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Articulating paper and forceps
Also called: bite paper, articulating film, Miller forceps, articulating paper holder
Colored paper the patient bites on to show high spots on a new filling.
Articulating paper is thin, colored (often blue or red) paper or film. The patient taps or grinds on it, and it leaves marks where teeth touch. Heavy marks on a new filling show high spots to adjust. Articulating forceps hold the strip flat so it does not crumple.
How to spot it
- Thin colored strips, straight or horseshoe-shaped.
- Forceps: long tweezers with a slide lock and flat jaws to grip the strip.
What it is used for
- Checking the bite after fillings, crowns and other restorations.
Safety and care
- Paper is single-use; the forceps are cleaned and heat-sterilized.
Related
Sources: Hu-Friedy Group. Miller Articulating Paper Forceps, Mt. Hood Community College. Restorative Dentistry (open Pressbooks text): "Placing Amalgam Restorations" and "Amalgam Set Up."