Orthodontic pliers are an essential tool for the orthodontist and general dentist. But do you really know how many types of orthodontic pliers there are and what they are really used for? A proverb says that every professional should have a pair of pliers, and the pliers of dentists are the same pliers.
In this blog post, we are going to cover the main models that every dentist uses. And certainly to summarize other models that can facilitate the orthodontist’s work in the most specialized treatments.
What points should be considered in choosing the most suitable orthodontic pliers?
There are many brands and models in the market, some need no introduction, such as the Angle Plier. And for decades, they have been among the main tools of every dental clinic, both in the field of orthodontics and in general dentistry. Other models parallel to new orthodontic treatments have appeared as evolutions and changes to meet the needs of new materials such as NiTi and its elastic deformability to create a permanent shape to the wire, or pioneering brackets with new forms of closure and minimum. Sized for placement that requires more precise and accurate dental instruments.
But what is the difference between two orthodontic pliers with a similar appearance that have a price difference that can double or triple? Buying orthodontic pliers should be considered as an investment. Whether it’s for a dental student, whether it’s a specialist dentist, or to do any coordination on the denture hook, which doesn’t require excessive payments.
The minimum requirement for orthodontic pliers and related to other orthodontic instruments is that they are made of high quality steel, which is required by law to ensure proper sterilization and corrosion resistance. However, due to the properties of treatment and handling, they need more strength to survive the constant tension, bending and shearing of the wires to avoid wear or deformation at the edge and the most used part.
An example of an orthodontic angle plier
What is the best brand of orthodontic pliers?
In the market, we can find a lot of pliers suitable for academic medical use and at hand. But for an orthodontist, choosing an orthodontic plier with low depreciation and long life is a priority. So they go for the top brands. Brands such as Hu-Friedy, Otto Liebinger or Carl Martin, etc., have the same model in different and improved covers in their catalogs. Alloys such as tungsten and titanium give them extra strength for the toughest clinical conditions. Unfortunately, due to import restrictions, we are rarely able to use brands that are giants in our industry.
However, we at Spatula, with our extensive research and reviews, have tried to substitute the best possible brands that are more accessible and reliable, and to some extent equal to the top brands in terms of quality. One of the best replaceable brands that we can introduce to you is Dental Devices.
Appearance characteristics and application of orthodontic pliers
One of the easiest ways to classify orthodontic pliers is based on their specific function in the specialty, and even though some of them can be very versatile, the following are among them:
Bond pliers
As the name suggests, they help remove tapes, adhesives and supports. The most important part is the tip or peak of the band that separates the band, it can be serrated for excellent handling and with a plastic pad at the other end.
There are general and specific models for anterior and posterior bands, the most important detail to consider is that the handle should be comfortable and long enough to provide adequate access to the posterior area.
Glue remover pliers
Adhesive Removal Pliers have a blade on one side with an occlusal pad on the other to remove adhesives and bonding agents. They can also be used to remove metal and cosmetic brackets.
The tips can be made of stainless steel or with tungsten carbide inserts for better grip and a better angle for rear access. Some also have a spring mechanism for better durability.
Contouring pliers
These highly versatile orthodontic pliers are ideal for shaping and contouring molar bands and matching crown lines. They are also particularly useful for placing prominent curves in wires.
Contouring pliers can offer a slotted tip surface for precise gripping of specific size arcs or may be unslotted to contour the wire to match the thickness of the tip being inserted.
They should provide a secure grip to prevent the wires from scratching when contouring and bending the arches.
Crimp pliers
Crimping pliers have a variety of uses, including placing stops and tubes in arches, crimping bands and gingival margins of crowns to ensure a tight fit, and gluing and hooking hooks.
They can be angled or straight and should have a thin tip for better access inside the mouth. They are specially designed to prevent damage or shearing of hooks, strips or tubes during compression.
Hollow plier
Hollow forceps are used to reconstruct and contour the arches and form the palatine arches. The tips are arranged with concave and convex jaws to make restoration simple and accurate. This type of orthodontic forceps works well on stainless steel and NiTi (Nickel Titanium) archwires up to 0.020 inch.
Ring orthodontic pliers
Pliers designed to form rings on orthodontic arches. It has special tips to facilitate bending in different thicknesses, it is important to ensure the compatibility of the tool according to the thickness of the steel to be bent to achieve comfort.
Elastic plier
Pliers designed to expand and hold the elastic during placement. These pliers offer a long tapered barrel-shaped tip for basic access and placement of each quadrant.
The tops may be slanted and the tip notched to prevent slipping until the tape is ready to be inserted. The opening width is often controlled by a screw.
Specialized orthodontic plier
Due to the variety and innovation of some treatments, there are specialized orthodontic pliers that may include a variety of orthodontic forceps designed to perform complex dental procedures, such as precise Nancy ring shaping, retainer shaping, tweed and spiral rings, external adjustment. face and bow , crown mining among others.
The active part of this specialized orthodontic pliers is designed to perform a specific procedure. They may include tungsten carbide inserts for added strength, excellent adhesion and prevention of sharp and pointed ends when cutting.
Translation reference: www.dentaltix.com