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The Reason for Choosing the Dental X-ray Machine

Dental x-rays are one of the most important part of your regular dental treatment. Dental radiography has evolved from film and chemical developers into a highly technical process that involves various types of digital x-ray machines, as well as powerful dental software programs to assist the dentist with image acquisition and diagnostic analysis of the acquired images. When making the decision to purchase x-ray equipment, the doctor needs to research the available options thoroughly, in order to make an informed choice for the “right” machine for his or her practice.

A portable dental x-ray is a device that is able to go to the patient as opposed to a standard x-ray machine, which is attached to a wall in a dentist office and requires the patient to be in-office. Some portable devices are completely hand-held while others sit on a stand. Both options often come in carrying cases for easy transport. They are used on patients who don’t have the ability to access a dentist’s office — those who are home-bound or work in remote undeveloped locations are just some of the patients who benefit from the device.

Many patients see their dentist in-office, others require the dentist and equipment to go to them. Those who are incarcerated, home-bound, in nursing homes, working in underdeveloped locations or stationed on military bases are just some of the patients who may benefit from having access to a portable x-ray machine. Teeth problems could not only be painful but could also cause many health problems. Waiting to access an in-office machine may not be an option depending on the condition.

The orthodontist requires a way to obtain the size and form of craniofacial structures in the patient. For this reason, a cephalometric extension on the imaging x-ray device is necessary to acquire images that evaluate the five components of the face, the cranium and cranial base, the skeletal maxillae, the skeletal mandible, and maxillary dentition. The cephalometric attachment offers images such as frontal AP and lateral cephs.

If the practice is concentrated in endodontic and implant treatment, then a CBCT machine is the most practical method of providing the doctor with diagnostic tools such as mandibular canal location, surgical guides, and pre-surgical treatment planning with the assistance of powerful 3D dental software applications. The patient is benefited by the reduced radiation exposure provided by these machines.

The portable dental x-ray is not only useful to patients, but also to dentists who want to be able to help patients who don’t have immediate access to a dental office. Without the device, there is no doubt that quite a few individuals would go without knowing the cause of their tooth pain. Though it doesn’t mean they’ll seek immediate dental care, it at least increases the chances depending on the results of the x-rays.

dental equipment

Knowing How to Maintain Dental Handpieces

There’s many different types of dental equipment that you need at your dental practice, but there’s non more important than your dental handpiece. Every dentist is dependent on the electric handpiece in order for the practice to run smoothly. .Since it’s so versatile, the tool is also happens to be quite intricate. Proper maintenance allows the handpiece to keep running safely.

High speed handpieces are also known as drills in the dental world. This tool is a power-driven tool that has speeds of 400,000 rpm and up. The drill is of course used to drill holes for fillings and assist in other types of dental work like polishing dental trays for dentures.

Electric handpiece repair doesn’t require a complete rebuilding of the tool each and every time. Most times, the parts that are causing the issues are inspected and replaced if needed.

Sometimes, factory parts are required for a repair, other times, bearings of higher ratings can be used, depending on the state of the tool itself. Each brand and variation of handpiece has a different number of bearings and gears. That’s why you need to send your most important tool to the right repair company to ensure a safe and effective repair.

Low speed handpieces rotate at reduced speeds somewhere between 0 and 80,000 rpm, depending upon the make and model. These handpieces are equipped with a speed control ring, allowing you as the user to control the speed of the ring manually.

Understanding the different types of handpieces and the parts that are involved in maintaining them. Most dental offices use high speed handpieces more often than low speed, yet both are useful. You should expect to need your high speed handpiece maintained more often due to the wear and tear on the bearings. The type of maintenance that you perform on your handpiece will also depend on the intricate parts involved on each type of tool.

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The Research about Dental Air Polisher

Use of dental air polishers decreased as the clinician’s age and experience increased. Curricula in many dental hygiene schools do not include clinical instruction in the use of this polishing device due to inadequate numbers of units and difficulty in moving units between clinic stations. Inadequate or insufficient knowledge and experience, therefore, appears to be a major factor in the underutilization of the air polisher. In an attempt to provide a suitable knowledge base for practicing dental hygienists, the primary purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive summary and critique of the research on all aspects of air polishing. In addition, a suggested technique, common concerns, and possible solutions will be discussed.

