Prophylaxis
Inside Dental Hygiene (IDH): What have been the most important developments in prophylaxis?
Judy Bendit, RDH, BS: Cordless handpieces. The ergonomic benefits and versatility are so significant. Beyond that, so many different features are available, and hygienists need to try different options to determine what is best for their needs.
IDH: How about developments in prophy angles?
Bendit: There are different options for brushes and rubber cups. Some do not require prophy paste. Some claim to not splatter. Try a few, see how they feel in your hands, and then balance that with price, reliability, warranty, etc.
IDH: What about pastes?
Bendit: Selective polishing was the standard for some time because the coarseness of paste can damage the tooth surface and the root. Now, however, the theory is that there is an appropriate paste for every tooth. There are fine prophy pastes that will deliver some fluoride without damaging the tooth. There are also more abrasive ones for patients who drink a lot of coffee or tea, or smoke cigarettes. Some pastes include ingredients such as amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) or NovaMin® (calcium sodium phosphosilicate) to provide additional protection. We also have other instruments at our disposal, such as air polishers, so I do not recommend using the very coarse pastes for any patient. It is important to remember contraindications for polishing, including hypersensitivity, exposed root surfaces, and respiratory conditions. COVID-19 is yet another consideration; we need to be very careful about aerosols when polishing.
IDH: How important is it to make informed decisions?
Bendit: It is extremely important to choose your prophy products yourself rather than have someone else pick for you. Ensure that you are using the product that will work best for your patient population.
CleanJoy
VOCO's CleanJoy minimally invasive prophy paste features optimized filler particles for a smooth patient experience without a sandy feeling. Fine Dual Filler (FDF) Technology allows for a gentle but effective stain removal. There are no parabens, nuts, or gluten, reducing allergy risks. Color-coded grits allow for easy identification, and the simple selection process includes three delicious flavors: fresh Mint, sweet Caramel, and fruity Cherry.
vocoamerica.com • 888-658-2584
Next® Prophy Paste
Next® is the prophy paste hygienists and patients both love. Hygienists love that Next is splatter-free and minimizes aerosol droplets, helping to reduce cross contamination. Its smooth formula provides fast and effective stain removal. Patients love it because it quickly rinses for a fresh, clean feeling and comes in a variety of fun flavors.
preventech.com • 800-474-8681
