The OrthoSlenderizer
by Orthomatics
Designed by an orthodontist for use with Invisalign, the
OrthoSlenderizer is a cordless, rechargeable instrument that
reduces IPR to seconds, rather than minutes, saving valuable
doctor time and facilitating better treatment. It adds a thirddimension
to the equation, providing mesial/distal and buccal/
lingual dimensions to best serve the patient.
Eliminating the Drudgery of IPR
ClinCheck is great in determining where and how much
IPR is necessary, but the hang up has been in transferring the
information to the mouth. Accurate treatment planning, record
keeping, predictable instrumentation and skillful technique are
essential to producing accurate results when performing IPR.
Many doctors are uncomfortable using a disk, even with a
guard, to open a contact. This can be hazardous. It has been
noted that in opening contacts with an end-cutting disk, no
matter how careful, experienced or proficient the operator might
be, there is a high risk of creating serious problems. Using this
initial step frequently creates ledges in the enamel or produces
gingivally tapered openings. Some techniques advocate using a
hand strip and even a mechanical separator to open a tight contact
before following up with a disk, which can be very uncomfortable
to the patient. Access to interproximal contact points is
also important. With most mechanical devices, rotated teeth or
overlapping contacts must be corrected first so proper anatomy
can be maintained as IPR is performed. This is because the
blades are too short and stiff to flex around the proximal
anatomy. The blades also have small available working surfaces
and the abrasive tends to wear off shortening blade life.
The OrthoSlenderizer Plus System
A combination system has been developed to reduce the
anxiety of both the patient and doctor. There are various strip
holders available that can be used to create an initial opening
between teeth manually or automatically. However, the most
recent device, acting as both patient- and operator-friendly, is
the OrthoSlenderizer. The blank half of the ContactBreaker
blade is inserted between the teeth like a piece of metal floss.
The hand set, which has a reciprocal action of 100 times per second,
is activated and the abrasive half of the perforated blade is
moved into the contact to open it. Heavier grit blades can be
used to remove more enamel, or a specially designed diamond
disk can be employed to complete the process. The Raintree
Essix 915 SSO and the 915 SSI have an abrasive surface that is
only 0.15mm wide and are “non-end-cutting” (a very important
feature). This disk can be used to finish the IPR space to the
desired opening.
As the IPR process proceeds, the amount of enamel
reduction must be monitored with gauges. Begin with the
0.20mm gauge, then checking with thicker gauges until the
opening is precisely determined but ever-so-slightly less than
the intended amount.
IPR is a critical component of any clear aligner treatment
and also important when adjusting mesial/distal widths using
fixed appliances. Dr. Larry White says, “The OrthoSlenderizer
is exactly the instrument orthodontic clinicians have needed for
a long time. It fits the task completely.”
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