Separation of Teeth

Judicious separation of teeth is some times required in order to establish convenience for
operating.

The excellence of operative treatment can be enhanced and the health of both the teeth and
their supporting tissues can be improved by this procedure.
Separation can promote not only convenience for the operator but also better dental health
for the patient.
Indications and Reasons
1) Making room for the matrix during condensation of amalgam. !y means of hard
"ood "edges).
#) $inishing and polishing a restoration% &articularly in anterior teeth.
') (iagnostic analysis . ) radiograph may not clearly indicate an initial carious lesion
near the contact area).
*) +epositioning drifted teeth . )s a result of dental caries or a faulty restoration,
patent may suffer a collapse of mesial% distal contact relationship. )s a result
normal volume of supporting tissues b-" these teeth is reduced. This unfavorable
environment may lead to periodontal problems.
A prime consideration in the technique of tooth separation is the prevention
of injury to the tooth and supporting tissues.
Types of tooth separation

1) +apid Tooth Separation Mechanical Tooth separation)
#) Slo" tooth separation

a) +ubber )ppliance Separation.
b) Separation by .igature.
Mechanical tooth Separation/
+apid and easy method for separating teeth.
0mmediate mechanical separation is frequently used in certain restorative techniques,
notably during the finishing of inter proximal cohesive gold restorations and for the
diagnostic analysis.
)ccomplished by any one of several mechanical devices that "ork on either a
"edging or traction.
1reat care must be exercised to avoid damage to the tooth or supporting tissues.
(amage can occur in the form of severe impingement on the gingiva, tearing of the
periodontal fibres etc.
The separating force should be applied slo"ly.
Time should elapse b-" each increment of force to allo" for separation to occur.
Slight separation is usually necessary.
1) The Elliot Separators/ )re single bo" separators that "ork on the "edging principle.
These separators have the disadvantage of tending to cervically "hen much apical taper
is evident on the cro"ns of the teeth to be separated.
2) The Ferrier Double Bow Separators: 2ork on the traction principle.

They are available in graduated si3es from 4o/ 1 to 4o/ 5.
4o/ 1 or # used for anterior teeth.
The threaded bars slo"ly turned "ith a "rench.
'6 seconds should elapse after each quarter turn to allo" time for separation to occur
) Spratley swa!er " ##$F %o: &: ) "edge shaped instrument similar to miniature
spatula) an ultra thin, long, tapered "edge "ith a square, sharp end. 7asily inserted into
the contact point, it gradually spreads the teeth apart.
Slow Tooth Separation
a) Rubber 'ppliance Separation:
) piece of rubber dam correctly lodged in the contact area b-" t"o teeth "ill induce
slo" separation.
Separation time vary from patient to patient from an hour to #* hrs.
The total separation "ill tend approach the passive thickness of the material used.
0f painful response developed, the separating influence must be discontinued
b) Separation by #i!ature:
8rthodontic grass line ligature thread has long been used for slo" tooth separation.
The thread is passed through the embrasure triangle and a loop is tightly secured around
the contact area.
) secure surgeon9s knot is positioned to the buccal or lingual side of the occlusal
portion of the contact.
)fter a loop has been firmly secured, the moisture in the field produces contraction of
the thread. The force of contraction "ill induce a separation of the teeth.
0n the posterior teeth, brass ligature "ire, #* gauges is more easily manipulated than the
grass line ligature.
The "ire passed through the embrasure triangle beneath the contact. ) loop is formed
around the contact area. )s the "ire ends are t"isted, the decreasing circumference of
the "ire loop exerts a separating force b-" the teeth.
This form of separation is frequently employed by 8rthodontists.