Focus on Pliers

Great Lakes Orthodontics offers Three Prong Pliers that bend, adjust, and contour wire. The pliers feature precision-aligned, tapered tips for consistent and delicate bending. The double tip’s single-piece construction eliminates flaring and ensures strength. Popular styles include: the Serrated Wire Bending Plier, How, Jarabak, Hawley, Adams Clasp, and Bird Beak Pliers. Special adjusting pliers and heavy-duty pliers are also available. The pliers are manufactured with stainless-steel forgings and easy-grip handles for reliable control and consistent results. Long-lasting superior and economy versions are available.

For more information, contact Great Lakes Orthodontics Ltd, 200 Cooper Ave, PO Box 5111, Tonawanda, NY 14151-5111; (800) 828-7626; www.greatlakesortho.com.

Chifa-TMX Medical Instruments introduces premium 100% German stainless-steel distal end orthodontic pliers. The distal end pliers are safe and are used to cut wires in the patient’s mouth. The plier shear-cuts hard wires close to the distal end of the buccal tubes and “safety holds” the loose wires. Tungsten Carbide tips extend the life and effectiveness of the instrument. Maximum cutting capacity is .022 inches for hard round wire and .021 in x .025 in for rectangular wire.

For more information, contact Chifa-TMX, (a division of Toolmex Corp), 1075 Worcester St, Natick, MA 01760; (508) 653-8897; www.toolmex.com.

Ortho Organizers offers a full line of stainless-steel Endura® pliers that are made with an even, ultrapolished finish for stain and corrosion resistance, and smooth, contoured edges for patient comfort. Sliding lock joints ensure accuracy and long life, while ergonomically designed handles provide a comfortable sure grip and balance. The Acrylic Debonding Plier safely and effectively removes orthodontic acrylic from tooth surfaces. The plier features a hinged platform on one jaw and a debonding blade on the other jaw. When debonding acrylic, the hinged jaw is placed on the occlusal surface, creating a secure brace.

For more information, contact Ortho Organizers, 1619 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078; (800) 547-2000; www.orthoorganizers.com.

3M Unitek introduces the UnitekTM Debonding Instrument with a designed tip for easy bracket debonding. Designed for use with 3M Unitek’s metal twin and ClarityTM Ceramic Brackets, the instrument includes a ledge that provides a reference for positioning it on the bracket. An increased lever ratio reduces the amount of force needed to debond.

For more information, contact 3M Unitek, 3M Center, St Paul, MN 55144-1000; (800) 423-4588; www.3MUnitek.com.

Hu-Friedy Orthodontics introduces the Bird Beak with Cutter 678-325, and the Bird Beak without Cutter 678-326. Both designs allow a variety of bends, are made from Hu-Friedy Immunity Steel, and have a 10-year warranty against breakage or corrosion.

For more information, contact Hu-Friedy Orthodontics, 3232 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618-5935; (773) 975-6182; www.hu-friedy.com.

Dentronix Inc offers Distal End Cutters and Light Wire Pliers for orthodontic procedures. The “high-performance box joint” keeps tips stable during cutting. The cutters are hand-finished with carbide inserts that have a lifetime warranty against bond failure. The Mini-Size Safety Hold Flush Cut plier cuts and holds archwires flush to the buccal tube. The “V” design allows cutting and holding with one motion. All Dentronix pliers are available in a satin finish or the traditional high-gloss finish.

For more information, contact Dentronix Inc, 235 Ascot Pkwy, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223; (800) 262-6262; www.dentronix.com.

American Orthodontics offers Masterline Instruments, which are made from computerized numerical-control manufacturing equipment for consistency, strength, and durability. High-grade stainless-steel forgings maximize corrosion resistance and promote smooth, easy functioning. Precision manufacturing virtually eliminates binding and avoids excessive play in the joint. All Masterline instruments have a 5-year limited warranty. American Orthodontics also repairs all manufacturers’ instruments. During 2005, when seven or more instruments are sent to American Orthodontics for repair, one instrument is repaired for free.

For more information, contact American Orthodontics, 1714 Cambridge Ave, Sheboygan, WI 53081; (800) 558-7687; www.americanortho.com.

GAC International introduces Invecta, a complete line of pliers and cutters that are made from surgical-grade German stainless-steel and are built to withstand repeated sterilization. GAC also offers an expanded line of Thermopliers that facilitate tooth movement and avoid expensive laboratory expenses. The heated Thermopliers are controlled with a digital instrument thermometer. All Invecta instruments have a 1-year warranty and a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects.

For more information, contact GAC International, 355 Knickerbocker Ave, Bohemia, NY 11716; (800) 645-5530; www.gacintl.com.

LeoneAmerica introduces a cap remover for convertible buccal tubes that features a rachet-type trigger device. The cap remover has an adjustable shaft, allows the converting tip to be positioned at different angles—providing a more pleasant situation for the patient—and gives the orthodontist access to hard-to-reach areas in the oral cavity.

For more information, contact LeoneAmerica, American Tooth Industries, 1200 Stellar Dr, Oxnard, CA 93033-2404; (800) 235-4639; www.americantooth.com.

