Easy access to the cavity

• Lips and cheeks are evenly retracted around the mouth
• Easily accessible, manageable treatment field
• Effective and quick relative isolation

Relaxed and more efficient treatment procedure

• Easy placement
• Increased concentration on the actual treatment procedure
• Relieves the work of the dental assistant and dentist.

High patient comfort of wear

• 3-dimensional flexibility for a very good positioning         
• Soft, flexible material with recesses to accommodate the upper and lower lip frenulum
• Good compatibility thanks to the latex-free material

OptraGate is a latex-free lip and cheek retractor. The aid’s unique flexibility and elasticity make it comfortable to wear and assist patients to keep their mouth open. 

OptraGate retracts the lips and cheeks evenly and gently, allowing more effective, relative isolation of the treatment field. The soft, flexible material adapts to the movements of the mouth in a controlled manner and is comfortable to wear for patients e.g. during the occlusion check or X-ray imaging of the teeth.

• OptraGate should be stored at 2–28 °C / 36–82 °F.

• Piece

• Step 1:

Select the appropriate size of the OptraGate. The selection of the appropriate size should be guided by the distance between the corners of the mouth when the mouth is in a relaxed position (i.e. with the lips closed or slightly open). In order to obtain sufficient retraction of the oral soft tissues, the diameter of the inner ring should ideally be approx. 2 cm wider than the mouth corner distance. Therefore the following guidelines apply:

– Size Junior: Mouth corner distance = 4.5 cm

– Size Small: Mouth corner distance = 6 cm

– Size Regular: Mouth corner distance = 7 cm

The orientation scale with the respective guide marks imprinted on the foil bag can be used as an aid in the selection of the correct size. It is important not to use a rigid orientation aid for the determination of the mouth corner distance, but to follow the slightly curved course of the lips. In case of doubt, we recommend using the larger size in order to ensure a better fit. The size (R for Regular, S for Small and J for Junior) is indicated on the packaging as well as on the left tab of the OptraGate. In order to ensure optimum function, we recommend inserting the largest possible size that fits the patient’s mouth.

• Step 2:

OptraGate may be inserted from both the 12 o’clock position with the patient lying down, or from the 8 o’clock position with the patient sitting upright (or, the 4 o’clock position if the clinician is left-handed).

• Step 3: 

To ease placement, with the tabs pointing downward, the operator should grasp the thicker intraoral ring by reaching through the thinner extraoral ring. The inner ring should be held between the thumb and middle finger and pressed together slightly.

• Step 4:

The slightly compressed intraoral ring is then inserted into the buccal corridor on one side, so that the elastic component embraces the corner of the mouth and the outer ring is still located extraorally

• Step 5:

As soon as the OptraGate is securely in place on one side, the other side is inserted in the same manner by slightly bending it

• Step 6:

Subsequently, the intraoral ring is placed behind the lower and upper lips and thus OptraGate assumes its final, stable position. The intraoral ring can be inserted with more ease if the patient’s mouth is relaxed.

If, in individual cases, the intraoral ring should show a tendency to slip out of the gingivobuccal fold if the mouth is closed completely, positioning of the intraoral ring deeper inside the vestibule is usually sufficient to solve the problem. Sometimes, the use of another size may also be a solution. The securely positioned OptraGate improves the overall view and accessibility of the working field. Lateral movements of the mandible and opening of the mouth to various degrees may provide additional space and access to the treatment area. OptraGate may even be left in place when checking occlusion.

• Step 7:

To remove OptraGate, grasp the extraoral ring in the upper area with the help of a paper towel and pull it slightly downwards so that the intraoral ring is loosened from the upper gingivobuccal fold. The intraoral ring can then be easily removed from the lower gingivobuccal fold and hygienically disposed of using the paper towel.