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Technical Q & A
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| Question: Is everything I
need to perform chairside space maintenance included in the
Introductory Kit? |
Answer: Everything is
included except for the bonding agent. You can use whatever bonding
agent you normally use for adhering bands and crowns. We do not
recommend one bonding agent over another. |
| Question: The tubes are too
long on some of my applications. I tried cutting them with a wire
cutter but the hole in the tube closes. How do you cut the tubes
without the holes closing? |
Answer: To cut the tubes,
many doctors use a diamond disc on a handpiece (be VERY careful not to
cut yourself) or use a diamond bur or other cutting device that does
not involve squeezing. |
| Question: Do I need the
crimping plier, or can I get by with a pair of dull wire cutters? |
Answer: We do not recommend
wire cutters for a number of reasons. The Tube Crimping plier is
designed and machined specifically for the diameter of the tubes it is
crimping. It is not possible to over-crimp the tube - thus the
appliance is stable. Wire cutters can over-crimp the tubes causing
cracks in the tube which will weaken the appliance, or under crimp the
tube which can allow the wire to move inside the tube, doing little or
no good for space maintenance. |
| Question: You're website
states that the intro kits comes with 1 of each size Space Maintainer
Bands (total of 52).....what do the sizes range from in millimeters? |
Answer: The sizes range from
25 to 41, with half sizes starting at 33, for both the upper and lower
arch. The band size relates to the length of the band in millimeters
(if it was cut and laid out as a strip). |
| Question: Why are some wires
narrow and some wires wide? Do I need both? |
Answer: Yes, you will need
both. The tubes that are pre-welded to the bands and crowns are either
narrow or wide depending on the size of the band or crown it is welded
to; the larger sizes have a wide tube, the smaller sizes have a narrow
tube. The larger sizes need more stability and thus require the wide
tube and wire. Click here for a
complete wiring chart. |
| Question: When I cut the
wires, the ends have a bur which do not allow me to easily slide the
wire into the tube. What am I doing wrong? |
Answer: If you are not using
a high quality and sharp wire cutter, the cutter will leave burs. You
must use a cutting device which cuts cleanly. I would suggest the
DENOVO Wire Shear, part number 802-020. This device shears instead of
chops and leaves a bur-free cut every time. |
| Question: I have an old
space maintainer kit that I've been using for years. I want to order a
new kit, but I don't need another crimping plier. Can I just order a
kit without the plier? |
Answer: Yes. Search for part
numbers 387-160 or 387-360. These kits do not include the tube crimping
and plier and are less expensive.
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Question: How do you know
which size band to use? I waste a lot of bands when I guess the
incorrect size. Any suggestions?
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Answer: When you trial fit
your band, don't seat the band fully; carefully check the band using
light pressure - if the band doesn't slide on easily, use the next band
size up. You can then sterilize and re-use the band instead of throwing
it away.
There are also devices on the market that will measure the diameter of
the tooth that you can use - or you utilize a piece of dental floss to
measure the outside diameter. Our band sizes are inside diameter sizes
in millimeters. |
| Question: What is the
chemical composition of your stainless steel material. Does it contain
any nickel? |
Answer: All stainless steel
contains nickel. The percent composition by mass of our stainless steel
is: Iron (69.22%, Chromium (18.12%), Nickel (9.58%), Manganese (1.59%), Silicon
(0.52%), Molybdenum (0.39%), Copper (0.35%), Cobalt (0.18%), and Carbon (0.05%).
Trace amounts of Phosphorous, Titanium, Sulphur,
and Aluminum - Oxygen is present at 36 PPM. |
| Question: What do you recommend for
patients with nickel sensitivity? |
Answer: Since the space maintainer
appliance will be in place for for a period up to 3-4 years,
we do not recommend this device for patients with nickel
sensitivity. We are not aware of any appliances available that
are not made of stainless steel. |
| Question: There are times when I don't
have a band small enough for a tooth I'm fitting. What do I
do? |
Answer: We have recently introduced
two smaller sizes, 23 & 24, which should solve your problem.
In extreme cases, you can crown the tooth and then place the
band over the crown. |
