title: Evaluation of two different methods of arch bar application: a comparative prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To comparatively evaluate the efficacy of a pencil type wire twister and the normal wire twister in terms of various parameters during arch bars application.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved residents of the department enrolled in MDS course. Two study groups of 60 patients each were made by randomly selecting the patients from the outpatient department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery who required arch bar application. Group A included the patients who underwent upper and lower arch bar application with the use of a pencil type twister and group B included patients who underwent arch bar application with a normal wire twister. All respondents were given a questionnaire after the completion of procedure involving the use of medical sharps. The paired samples t test was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among group A, mean glove perforations, actual wire stick injuries, mean time taken to complete the procedure, mean wire breakage during the procedure was less than in group B. Comfort level of patients and Ease of operator while performing the procedure was more in group A than in group B. Frictional abrasion of the finger was not associated with the use of pencil type twister. Overall rating of the procedure was more in group A than group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of pencil type wire twister outweighs normal wire twister in various ways. It increases the overall efficacy of the operator during the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of OMFS, DAV Dental College and M.M General Hospital, Yamunanagar, 135001 Haryana India.
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chhabra
authors.affiliation: Department of OMFS, DAV Dental College and M.M General Hospital, Yamunanagar, 135001 Haryana India.
authors.forename: Shruti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chhabra
authors.affiliation: Department of OMFS, DAV Dental College and Hospital, Yamunanagar, Haryana India.
authors.forename: Deepti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thapar
keywords: Arch bars; Glove perforations; Wire stick injuries; Wire twisters