Laboratory evaluation of surgical ball hook crimping pliers

Newly introduced crimping pliers for use with surgical ball hooks were laboratory tested against the previous design, because in the past hooks have been lost during the surgical procedure. The new pliers demonstrated an improved "friction lock" over the old design. However, it is still recommended that a continuous ligature be used with the final surgical arch wire to avoid the possibility of displacing hooks laterally off the arch wire during surgical and postsurgical procedures.