Clinical Solutions

Here are simple solutions to three problems that seem common to many clinicians.

Most orthodontic instruments are sterilized and stored in packages for specific procedures such as archwire changes, bonding, and debonding. Infrequently used single instruments, however, can easily be placed in the wrong drawer after sterilization. This situation can be prevented by keeping a Dentronix^* instrument sterilization tray at each chair (Fig. A). The chair number is etched into the tray with a high-speed turbine, and the same tray is always used to sterilize single instruments from that chair, ensuring that the pliers will be returned to the right place.

Different types of ligature wires may look alike when stored in clear plastic tubes, so that staff members frequently pick up the wrong tubes. Such confusion can be avoided by storing the various kinds of wires inside different-colored soda straws (Fig. B). Red straws might be used for .010" wires, yellow straws for .014" wires, and blue straws for Kobayashi hooks. Each straw holds 10-20 wires. This procedure also prevents cross-contamination and consequent resterilization of large wire packages.

Tinted Rollens^** are commonly used by patients of optometrists and ophthalmologists as disposable sunglasses after eye dilation. In the orthodontic office, they can provide eye protection for patients during procedures that involve splattering, such as bonding and debonding, or when visible light is used to cure composite (Fig. C). Patients who wear contact lenses will also appreciate having Rollens available to reduce the glare of the dental examination light. This protective lens comes in one universal size that adheres closely to the nose and face, and it has no ear attachments to interfere with head movements.