Plastic Dental Snap X-Ray Film Holder Clips are simple, disposable devices used to hold and position traditional dental X-ray films (both analog and digital phosphor plates) inside the patient’s mouth. They are a fundamental, low-cost tool for achieving diagnostic images.
Technical Specifications & Material Science: These clips are injection-molded from flexible, medical-grade polypropylene or polystyrene. The classic design features a bite-wing tab with a wing or groove that the patient bites on to stabilize the film. A spring-loaded or friction-fit clip on the back securely holds the film packet in place. The tab often has a raised dot or a differently shaped corner to indicate the film’s orientation (which side faces the tube). They are supplied non-sterile in bulk bags of hundreds.
Industry Standards & Compliance: Class I medical device. The plastic is non-toxic and safe for brief intraoral use.
Application Scenarios: The primary tool for taking bitewing radiographs to detect interdental caries and assess bone levels. Also used for periapical radiographs when a simple, economical method is acceptable, often using the bisecting angle technique. Ubiquitous in dental schools, public health clinics, and general practices worldwide.
Usage Guidelines: Select the appropriate size clip for the film (size 0,1,2,3,4). Snap the film packet into the clip’s holder. Place the assembly in the patient’s mouth with the bite-tab on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth being examined. Instruct the patient to close gently but firmly to hold it in place. Position the X-ray tube head at the correct vertical and horizontal angulation. After exposure, remove the clip, discard the film for processing, and dispose of the clip as clinical waste.
Market Value Proposition: This product is the most economical and straightforward film-holding solution available. For high-volume clinics and budget-conscious practices, it remains the standard. For wholesalers, it is a high-turnover, low-margin staple with enormous, consistent global demand. Its simplicity and effectiveness ensure its continued place in dental radiography, especially in markets transitioning from analog to digital.