Discussions are based on a review of the relevant literature on air polishing. Tables organize the data into categories to facilitate access of needed information. Because of the various research designs employed and the number of variables that must be controlled, comparative analyses of the studies are difficult. However, where possible, analyses of the validity and reliability of the studies are provided. It should be remembered that while laboratory (in vitro) investigations are useful, the most definitive conclusions must be obtained through clinical (in vivo) studies. Case reports or opinion articles have limited applications. Therefore, interpretation and application of research results must be done with caution.

Air polishing has been compared to scaling and rubber-cup polishing for efficiency and effectiveness of stain and plaque removal. The literature overwhelmingly supports the use of the air polisher as an efficient and effective means of removing extrinsic stain and plaque from tooth surfaces. Air polishing requires less time than traditional polishing methods and removes stain three times as fast as scaling with comers. In addition, less fatigue to the operator has been mentioned as an important benefit of air polishing.

Most investigators agree that intact enamel surfaces are not damaged when stain removal is accomplished with an air polisher. Even after exposure to enamel for the equivalent of a 15-year recall program, surfaces were not altered.

in one in-vitro study, air polishing was shown to remove less root structure than a curet in simulated three-month recalls for three years. Woodall agrees that the air polisher may be preferable to curets in this situation. Since less root structure is removed, decreased root-surface sensitivity also may be a benefit.

Clinical studies to evaluate soft tissue usually provide generalizable conclusions. Gingival bleeding and abrasion are the most common effects of air polishing. These effects are temporary; healing occurs quickly and effects are not clinically significant. No complications were seen with healing at extraction sites following air polishing of teeth prior to extraction. To avoid tissue trauma, the manufacturer recommends pointing the tip of the air polisher at the facial, lingual, or occlusal surfaces, thus avoiding the gingival margins.

Patients also have noticed a salty taste with air polishing, but this was not objectionable. Covering the tongue with moist gauze may prevent irritation and excessive salty taste, as will rinsing with water, mouthwash, or a mint-flavored powder.

Dental Compressor

How to Maintain the Dental Air Compressor

A dental air compressor pressurizes atmospheric air for use in procedures. Standard compressors are not suitable for this purpose because they may not meet health and safety standards. Dental firms can choose from an array of models designed for small, medium, and large practices with a variety of features.

The operation of an air system requires more than just an ability to turn the right switches. One of the most important aspects of the whole operation is the maintenance of the compressor and various other components, because this ensures long life and efficiency for an air system. Unfortunately, compressed air maintenance mistakes are often made by operators who’ve only familiarized themselves with the basic workings of the equipment.

Common mistakes in compressed air maintenance include failure to assess energy costs and the impacts of contamination and condensation. These mistakes alone can lead to inefficiency and parts failure that can result in losses in the tens of thousands over the course of a given year. Further compressed air maintenance mistakes include a lack of attention to secondary components and a failure to properly train all members on staff of the finer nuances of compressor operation.

Compressed air should always be oil free. Nonetheless, oil serves as a necessary evil in the process of air compression. As such, the process has its share of potential consequences. As the air is compressed, oil is used for the purposes of cooling, lubrication, and sealing. Unfortunately, up to half of the degraded oil can pass through the system in vaporized form, especially when temperatures are high. The system itself can also draw unburned hydrocarbons, which condense once cooled. When acidic oil vapors mesh with moisture in the compressed air, corrosive buildup forms along the air receivers and valve cylinders.

It must be noted that dental oilless air compressors are not contaminant-resistant compressors. In other words, the inlet valve of an oil-free compressor cannot magically filter out airborne contaminants from ambient air. Just as with an oil-lubricated system, an oil-free compressor needs filtration to keep water, dirt, unburned hydrocarbons, and other impurities from the compression process.

Some manufacturers offer refurbished units which have been carefully serviced before sale. These units are similar to those that are new, but have a lower price because they’ve been gently used. It may also be possible to rent a unit, which can help defray the startup costs for a dental practice. The equipment needed to start offering services to patients can be substantial, making it expensive to start a new business.

