Fabrication of Invisible Retainers

FABRICATION OF
INVISIBLE RETAINERS
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INVISIBLE RETAINERS ???
“Thin acrylic retainers made from a sheet of thin
Bioacryl (thermo plastic/poly methyl methacrylate) or
other similar material that can be heated and forced by
suction or pressure on to a work model of the
dentition.”
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• Most versatile of all retainers, often termed as
“INVISIBLES” .
• Originally developed by Henry Nahoum (late

1950’s) and modified to its current form by Robert
Ponitz.
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FUNCTION
Minor tooth movement
Transitional Long term

retainer retention
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FABRICATION OF INVISIBLE
RETAINERS
1st step : Preparation of work models
1. Upper and lower alginate impressions are made.
2. A wax bite registration is obtained in centric occlusion

to articulate the models, if correct occlusion is not
obvious.
3. The impressions are poured in plaster and trimmed to

obtain work models with minimal bases.
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• Excess plaster and bubbles on the articulating
surfaces of the teeth should be removed .
• The articulated models are then checked for any tooth

requiring minor repositioning.
• If present , the tooth to be reset are mentioned with

specific instructions as to the direction of the
movement or the percentage of rotation .
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2nd step : minor tooth repositioning on work models
1. The tooth to be repositioned are cut out of the work

models using a laboratory saw.
2. For repositioning in ideal position, trim the area of the

model in which the tooth is to be repositioned and from
the sides of the extracted tooth.
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3. The extracted tooth is repositioned temporarily by
melting medium hard pink wax in the area where the
tooth has been removed from.
4. Interproximal undercuts and any missing tooth which

is not being replaced by pontic should be waxed out.
5. Dental casts are occluded , final tooth position are

achieved and all the wax contours are smoothened.
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3rd step: application of acrylic
1. Invisible retainers are made from 1mm thick acrylic

sheets using a ‘BIOSTAR’ positive pressure
thermal forming machine.
2. Splint biocryl sheets are used for maxillary

retainers because of their transparency and ,
Invisacryl sheets are used or mandibular retainers
because of their durability.
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Acrylic sheets
Biostar
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3. The work model is placed into the large (1.25mm) model
holder of the Biostar , with the occlusal plane horizontal.
4. Lead pellets are placed around the model to a point 1mm

below the desired margin of the appliance to prevent the
thermal-plastic material from stretching over areas of
the model that are not part of the appliance design.
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5. The holding frame is placed on the pressure chamber,
with gasket and 4 holding pins facing upward.
Heater
Locking handle
Model holder
Clamping chamber
Pressure chamber
Pellet drawer
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6. A piece of 1 mm acrylic is placed inside the holding
frame , and its secured by placing the clamping frame
over the holding frame.
Holding pins
Holding
frame
Gasket
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7. The heating element is moved over the pressure
chamber and left in place for (25-30) sec for Splint
Bioacryl and 80 sec for Invisacryl to soften the
acrylic.
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8. The heating element is removed , the pressure chamber
is rotated over the model holder , and the pressure
chamber handle is engaged.
9. Air pressure is used to push the softened acrylic sheet

onto the work model at about 5 atmospheres of
pressure.
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4th step : Trimming of acrylic
1. After 2 min the pressure chamber handle is unlocked

and the pressure chamber is rotated out of position.
2. The clamping frame is removed and the acrylic with

the embedded work model is taken off the Biostar.
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3. The work model is removed from the acrylic , the
excess acrylic is trimmed using scissors and
contoured using a carborundum disk.
4. The invisible is soaked in warm ( not hot) water to

eliminate the wax.
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5. No further polishing or trimming usually is necessary
, although a light sanding , pumicing or polishing of
the edges may be required in some instances.
6. It is important to cover at least part of the last molar

in each arch to prevent extrusion of these teeth with
full time appliance wear.
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7. The maxillary invisible may have full , partial or no
palatal coverage depending on the neccessity. The
facial surface is trimmed to approximate the gingival
margin contour.
8. The mandibular invisible is trimmed in a horseshoe

shape with the facial and lingual surface
approximating the gingival margin contour.
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9. The invisible retainers require virtually no adjustment
at the time of delivery , except for trimming with
scissors in areas of soft tissue impingement.
10. If teeth have been reset in the invisible , the patient

should be informed that the appliance will take a few
hours to few days to seat completely.
11. If pontic is incorporated in the invisible , the size

and shade are prior determined at the chairside. The
trimmed pontic is positioned on the work model
using wax and after the invisible is fabricated it is
glued onto it.
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CONCLUSION
Being one of the most versatile retainer , when an
orthodontist or other specialist perfects this method, he
will find it a rewarding, Time saving and valuable
addition to his treatment procedure.
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REFERENCES
1. Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics ; McNamara

& Brudon.
2. Invisible retainers ;Robert J. Ponitz, AJODO 1971

Volume 59 Number 3.
3. Invisible Retainers ;James a. Mcnamara ,Karen l.

Kramer , James p. Juenker , JCO 1985
4. Biostar® Scan/Biostar® V Operation Manual.

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Fabrication of Invisible Retainers

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FABRICATION OF

• Originally developed by Henry Nahoum (late

Transitional Long term

1. Upper and lower alginate impressions are made.

2. A wax bite registration is obtained in centric occlusion

3. The impressions are poured in plaster and trimmed to

• The articulated models are then checked for any tooth

• If present , the tooth to be reset are mentioned with

1. The tooth to be repositioned are cut out of the work

2. For repositioning in ideal position, trim the area of the

4. Interproximal undercuts and any missing tooth which

5. Dental casts are occluded , final tooth position are

1. Invisible retainers are made from 1mm thick acrylic

2. Splint biocryl sheets are used for maxillary

4. Lead pellets are placed around the model to a point 1mm

9. Air pressure is used to push the softened acrylic sheet

1. After 2 min the pressure chamber handle is unlocked

2. The clamping frame is removed and the acrylic with

4. The invisible is soaked in warm ( not hot) water to

6. It is important to cover at least part of the last molar

8. The mandibular invisible is trimmed in a horseshoe

10. If teeth have been reset in the invisible , the patient

11. If pontic is incorporated in the invisible , the size

1. Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics ; McNamara

2. Invisible retainers ;Robert J. Ponitz, AJODO 1971

3. Invisible Retainers ;James a. Mcnamara ,Karen l.

4. Biostar® Scan/Biostar® V Operation Manual.

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