Abstract: A novel system for discerning pressure points in mouthpieces, namely orthodontic aligners. The system includes the steps of applying a colored gel to a light transmissive or clear mouthpiece-type aligner, mounting the aligner to the upper and/or lower teeth of the patient, and observing through the mouthpiece color variations generated by variations in gel density, wherein pressure points are indicated as lighter colors due to less gel density and spaces are indicated as deeper color, due to higher density of the colored gel. In an alternative embodiment a second gel incorporating rupturable spheres incorporating a second composition is utilized in the present system such that pressure upon the gel releases the second composition, which would be formulated to combine with the first gel and result in a color change, either due to a chemical reaction, or due to a mixing of two colors to produce an identifying color.

Abstract: Orthodontic pliers comprised of two asymmetrical components that are subapically and pivotally joined in a first main embodiment. Each of these elongate pieces is irregular in shape, unequal in length and the jaws are asymmetrical jaws relative to each other. The pliers when heated are used for producing or modifying bumps on a thermoplastic retainer. One of the jaws has a throughbore or blind bore for receiving the bump forming end of the other jaw. The jaw with the bump forming end is shorter and curvilinear so that the only part of that jaw that comes in contact with the retainer is the bump forming end. Additionally, the bump forming end may be of different shapes in order to produce different shaped bumps such as ramps, logos, logo pockets, fluoride pockets, bite plates, rectangular shapes for the retention of blocks to be wired, and hooks for elastic banding, depending on the needs of the individual patients. The pliers are heated to a temperature range of approximately 325° F. to 350° F.