Dental Autoclve

What Do You Need to Know about Sterilization

Sterilization in dentistry is very important, and dentists and dental assistants typically clean and disinfect most surfaces in a their offices and treatment rooms to help prevent the spread of germs. Disposable dental supplies Australia are also used whenever possible. Tools that are not disposable are generally scrubbed by hand and placed in a machine known as an autoclave. This machine then disinfects the tools by spraying them with very high-pressure steam, which kills most micro-organisms. Any tools that can not be subjected to high heat or moisture are usually disinfected with chemicals.

Sterilization is a necessary part of the maintenance of your dental handpiece. This process also puts your handpiece under the most stress with wear and tear. Maximum temperatures in your dental autoclave shouldn’t reach more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This can help to preserve your handpiece just a bit longer in between the need for service.

Any tools that can not be subjected to moisture or intense heat must be sterilized with other methods. Chemicals are often used during sterilization in dentistry as well. Some of the chemicals used to kill germs and sterilize dental tools are typically iodine or alcohol based, since both of these chemicals are very effective at killing germs.

Tools that can’t be thrown away, such as dental drills, are generally put through a very intensive dental sterilization process. First they are usually vigorously scrubbed by hand. This is usually done with hot water and detergent, and it helps remove any large particles, such as plaque. They may also be placed in a vibrating tray filled with cleaning solution, which can help remove very small particles.

Hot salt/glass bead sterilizers are not acceptable for the sterilization of items between patients. The endodontic dry heat sterilizer (glass bead sterilizer) is no longer cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA Dental Device Classification Panel has stated that the glass bead sterilizer presents “a potential unreasonable risk of illness or injury to the patient because the device may fail to sterilize dental instruments adequately.”

No national mandate requires such a log in a private practice dental office, but requirements in individual states can vary. For example, Indiana requires that sterilizer time(s) and temperature(s) be documented in the dental office infection control manual. Contact your state dental licensing agency to determine if similar requirements exist in your are. Because recordkeeping can play a role in risk management, it may be wise to consult your attorney for advice on maintaining such records.

Dental Curing Light

The Thing You Should Know about Dental UV Curing Light

UV Curing is defined as ‘a speed curing process in which high intensity ultraviolet light is used to create a photochemical reaction that instantly cures inks, adhesives, coatings and other materials’.

The use of a Liquid light guide, for example, is the most economical way of delivering high intensity UV light to materials. Light guides come in two, three or four pole configuration and filter mount assemblies are available to prolong their shelf life.

A radiometer is a useful tool to have in the UV Curing process since they allow operators to monitor and record the UV light curing process – for example a low UV intensity measurement would indicate to the user that part of the apparatus needs to be replaced. Radiometers also have the capability to confirm if the operator is sufficiently shielded from the UV light.

Conventional radiometers often allow a limited check of the light intensity of the curing device only. The reason for this are diverse technical limitations, such as the strictly defined diameter of the light measuring cell. As a rule, only approximate values are measured for each type of device (halogen, plasma, LED etc.). Owing to this fact, conventional radiometers can only be used for a relative light measurement or for checking the consistency of the light intensity.

Light polymerization is regarded as the no. 1 source of error when processing light-curing dental materials. Therefore, you should exercise extreme care in order to save time and not to jeopardize the success of the treatment.
We have compiled a quick guide for you to download. Here you will find essential tips on how to achieve optimum polymerization results.
Here are a few excerpts:

Check the light intensity of your dental curing light regularly and document the result.
Check and clean the curing light before use.
Observe the light curing times and material thickness information from the composite manufacturer.
Use a light guide which gives a uniform distribution of the light output across the light tip.
Position the light tip as closely as possible to the composite and secure it so that the curing light device does not slip.

Other accessories have been designed to offer protection from UV and visible light. Shields and stands offer protection from UV and visible light, whilst providing the user with clear visibility of the curing parts. Protective eye goggles are also recommended to provide additional protection from UV light exposure.

dental equipment

The Use of Dental Suction Units

There are two main types of dental suction unit that dentists use: the saliva ejector and the high volume suction. The saliva ejector does exactly what its name implies; it sucks saliva out of the mouth. This is the suction pictured at the upper right of this article. Many times dentists will have the patient close down on this suction so that it can suction away any remaining saliva in the patient’s mouth.

