It’s no wonder that sitting in an orthodontic clinic can be an intimidating experience (At least it was for me). When you take a closer look at the assortment of instruments on the tray beside your dental chair, you realize that there is an entire world of orthodontic tools there. Many of these tools resemble something out of a laboratory or an industrial setting. Each tool has a function, each has a history, and none were placed randomly.
Orthodontics is more than brackets and wires; it is a science based on precision, repetition and control – all measured in increments of a millimeter. Therefore, the orthodontic tools that make up this process are much more important to clinicians, technicians and orthodontic practices purchasing orthodontic equipment and ortho supplies than most patients realize. Understanding the tools necessary for orthodontic procedures is not an option, it is a necessity.
Below is a non-technical explanation of the various types of orthodontic tools, including examples of how each tool is used and reasons why they have been designed in certain ways.
Why Orthodontic Instruments Are Important Today
Digital workflows have certainly made orthodontics easier. The ability to create and modify digital models and to create custom-made clear braces has simplified many aspects of the practice. However, the actual hands-on aspect of orthodontic treatment is still largely a physical process. Orthodontists must still bend and shape wires, position and adjust brackets, and add and remove ligatures. All of these processes require orthodontic tools.
Therefore, even though digital planning guides the final result, it is the orthodontic tools that ultimately produce the desired result.
Diagnostic Instruments
Diagnostic instruments include those that assist in assessing the patient’s current state prior to the installation of orthodontic appliances (brackets).
Mouth Mirrors
Mouth mirrors are perhaps one of the simplest yet most useful instruments in orthodontics. The mirror is used to provide an indirect view of the posterior teeth and to retract soft tissue away from the area being examined. Additionally, the mirror provides a source of reflected light into difficult-to-reach areas.
The size of the mirror and the comfort of the handle are more important factors than many people give credit.
Explorers and Probes
Explorers and probes are used to examine the surface of the teeth to determine if the enamel is ready to accept an orthodontic band, to measure the distance from the gingival margin to the bracket slot, and to check the fit of the bracket on the tooth.
Unlike some other areas of dentistry, explorers/probes are not primarily used to detect caries. Instead, they are used to assess spatial relationships.
When ordering ortho supplies, diagnostic instruments are commonly overlooked, however poor-quality diagnostic instruments fatigue the clinician’s hand rapidly during long clinic days.
Orthodontic Bracket Placement Instruments
Once the decision to proceed with orthodontic treatment is made, the next step is to attach the orthodontic brackets to the patient’s teeth. This process requires great precision and accuracy.
Bracket Holding Tweezers
The bracket holding tweezers are designed with a spring-loaded tip to hold the orthodontic bracket securely against the tooth while the orthodontist transfers the bracket from the bracket tray to the tooth without touching the adhesive.
The spring tension is critical to avoid dropping the bracket or distorting the bracket.
Bracket Positioning Gauges
Bracket positioning gauges are typically adjustable gauges which allow the orthodontist to measure the distance from the incisal edge or cusp tip of the tooth to the bracket slot and to ensure that the bracket is positioned correctly on the teeth.
These gauges are used repeatedly throughout the day, and therefore, good orthodontic suppliers should understand that poorly constructed gauges will fail rapidly due to metal fatigue.
Measurements will also drift as the gauge deteriorates, which will eventually be noticed by the clinician.
Orthodontic Bonding/Adhesive Instruments
Bonding/adhesive instruments are used to apply the adhesive material to the bracket, the tooth or both.
Adhesive Placement Spatulas
Adhesive placement spatulas are used to apply the adhesive to the bracket and/or the tooth. The design characteristics of the spatula, specifically the angle of the blade, the thickness of the blade and the flexibility of the blade, will greatly impact the overall experience of the bonding process.
Scalpel (Orthodontic Use)
Scalpels are not used for hygiene. They are used to remove excess adhesive from around the bracket before the adhesive cures. Cleaning the margins of the bracket reduces plaque accumulation and bracket failure.
In the bonding/adhesive category, low-quality orthodontic equipment will become apparent to the clinician immediately, as will the subpar performance of the products.
Ligature and Wire-Handling Instruments
Ligature and wire-handling instruments include those used to place elastic ligatures and to manage the wires used in orthodontic appliances.
Mathieu Pliers (Needle Holders)
Mathieu pliers are spring-loaded, ratcheted pliers designed to enable efficient placement of elastic ligatures. Efficiency is dependent upon rhythm. Skilled clinicians develop muscle memory related to using these tools.
Howe Pliers
Howe pliers are heavier and more robust than Mathieu pliers. They are used for larger wires and more significant adjustments.
Long-Tip Elastic Tweezers
Elastic tweezers feature long, angled tips for placing intraoral elastics without obstructing the view of the clinician.
Despite their simplicity, poor design and construction of these tools will slow a clinic over time.
Wire Cutting and Shaping Instruments
Wire cutting and shaping instruments are used to cut and shape the archwires used in orthodontic appliances.
Stainless Steel Wire Cutters
Stainless steel wire cutters are used to cut stainless steel archwires and heavier wires. The cutters must remain sharp to avoid crushing the wire instead of cutting it cleanly.
Loop Forming Pliers
Loop forming pliers are used in more traditional or complex mechanical systems. Although they have largely disappeared in favour of digital treatments, loop forming pliers are still valuable to many orthodontists today.
Reliable orthodontic suppliers will identify and clearly indicate the type of wire for which each tool was designed. Guesswork destroys tools.
Materials and Construction Quality: Why It Matters Over Time
Most orthodontic instruments are made from stainless steel. Some instruments are made with tungsten carbide-reinforced cutting edges. The difference in quality is evident within the first six months of continuous use.
Poor-quality tools loosen. Pliers joints begin to wobble. Tool tips begin to misalign. The number of sterilization cycles increases significantly for these same tools.
This is where choosing a quality orthodontic supplier becomes so important. Clinics that purchase orthodontic supplies from established UK-based companies like Ortix London prioritize durability, balance and maintainability over cost per unit.
Making Wise Choices Regarding Orthodontic Instruments
There are a couple of basic and practical guidelines that help:
- Purchase instruments for specific tasks, not for claims of versatility.
- Only match cutters to specific wire types.
- Replace worn tools early before they fail.
- Standardize instrument kits among clinicians.
Choosing Orthodontic supplies London, UK wisely is not a catalogue-browsing experience; it is establishing consistent workflow.
