Reliance introduces newest addition to its lingual retention line: Extend LTR

These wires provide a proven retention method that is far better than relying on patient compliance with a removable retainer. However, there’s one drawback: hygiene.

Dentists’ and dental hygienists’ biggest complaint about fixed retainers is neither they — nor the patient — can adequately cleanse around wires bonded to every tooth. They maintain, rightly so, that the wires bonded to every tooth are a catch-point for calculus and debris. The good news is not every case necessitates a retainer to be bonded on every tooth. In fact, a six bonding pad retainer would be overkill in many Class I “minor movement” cases.

Reliance is proud to introduce our newest addition to our lingual retention line: Extend LTR.

We have improved a popular lab-generated retainer wire to allow for chairside wire selection and placement. No lab lead time and no lab costs. The ideal case where Extend will be utilized is in a patient who has little anterior crowding and no facial torqueing.

Extend is fabricated from a nickel-free (.027) TMA wire. A bendable or shapeable super-elastic wire, TMA has some give or flexibility without changing the formed/shaped characteristics. This feature allows Extend a slight amount of flexion without deforming under mastication forces. Ideal for holding cuspid width, Extend is not only flattened at the cuspid segment of the wire but also incorporates 20-degree angulated bonding pads to allow the proper wire-lingual surface adaptation.

For the remaining anteriors, Extend must be adapted to the lingual sides of each tooth. A bird beak plier should be used for slight adaptation bends, while more extensive bends can be achieved with a three-prong plier without work hardening the wire. Available in five sizes: 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 mm.

The Extend arch measuring device makes chairside size selection accurate and simple. With the numbered-side facing up, seat the contact groove of the measuring device at the midline. The first number to fully clear the distal edge of the lateral will be the number to correspond with the designated wire size.

Chairside steps are as follows: 1) adapt Extend on a study model, 2) prophy the cuspids, 3) sandblast the cuspids, 4) etch the cuspids, 5) apply one coat of Assure and air dry, 6) place a small amount of LCR paste in the middle of the cuspids, place wire and light cure and 7) apply the final coat of LCR to fabricate a custom pad of composite, smooth with a resin-saturated sponge pellet as needed and light cure.

Extend will be available in single size packs of five for $45 or a kit that includes: (12) measuring device, (1) EX18, (2) EX20, (4) EX22, (4) EX24, (1) EX26 at an introductory price of $99.