Tricks of the Trade: Secure Spring Separators

Accidental aspiration or ingestion of orthodontic materials is a common problem among patients and a major concern for orthodontists. It may lead to unnecessary medical emergencies and further, more serious, consequences. Spring separators are often used by practitioners to bring about tooth separations. In order to avoid misplacement after separation, a simple and economic technique has been devised which is comfortable for both patients and orthodontists.

Spring separators are commonly used devices in daily practice for tooth separation, especially in a patient with tight tooth contacts. From a patient's perspective, these are easy to tolerate, both when being placed or removed and as they separate the teeth. They have an obvious advantage over elastomeric separators, which are difficult to insert, are radiolucent and can give rise to a series of problems if they are lost in the interproximal space.¹

However, a major drawback of these separators is that they tend to become loose and may fall out as they accomplish their purpose. Sometimes, it may happen without the notice of the patient and may pose a threat of aspiration or ingestion, which can be the cause of a medical emergency.²