May, 2011

Easy, Effective and Economical (3E) Proximal Strip Holder – A New Design of a Proximal Strip Holder

Avesh Sachan , BDS,MDS, Senior Resident, Department of Orthodontics ,faculty of dental sciences, IMS ,B.H.U. Varanasi.

T.P.Chaturvedi, BDS, MDS, Professor, Department of Orthodontics, faculty of dental sciences, IMS, B.H.U. Varanasi.

Ajit  Parihar, BDS, MDS, Asst. Professor, Department of Orthodontics, faculty of dental sciences, IMS, B.H.U. Varanasi.

Interproximal stripping is a highly useful therapeutic tool as long as it is done judiciously, with respect for the biology of both hard and soft tissues. A new Strip holder was designed from routine lab materials for simple, easy and economical interproximal stripping.

1.      Straight length of .036″Stainless Steel wire of 11cm. was taken.(fig.-A)

Figure A

2.      “S” shaped band (1^st band) given with optical plier (half round plier) 3mm. from free end of the wire. (fig.-B)

Figure B

3.      2^nd band was given perpendicular to first one. (fig.-C)

Figure C

4.      A helix was constructed perpendicular to 1^st band and parallel to the 2^nd band at the junction. (fig.-D)

Figure D

5.      2^nd helix parallel to first helix in the same plane around 8mm.apart was constructed with an angle of around 135⁰ between horizontal and vertical arm. (fig.-E)

Figure E

6.      About 25mm.from the 2^nd helix, a band perpendicular to base arm in the same plane as the vertical arm was given. (fig.-F)

Figure F

7.      A perpendicular band about 8mm.from previous band was given in line with 1^st helix and base arm. (fig.-G)

Figure G

8.      The remaining wire was bent over itself without gap with extra 3mm. wire left at the free end to form     the 2^nd “S” shaped hook that was perpendicular to the base wire and in same plane of space as the 1^st “S” shaped hook. (fig.-H)

Figure H

9.      Finally with the help of self cure acrylic, holding arm was strengthened. (fig.-I)

Figure I

10. Secure the interproximal strip in holder by holes made 1.5 mm from the free end of strip. It is made even more stable by placing rubber stopper. (fig.-J)

Figure J

11. Holder is ready for easy proximal stripping. (fig.-K)

Figure K