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What are ALLODEX™ brackets made of?
Commercially Pure Titanium or Stainless Steel.
What is the likelihood that these brackets can cause nickel sensitivity?
Virtually nil. The commercially pure Titanium (Ti-Grids™) does not contain any nickel and the small amount of nickel in the Stainless Steel brackets is bound by a crystalline lattice, thus rendering it unavailable for dissolution in the oral environment. To be absolutely safe, Ti-Grid™ Brackets should be prescribed if sensitivity is of primary concern.
How does nickel sensitivity manifest itself in the oral environment?
Oral Symptoms of nickel sensitivity include the following: Burning sensation, pain, Paresthesia, Numbness, Bad Taste, Excessive Salivation, Perioral itching. Physical: Possible clinical presentations of contact stomatitis include:Erythematous lesions, Erosions/ulcerations, Leukoplakialike lesions, Oral lichenoid reactions, Contact urticaria, and Burning mouth syndrome.
Although still relatively uncommon, there has been a slight increase in nickel sensitivity. Is there any explanation for this?
Worldwide, the prevalence of nickel allergy in the general population ranges from 0.9 to 14.9%. An increase in sensitivity to nickel in younger patients has been attributed to the increased popularity of ear and body piercing, and the high nickel content of the jewelry, rings and studs that they wear.
Why are the bracket chains nickel-free 14k gold?
In keeping with our policy of producing hypoallergenic brackets and attachments.
I notice the Ti-Grids™ come in two configurations, one with an external “Placement Ring”. What is the purpose of this ring?
The Ti-Grids are most suitable for those cases where a very low-profile bracket with a near-vertical traction force is required. The ring has been added to facilitate placement of the bracket. The ring enables the grid to be easily grasped and manipulated by placement instruments.
What is the purpose of the “Swivel™ Bracket?”
The swivel bracket is a versatile, sturdy bracket that is best used where the vector of force is greater than 15 degrees from vertical. This type of bracket is most resistant to the applied shearing forces.
All of your Solid Brackets have textured surfaces at the bracket/tooth interface. What is the reason for this?
The surfaces are textured in order to present the maximum amount of surface area available for bonding.
Why are your brackets available in different shapes and contours?
The variety of shapes and contours (including the Titanium mesh) are available for the purpose of presenting a bracket that most closely matches the profile of the tooth to which it is attached. This optimizes the surface area that is cemented to the tooth and maximizes the strength of the bracket/tooth bond.
What are your most popular brackets?
To date, our database and office surveys indicate that the MN28F Round Flat Swivel™ Bracket and the GT27 Low Profile Titanium Mesh Bracket with Placement Ring are our most popular brackets.
What is so unique about Gridlock™ Cement?
Gridlock™ cement is moisture activated. This feature is most desirable due to the fact that very often the surgical field created by the exposure of an impacted tooth is difficult to keep dry.
Is Gridlock™ a strong cement?
Gridlock™ is similar to the formulary of medical cements that are used to bond components in medical heart valves. This type of cement has very good tensile strength and moderately good shear strength (see "vector of force" notes below). As with brackets and attachments, the greatest strength characteristics are displayed when subject to forces that are in a direct line with the cement, the bracket or the chain/bracket interface. As the vector of force deviates from 180 degrees, shear forces begin to come into play and alter the strength characteristics in proportion to the angle of deflection.
What type of cement is Gridlock™?
Gridlock™ is a proprietary derivative of the family of cyanoacrylate cements.
Why does Gridlock™ come in single-use vials?
Once opened, Gridlock™ cement is exposed to the humidity of the ambient air. This will cause the cement to eventually set, thus rendering it unsuitable for storage. Single-use increases shelf life and decreases waste.
Why do I have to refrigerate Gridlock™ cement?
Cyanoacrylate cements are sensitive to heat. If stored in an area that is subject to heat, the viscosity of the cement will increase. Therefore, all unused Gridock™ vials should be kept refrigerated (~ 50 F).
What about instruments?
The PLTC Natural Curved Placement Instrument is an excellent choice for delivery of brackets.
Tell me about your PEM-E92 Patient Education Model.
Both patients and practitioners communicate more clearly and readily with a three-dimensional model at hand. After numerous requests for demonstration models, we have added two models that aid in practitioner/patient communications.
How easily are the brackets removed when the assisted eruption is complete?
Bracket removal is fairly straightforward once you have the bracket removal pliers and instruments that work best in your hands. It is generally found that an 8-bladed carbide bur works better than a diamond when removing the residual cement from the surface of the tooth.
Is there a risk of damage to the enamel of the tooth?
Typically, if conservative measures are used during the application and removal of brackets, the tooth will remineralize after the orthodontic procedures.
Is there a problem with secondarily bonding an ortho bracket with composite to the same site after removing the bracket and chain?
If the surface of the tooth is conservatively cleaned, it can be finished with disks and pumice prior to secondary bonding. After the etching procedure is completed, you can determine its extent and efficacy by examining the ‘frosted” appearance of the tooth. |
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