The other main type of dental suction that we use is the high volume suction. This suction is so strong that the dental assistant simply holds it close to where the dentist is working and it will suck away any nearby debris, much like a strong vacuum cleaner can suck away crumbs without actually touching them.
Why Dentists Use a Dental Suction

Now that the introductions are over, let’s talk about some of the different reasons why dentists will use a suction.
For Patient Comfort

Keeping the patient comfortable is a high priority. We suction after giving anesthetic because the anesthetic has a bitter taste, and most patients prefer to rinse out with water and use the saliva ejector. Also, if the anesthetic sits in the back of your mouth for too long, it may start to slightly numb the back of your mouth and could give the patient a gagging sensation.

We will also use the suction to make sure that you don’t get too much water in your mouth while we are working.
To Clean Away Any Excess Dental Materials

When a dental hygienist cleans and polishes your teeth, you can get a lot of cleaning paste in your mouth. We use the suction to help clean all of that away. Also, when dentists are do amalgam fillings, pieces of the soft amalgam can sometimes fall away from the tooth surface. We use the suction to help whisk them away.
To Keep the Tooth Dry

During some procedures, such as white fillings, it is important that the tooth stay clean and dry. The suction helps keep the tooth dry by sucking away any saliva, blood, and water that may have accumulated around the tooth. If the cavity went below the gum-line, then it’s pretty likely that the gums will bleed during the filling.

Dental Compressor

The Costs of Compressed Air Energy

The operation of an air system requires more than just an ability to turn the right switches. One of the most important aspects of the whole operation is the maintenance of the compressor and various other components, because this ensures long life and efficiency for an air system.

One of the biggest compressed air maintenance mistakes is to underestimate or miscalculate the amount of energy that a compressor will use within the span of a year. Fact is, the price to operate a dental air compressor can equal or exceed the purchasing cost of the machine in the space of just 12 months. Most problematic in this regard is the wasteful usage of a compressed air system, which often occurs when operators are unaware of the overall energy costs.

On average, an industrial air compressor will retail in the ballpark of $30,000 to $50,000. When you multiply the operating costs per hour by the number of usage hours per day across 12 months, the cost of operating the machine during the first year alone could well exceed the initial price, and that doesn’t even count any possible maintenance costs.

A reliable way to estimate annual energy costs is to take the compressor’s horsepower and multiply that by .746, then multiply that by the number of usage hours, then multiply that by the power rate, and finally divide the total by the motor efficiency.

To best assure efficiency, it’s important to accurately calculate the annual energy costs of an air compressor, and to make sure that all operating staff understand how the figure plays out on a daily basis. That way, wasteful system use can be curbed going forward.

Even though the compressor is the main component of concern within an air system, it’s not the only one in need of routine maintenance. Of equal importance during any maintenance inspection are the other components that facilitate the air supply. Chief among such components is the air receiver, which holds compressed air for times when air demands increase, and also reduces system wear and contamination.

The air receiver makes it possible to run the compressor at lower levels and conserve energy in the process. However, the air receiver won’t be able to do its job properly if it’s too small for the system, because the compressor will have to run longer than necessary to keep up with air demand. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that the air receiver is either large enough for the system, or backed with secondary receivers.

dental equipment

The Difference Between Traditional Handpiece and Electrical Handpiece

One of the most fundamental devices used in dentistry, the handpiece can enhance the efficiency of everyday dental tasks. Through the years, handpieces have gradually been redesigned and upgraded to become the highly accurate and sophisticated tools they are today. Technological advances continue to improve these indispensable dental equipment.

The dental handpiece is an essential element in any dentist’s armamentarium. It is a fundamental device that can enhance—or hinder, depending on its efficiency and maintenance—the daily routine of a practice. Selecting the right handpiece is critical to helping ensure the smooth operation of everyday activities. The two primary types of handpieces—air-driven and electric—have unique characteristics with specific benefits and drawbacks. Both can achieve excellent results, therefore it is important to understand the differences and advantages of each.

