Consultants’ Comments

• “Pliers are great and secure.”
• “Ease of removal was excellent – yet firm hold.”
• “It really does help placing onlays – definitely worth the extra effort.”
• “During setup it was hard to hold the tab while light curing the adhesive on the restoration – almost a two-person job.”
• “Took more time – tedious to use.”
• “I would like Griptabs to come with adhesive already applied.”

Description

Griptab is a product designed to aid in handling and placing indirect restorations. A small handle-like Griptab is bonded to the restoration with a light-cured, flexible adhesive that is designed to come off of the restoration cleanly and easily. Tabs are available in three sizes: Small for inlays and veneers; Medium for inlays, onlays, veneers and crowns; and Large for crowns. Either Triodent Pin-Tweezers or a small hemostat may be used to grip and maneuver the Griptabs. The adhesive light cures in 20-40 seconds and changes color from pink to gold when fully cured. Once cured, the adhesive is flexible, moisture- and Silane-proof and easy to remove at the end of the procedure. The restoration can be picked up and released multiple times. The Griptab introductory pack contains: 24 large Griptabs, 24 medium Griptabs, 12 small Griptabs, one syringe of Griptab adhesive, one Pin-Tweezers (cross-over action), and a laminated, illustrated instruction booklet. Griptab was used by 23 consultants in placing 273 indirect restorations. It received an 86% clinical rating.

Product Features

Consultants found Griptabs the most useful for placing small inlays/onlays and veneers. It was effective with all restorative materials. The most challenging use was on short second molar crowns. After seating was completed, Griptab was easy to remove from the restoration. Forty-four percent of consultants reported that Griptab was better than their current indirect restoration placement device and 30% reported it was equivalent. Fifty-two percent would switch to Griptab and 65% would recommend it.

Clinical Tips

• Use the smallest of the size possible to avoid occlusal interference.

• If placement of the tab is not in an ideal location, remove the adhesive and re-apply the tab.

• Dental floss may be threaded through the hole in the tab for extra security.

• After cementation, remove the tab by sliding a thin, flat instrument between the restoration and the adhesive on the tab.

• Place the restoration onto the putty provided and then release Pin-Tweezers before curing. Griptab will remain in place.

• To maximize chair-side efficiency, Griptabs should be attached by a staff member before patient arrives.