Ortho-byte introduces three different lines of pliers with optional molybdenum-, carbide-, or steel-inserted tips. The Signature series pliers feature molybdenum/carbide alloy-inserted tips and box joints that provide strength and durability. The Platinum series pliers feature a satin finish, hardened-steel inserts, and box joints that prevent wire fraying and a scissoring effect. The XL series pliers have smooth polished surfaces with carbide inserts and precision screw joints. All Ortho-byte pliers have a 5-year warranty on the tips and a lifetime warranty on the handles. Ortho-byte also offers plier-repair service with a guarantee that if it cannot repair your old pliers, it will buy them from you.

For more information, contact Ortho-byte, PO Box 9627, Wilmington, DE 19809; (866) 641-2128; www.ortho-byte.com.

5Ortho Specialties offers BarrStockTM Surgical Bar Stainless Pliers and Cutters. BarrStock orthodontic instruments are precision hand-crafted from surgical-grade, 420-bar stainless-steel. The pliers and cutters have a 1-year warranty against defects in materials, workmanship, and performance.

For more information, contact Ortho Specialties, 7707 W 99th St, Hickory Hills, IL 60457; (800) 637-1237; www.orthospecialties.com.

Magnum Ortho offers quality instruments for the orthodontist, including a wide selection of pliers, Mathieus, hand instruments, and other related products. The company offers new styles of Weingarts, long-handle distal-end cutters, and improved carbide cutters. Repair service for pliers and other instruments is available.

For more information, contact Magnum Ortho, 3265 N Nevada St, Chandler, AZ 85225; (800) 336-9710; www.magnummed.com.

Masel introduces the 200 Series Corrosion-Resistant Molybdenum-Inserted Cutters and Pliers, which include box joint heads. Made from 100% stainless-steel, the 200 Series pliers feature a high percentage of chromium for corrosion resistance and molybdenum for toughness. They can be dry heat sterilized and autoclaved without fear of rust or corrosion. The pliers have a 5-year warranty on tip wear and tear, and a lifetime guarantee on forgings. Masel offers a 30-day free trial on all new pliers. At the end of the trial period, the pliers can be either purchased or returned.

For more information, contact Masel, 2701 Bartram Rd, Bristol, PA 19007-6892; (800) 423-8227; www.maselortho.com.

Raintree Essix offers Hilliard Thermopliers, which make minor tooth movement (MTMTM) possible by helping the orthodontist achieve bodily movement, rotation, torquing, lateral movement, and tipping of up to 3 mm chairside without resetting teeth in a laboratory environment. The pliers also allow the orthodontist to create a series of bumps or protrusions in a clear Essix appliance that can be fabricated in the office and adjusted in seconds. A single appliance provides 3 months of treatment.

For more information, contact Raintree Essix, 4001 Division St, Metairie, LA 70002; (800) 883-8733; www.essix.com.

MidAtlantic Ortho introduces a new line of orthodontic pliers called “Tuff Steel” instruments.

The instruments have special “Tuff Steel” molybdenum corrosion-resistant inserts that add toughness to the cutting edges and allow for longer working life. A wide choice of pliers, distal end cutters, ligature cutters, bird beaks, and more are available with this new insert material.

For more information, contact MidAtlantic Ortho, 1008 Industrial Dr, Suite K, West Berlin, NJ 08091; (800) 255-3525; [email protected].

Ortho Technology offers its line of Falcon® pliers and cutters. The pliers are made of corrosion-resistant, surgical-grade stainless steel and are hard-chrome plated. The balanced joint assembly provides wobble-free performance and allows for precise tip alignment of the cutters. The cutters have tool-steel inserts with diamond-honed cutting edges for precise wire cutting. Falcon pliers and cutters are available with a lifetime warranty.

For more information, contact Ortho Technology Inc, 17401 Commerce Park Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647; (800) 999-3161; www.orthotechnology.com.

ClassOne Orthodontics introduces Ixion Instruments that are made from German surgical steel with a satin finish, which reduces glare. All cutting edges are made from carbide inserts and provide strength and sharpness. All the instruments feature a box joint, which provides reliable, smooth action and ensures that the tips align each time. With no square edges, the Ixion design provides maximum comfort. One year of free sharpening is included with purchase.

For more information, contact ClassOne Orthodontics Inc, 5064-50th St, Lubbock, TX 79414; (877) 797-1199; www.classoneorthodontics.com.

Precision Plier Service offers both orthodontic plier and dental handpiece repairs. All repairs are performed in-house to guarantee the lowest price and the fastest turnaround.

For more information, contact Precision Plier Service, 14175 Telephone Ave, Suite D, Chino, CA 91710; (800) 229-9060; www.pps5star.com.

Orthopli offers 030-H light wire pliers with an arch former. The 030-H is a multipurpose and autoclavable instrument that can be dry-heat sterilized and prebagged for tray setups. The tip functions as light-wire pliers for forming round and rectangular wire up to 0.025 with a built-in arch former at the base of the instrument for contouring. Made of surgical stainless steel and available in either box- or lap-joint construction, the 030-H features an inserted tip to ensure longevity.

For more information, contact Orthopli Corp, 10061 Sandmeyer Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19116; (800) 237-3737.