space between band and enamel (Figure 24.22)

Chain

Line of joined elastic links, available in various sizes, can be clear or coloured (Figure 24.23)

Cheek retractor

Plastic frame, keeps lips and cheeks away from teeth and gives better vision, access and moisture control (Figure 24.24)

Cleat

Metal attachment that can be welded to bands or bonded to teeth (Figure 24.25)

Coil (open and closed)

Sold on spools, to either open or maintain a space (Figure 24.26)

Coil springs (NiTi)

Fits over fixed appliance attachment and used to close spaces, particularly of extraction sites (Figure 24.27)

Coon’s ligature-tying pliers

Plier for tying metal ligatures (Figure 24.28)

Stay updated, free dental videos. Join our Telegram channel

Join