Speed and precision are two things that you should look for in a handpiece. The better your handpiece, the smoother the day-to-day operation of your dental practice will be. There’s many different kinds of handpieces. How do you select the one that’s right for your practice?

Traditional handpieces use an air-driven turbine to facilitate the rotators. These have a lighter weight and a skinny design, making them easy to work with. While turbine handpieces have many advantages, they can also cause higher levels of “noise” as the handpiece ages and the bearings wear down.

Electric handpieces (with variable revolutions per minute) are also available that give dentists added benefits when compared to their traditional air-driven counterparts. One significant difference is having a specific RPM, with constant torque and less “bur chatter” (more concentric), so that when polishing or cutting through various types of tooth structure or restorative materials, the bur does not “bog down” or slow down when performing the clinical task. In many clinical situations, an electric handpiece can perform the same functions that both an air-driven high-speed and separate low-speed unit can.

Since most clinicians still prefer individual handpieces for high and low speeds so they can be more efficient chairside, this may not make a difference when choosing between the two systems; however, the higher initial investment for electric handpieces may be a consideration for some clinicians. Also, given the ability to “dial in” the desired RPM and use different contra-angles that have different gearing ratios, the electric handpiece can be custom-tailored to perform many other types of clinical procedures such as rotary endodontics, implant placement, and third molar removal (via tooth sectioning), for example. This clinical versatility is very desirable in today’s dental practices where multidisciplinary treatments are becoming increasingly common.

Electrical handpieces operate at both high and low speeds. This makes them versatile for all kinds of procedures. Instead of bearings, this handpiece has gears instead of bearings. These handpieces are quieter due to the fact that air is not flowing through them for power.

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What Should You Know about the Dental Air Polisher

Although air polishing has only recently become a common option for dental patients, it’s a concept that’s been around for quite a while. Over the past few years, techniques have been perfected, and dental air polisher is now believed to be a very safe, effective, and efficient way to remove stains from the teeth, although it’s important to remember that air polishing methods may not be suitable for everyone.

Air polishing is just that – it’s the practice of polishing the teeth using a stream of air that’s directed onto them. Some air polishing machines may also use a stream of water. The air works in two ways. Firstly, it ‘blows’ onto the teeth and gums to remove any buildups of dirt, and get rid of any food that may have become trapped, which is especially common if you choose not to floss. Secondly, it blows an abrasive powder onto the teeth which helps to tackle stubborn stains such as tea and coffee.

Which is better: air polishing or traditional polishing? Well, that’s a difficult question to answer. When the most suitable polishers are used, there really shouldn’t be any differences in the overall result, but some people do prefer air polishing simply because it’s the newer option. But it’s not for everyone.

One of the biggest concerns with air polisher is the use of sodium bicarbonate as an abrasive. It’s reported that 1 in every 3 adults in the US suffers with hypertension, or high blood pressure, and many are advised to adhere to a low sodium diet to help keep symptoms under control. The use of sodium bicarbonate, which has a high salt content, could potentially be risky for some dental patients. A number of clinics are now using calcium carbonate instead, so this is worth checking with your practice.

In supragingival polishing, the powder of choice is usually sodium bicarbonate which is abrasive and helpful with the removal of heavy stains and soft deposits above the gumline. With subgingival air polishers, the tip is specialized to be able to effectively enter the periodontal pocket and deliver a very low abrasive powder. The powder of choice with subgingival air polishing is Glycine. Glycine is an amino acid and is significantly smaller in particle size than sodium bicarbonate. It appears to have an active role in the disruption of bacterial recolonization making it both preventive and therapeutic.

Another concern is that air polishing could reduce bond strengths on tooth restorations, and so it is generally advised that patients with restorations stick to traditional polishing techniques using dedicated nanocomposite polishers which are not only safe to use on restorations, but also provide a great finish.

Overall, air polisher can be good to try, and you may find that you prefer this over traditional polishing methods. However, if you are unable to use air polishing for health reasons, don’t worry. Traditional polishing techniques can be equally as effective, leaving you with smooth, shiny, and healthy teeth.