Focus on Retainers

Ortho Organizers
Ortho Organizers introduces its Direct Bond Lingual Retainer Wire with a versatile retainer option for retention. Formed from three tightly wound stainless-steel filaments, the .032-inch wire does not unravel when cut, and the surface contours of the spiral bond directly to the lingual teeth without the need for bonding pads or end loops. The twist in the wire facilitates long-term stability with physiological tooth movement. It can be cut to any length desired, then bonded with composite resin at each end or to any combination of teeth. The wires are available in 7-inch lengths, in packs of 20.
For more information, contact Ortho Organizers, 1822 Aston Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008-7306; (800) 547-2000; www.orthoorganizers.com.

TP Orthodontics
TP Orthodontics offers the Self-Activating Loop (SAL) retainer system. The SAL uses labial bows formed from SME NiTi wire. When used in the SAL retainer system, NiTi provides indefinite activation for upper or lower retainers and spring aligners. It can also be incorporated into a spring aligner or Hawley retainer. In these applications, the SAL system acts like a tooth positioner rather than a traditional retainer and can be used to close slight spaces, correct anterior rotations, and adjust buccolingual discrepancies.
For more information, contact TP Orthodontics Inc, 100 Center Plaza, La Porte, IN 46350-9672; (800) 348-8856; www.tportho.com.

Specialty Appliances
Specialty Appliances introduces a retainer line that includes active and passive designs. With more than 25 years of experience producing retainers, Specialty Appliances customizes appliances to meet a patient’s needs. The Super Modified Spring Hawley retainer provides flexibility while correcting rotations and tipping the anterior teeth. Specialty Appliances offers a free information kit, which includes a chart featuring all the colors and designs available for retainers.
For more information, contact Specialty Appliances, 4905 Hammond Industrial Dr, Cumming, GA 30041; (800) 522-4636; www.specialtyappliances.com.

Ribbond
Ribbond introduces postorthodontic retainers made from the same Spectra® fibers used to make bulletproof vests. Ribbond’s bondable fiber reinforcement prevents fracture failures in composite resins. The retainers are easy to make, strong, aesthetic, and comfortable. Ribbond’s fibers have no memory and do not rebound or unravel during placement. Simply adapt the Ribbond into a thin layer of composite on the teeth, cure, cover with a thin layer of composite, and cure again.
For more information, contact Ribbond Inc, 1402 Third Ave, Suite 1030, Seattle, WA 98101; (800) 624-4554; www.ribbond.com.

Ortho-Tain
Ortho-Tain offers the Hawley-Form™ 5-minute customized chairside retainer. The Hawley-Form can be used on any adult patient to retain rotation, crowding, incisor torque, overbite, and overjet, as well as to hold expanded arches. The retainer may be customized immediately upon bracket removal. Simply coat Hawley-Form with primer and mix, then pour the lining material into the retainer. Insert the retainer into the mouth or place it on a model, and hold it in place for 4 minutes. Remove and trim away any excess material, and you have a customized Hawley-Form. It snaps firmly into place. Preformed Hawley-Form upper and lower retainers come in two types of kits: standard upper and lower retainers with patented anterior-rotation ribs, and an upper retainer with a unique tongue tab (to advance the mandible) and a lower retainer. Both come with embedded expansion wires. The kits include a package containing primer and lining material.
For more information, contact Ortho-Tain, 950 Green Bay Rd, Suite 20, Winnetka, IL 60093; (800) 541-6612; www.ortho-tain.com.

Raintree Essix
Raintree Essix introduces ACE™ Plastic for retention for nonbruxers. With an average life of 18 to 24 months, the clear, thermoforming plastic is guaranteed not to bubble for 1 year or it will be replaced. Essix ACE may be used to make an Essix retainer or to fabricate minor tooth movement (MTM™) clear aligners. The plastic is latex free and accepts acrylics and bonding agents. It is available in three thicknesses (.030-inch, .035-inch, and .040-inch), and in four sizes (5-inch squares, 125-mm squares, 125-mm circles, and 120-mm circles).
For free samples or more information, contact Raintree Essix, 4001 Division St, Metairie, LA 70002; (800) 883-8733; www.essix.com.

Big Palette Enterprises
Big Palette Enterprises offers The L’il Palates™ sweeper with a hooked end that cleans between a palatal expander and the palate. Thin and flexible, the sweeper bends with the palate’s curvature to reach areas where food becomes trapped. It can be used with lingual bars, Nance, Herbst, MARA®, pendulum, and distalizing appliances. Individually packaged, the sweeper stores within its own handle (like a pocketknife) when not in use. It is offered in lavender and blue and includes an attached keychain with a rubberized emblem that is available in six designs. L’il Palates sweepers can be custom-imprinted with your practice’s name, Web site address, and/or phone number.
For more information, contact Big Palette Enterprises LLC, 34 Berkley Rd, Suite 100, Devon, PA 19333; (877) PALATE8; www.lilpalates.com.

Glenroe Technologies
Glenroe Technologies introduces Retainer Retrievers, which remove appliances from the buccal side. The retrievers have a simple design that is easy to hold. Small enough to store in an appliance case or on a keychain with the hole provided, retainer retrievers can be taken anywhere. They are available in five bright colors.
For more information, contact Glenroe Technologies, 1912 44th Ave E, Bradenton, FL 34203; (800) 237-4060; www.glenroe.com.

Great Lakes Orthodontics
Great Lakes Orthodontics offers the Invisible Inman, an alternative to using multiple aligners for anterior correction. The Invisible Inman uses NiTi coil springs to achieve up to 3 mm of continuous and controlled lingual-to-labial movement. The piston-like forces of the lingual component move teeth, and a labial acrylic shell controls incisor alignment as teeth are pushed outward. In the majority of cases, alignment is accomplished using one appliance. The NiTi coil spring retracts for easy insertion and seating of the appliance. Adjustments are virtually unnecessary. A thin, flexible acrylic covers the posterior dentition to enhance retention. The appliance has a clear labial component and a lingual wire framework.
For more information, contact Great Lakes Orthodontics, 200 Cooper Ave, Tonawanda, NY 14151-5111; (800) 828-7626; www.greatlakesortho.com.

Myofunctional Research
Myofunctional Research introduces the T4A™ post-treatment retainer, a universal-sized, prefabricated appliance designed for patients in the permanent dentition. It has an anterior alignment/retention feature with myofunctional retraining for the oral musculature. The T4A is semiflexible and can be used with bonded lower retainers. It is made in an ideal archform and Class I jaw position, which allows settling of the occlusion while treating the myofunctional habits, providing stability in most cases. Stability of arch expansion in the maxilla and lower-anterior arch-lengthening is enhanced after correction of tongue position, function, and an open-mouth posture. The T4A achieves arch development and Class II correction in the late mixed dentition. It can be used as a finisher immediately after debonding, holding both anterior alignment and Class II correction, allowing the bite to settle into an occlusion. The flexibility and anterior alignment system of the T4A correct minor recrowding and Class II relapse.
For more information and a free educational CD-ROM, contact Myofunctional Research Co, PO Box 4066, St Augustine, FL 32085-4066; (904) 808-8542; www.myoresearch.com.