How to Set Up an Orthodontic Instrument Tray

Orthodontists are experts at correcting teeth through the use of braces and other appliances. Orthodontists use a series of dental tools to attach, clean, repair and detach brackets. Setting up an orthodontic instrument tray is a particular procedure usually carried out by a dental assistant. The assistant arranges the tray in a specific way so the orthodontist can expedite his grasp and release of tools. The benefit of presetting a tray is that an orthodontist can remain solely focused on the patient without having to conduct a prolonged search for the right tools or accidentally pick up the wrong tools.

Things You'll Need

• Tray
• Clean white cloth
• Foreceps
• Syringe
• Stellite
• Excavators
• Hand-cutting instruments
• Pin bender
• Dycal instrument
• Amalgam instrument
• Condensers
• Carvers burnishers
• Rubber clamp
• Burs
• Needles
• Scissors
• Band applier
• Hemostat
• Amalgam well

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Instructions

• 1

  Place a stainless steel tray in the face-up position. Drape a clean white cloth over the tray.

• 2

  Position standard and extra cotton forceps in a vertical position at the bottom left of the tray. Vertically position the anesthetic syringe beside the last pair of forceps and the stellite next to the syringe. The stellite is a hook-like device for removing plaque and examining oral cavities.

• 3

  Position the minor and major spoon excavators next in line. Place all hand-cutting tools, like the chisel, hoe and hatchet, beside the excavators.

• 4

  Place the pin bender, dycal instrument, double-ended amalgam tool and all assorted carvers and burnishers beside each other, in this order. Place the articulating forceps as the last tool in a vertical position at the far right side of the bottom of the tray.

• 5

  Lay the rubber forceps horizontally at the top, left position on the tray. Place the burs and anesthetic needles to the right of the rubber forceps, horizontally as well. Continue the line and finish the tray by laying out the blunt-tipped scissors, bands, curved hemostat and amalgam well, horizontally in that order.