Consultants’ Comments

• “Good grip on matrices, especially for band removal.”
• “The right angle facilitates band placement, especially in the posterior.”
• “Need to leave enough matrix occlusally to grab for band removal.”
• “I would prefer a single instrument instead of two.”

Description

DryerPliers are stainless steel pliers specifically designed for placing and removing sectional matrix bands. The pliers measure 12.7 cm in length and feature right-angle tips that help maintain the pre-formed curve of the bands, while keeping a strong grip force. The pliers come with two tip orientations: “D” and “M” for distal and mesial band placement. Due to the design of the mesial plier, the gripping force inherent to the distal plier is not possible from this orientation. The distal plier, therefore, is used to remove both mesial and distal bands. Twenty-seven consultants evaluated DryerPliers in over 305 direct restoration cases involving interproximal contacts. This product received an 82% clinical rating.

Product Features

DryerPliers were rated as good to very good in all categories evaluated. While some consultants greatly appreciated the advantages of the instruments, many found minimal benefit of two different pliers for matrix placement. A majority of consultants indicated that they were using non-specific instruments such as cotton pliers or a hemostat for band placement and removal. DryerPliers received good ratings for feel, ease of matrix placement and lack of band distortion during placement. The most-liked feature of the pliers was the strong grip, especially with the distal pliers, facilitating relatively easy band removal. The mesial pliers received a lukewarm response. Many indicated that the “M” pliers did not grip as well as the “D” pliers. Yet, 72% of evaluators indicated that the two plier orientations (“M” and “D”) aided in matrix placement without distortion. Overall, 58% of consultants found using DryerPliers to be equivalent to or better than their current method of sectional matrix band placement and removal. Twenty-six percent would switch from their current placement or removal instrument and 44% would recommend DryerPliers to a colleague.

Clinical Tips

• Add colored bands to differentiate mesial and distal pliers.
• Removal is done by grasping the matrix at any accessible edge, either buccal or lingual.