Overview:

Stabilok  Dentine  Pins  are  an  effective  and  economical  way  to provide  extra  mechanical  retention  for  restorations  in  both  anterior and posterior teeth.
Once  in  place  in  the  tooth,  they  can  be  reduced  in  length  and  /  or bent into the desiredposition.
A  major  advantage  of  Stabilok  Dentine  Pins  is  that  the  pin  is securely   held   in   a   contra-angle   shank   until   it   is   ready   to automatically shear off in the tooth at the correct depth.

Preparation of the tooth:

The tooth that requires placement of a Stabilok Dentine Pin should be  cleared  of  all  caries  and  dried  with  an  air  syringe.  In  general,  a separate Stabilok Pin will be required for each cusp missing. A pre-operative  radiograph  may  be  useful  in  identifying  the  position  and size of the pulp.

Procedure for placing the Stabilok Pin:

Place a Stabilok Twist Drill in a contra-angle handpiece and latch it in place. With the motor running at a speed of about 2000 rpm drill a  hole  in  the  dentine,  taking  care  not  to  drill  accidentally  into  the enamel  or the  pulp.  The  Stabilok  Twist  Drill  has  a  self-limiting shoulder which prevents drilling too deeply. Once  the  pin  hole  has  been  drilled,  remove  the  twist  drill  from  the handpiece  (the  twist  drill  should  be  sterilized  before  it  is  used again).

Place  a  Stabilok  Dentine  Pin in  the  handpiece  and  latch  it in  place. With the Pin rotating at about 2000 rpm, present the tip of the pin to the opening of the pre-drilled pin hole. The pin will then self-thread to  the  bottom  of  the  pre-drilled  hole  and  shear-off  at  the  neck formed in the threaded portion.

Modifying the Pin:

Stabilok Dentine Pins can be modified by either shortening them or by bending them.

SHORTENING:

To shorten a pin, proceed as follows: Place a high speed diamond or carbide  fissure  bur  in  a  turbine handpiece.  Position  the  handpiece such that the bur is perpendicular to the Stabilok Dentine Pin and at a  point  corresponding  to  where  the  pin  is  to  be  cut.  With  the  bur running,  gently  bring  the  bur  into  contact  with  the  pin  and  allow  it to  cut  through  the  pin  from  one  side  to  the  other.  A  gentle  axial movement of the bur to and fro will facilitate the operation.

DO NOT
attempt to shorten the pin before it is placed in the tooth because doing so would damage or remove the tapered tip which allows self threading

BENDING:

Stabilok  Pins  can  be  bent once, after  they  have  been  placed  in the tooth. An amalgam plugger can be used by applying it to the tip  of  the  pin  and  gently  bending  the  pin  into  the  position
required.
The  pin  should  not  be  bent  more  than  once  because  repeated bending will weaken the pin and may also weaken it’s retention in the pre-drilled hole.

Disinfection and Sterilization

PINS

Stabilok pins can be  disinfected  before  use  by  placing  them in  a cold  sterilization  solution  for  10  minutes  and  then  rinsing  them with sterile water before use. After use, the shank from which the Stabilok pin has sheared off should be disposed of carefully in a sharps container.

DRILLS

Before first use:
Stabilok drills should be sterilized in a standard autoclave cycle.

After use:
Stabilok  drills  should  have  any  debris,  dentine etc.,  removed either  manually  or  in  an  ultrasonic  bath,  and  should  then  be rinsed and placed in a standard autoclave cycle.