WORRIED ABOUT DENTAL AEROSOL? | 10
9 | WORRIED ABOUT DENTAL AEROSOL?
STAY SHARP... LITERALLY!
Hu-Friedy hand instruments have always led the line in quality, longevity and instrument effectiveness. The ergonomic metal handles are well balanced and help users maintain a light controlled touch. The instruments themselves also sharpen extremely well so that they can be maintained long-term. Whilst ultrasonic use is not prohibited in the UK, we are tasked with minimising risk for our patients in this time of pandemic and have various guidelines to help us with this. We therefore aim to minimise aerosols and the use of ultrasonics where possible. It has now become even more important to have hand instruments that one can rely on. Dr Richard Horwitz, Specialist in Periodontics, Private Practice London UK While cleaning the teeth, you want to prevent con-
Ms. Jennifer Harmond
WHAT
HAND INSTRUMENT USERS SAY...
Any skilled dental hygienist understands that using sharp instruments is crucial to efficient patient care. Not only are sharp instruments advantageous for the patient, quality sharpness also benefits the dental hygienist as well. While there are a multitude of instruments to choose from in the dental hygiene profession, certain instruments such as Hu-Friedy’s EverEdge™ 2.0 exceeds expectations in many regards. EverEdge scalers improve palpable sensations, thus augmenting the efficiency of scaling and periodontal debridement. Due to advancements in technology, Hu-Friedy’s EverEdge 2.0 scalers are 50% sharper than the next scaling competitor. * Compared to the Amercian Eagle XP scalers, EverEdge 2.0 is actually 63% sharper, even after 500 strokes. * The newer metal of the EverEdge 2.0 instruments allows the cutting edge to maintain sharpness longer than traditional metals, thus reducing the frequency of sharpening. This is not to say that an EverEdge 2.0 scaler will last a lifetime, but the longevity outlast other scalers in the market. With the optimized heat control process to help maintain the sharp stainless steel cutting edge, the EverEdge 2.0 means more comfort for the patient and clinician. The clinician feels greater control of the instrument, along with the specifically designed large diameter handle for optimal weight leading to reduced hand fatigue. Meanwhile, less discomfort is experienced by the patient since the clinician is using fewer strokes and is applying less pressure during scaling. Coated instruments, on the other hand, such as the American Eagle instruments made with XP WHY USING SHARP INSTRUMENT IS CRUCIAL TO EFFICIENT PATIENT CARE?
technology, have limitations in their design. Instead of the titanium nitride coating being embedded in the steel, the coating actually encapsulates the blade of the instrument and can be removed when the blade is pressed against a hard surface (the tooth). Consequently, once the coated layer has flaked off or is removed, the instrument is no longer effective. After the coating is missing, the instrument should be discarded. Contrary, the EverEdge 2.0 scalers can continue to be sharpened to generate a functionally sharp cutting edge. Ultimately, using sharp instruments will lead to successful clinical outcomes. Practitioners and patients alike benefit from advanced manufacturing processes with scalers like the EverEdge 2.0. Jennifer Harmon is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the department of Dental Ecology at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, NC. Jennifer’s experience expands beyond clinical, with backgrounds in both education and research. In her current role, she is the course director for Preventative Therapies and Periodontal Scaling as well as Dental Hygiene Theory. Jennifer has authored articles in multiple publications and speaks on a variety of dental hygiene related topics; with a focus on advanced periodontal instruments and ergonomics. When not educating or speaking, you might find her volunteering or coaching. She has a passion to improve the clinical teaching environment and the quality of patient care.
tact with aerosol as much as possible. The most appropriate method to prevent this is to treat your patients with hand instruments. As a dental hygie- nist I have been very successful in treating complex periodon- titis patients for 38 years. From day one I use Hu-Friedy scalers and curettes for this. Hu-Friedy has developed the scalers and curettes in such a way that the instrument lies comfortably in the hand. The instrument is easy to insert sub gingival due to the special angle of the shaft of the instrument. This allows you to adequately remove the supra calculus and to optimally clean the deep pockets with the EverEdge™ Curettes. (…)
... The occupational „transmission path - droplet infection - through aerosol mist“ has been a focus, questioned and discussed many times over the past few months. Because the use of aerosol-forming measures should be minimized, sometimes even completely avoided - when performing professional tooth cleaning or supporting periodontal therapy we were encouraged to carry them out with hand instruments. The combination of mechanical and manual instrumentation, linking the advantages of both treatment options, has been my personal “prophylaxis concept”. Nevertheless, as a trained dental hygienist, we can help our patients with manual instrumentation, through our specialist knowledge, an atraumatic, targeted and individual application, to keep oral health in balance.(....) Swetlana Fehler, Hygienist, Germany
Here in the United Kingdom we have been now been allowed to work as the lockdown has eased, but under restrictions of not utilising any aerosol generating procedures. Therefore it‘s been a change for our patients as they are used to ultrasonics being used in the maintenance phase of periodontal therapy. But our patients are adaptable, like we are in these changing times, so utilising hand instruments for treatment has not been an issue for them. I love Hu Friedy instruments, they are beautifully designed to be ergonomic for the clinician and specifically designed to do the job. Amit Patel, Specialist in periodontics and implant dentist, United Kingdom
Pascale D. Hemelrijk, Hygienist, Netherlands
* Products tested: Hu-Friedy® EverEdge™ 2.0 H7, American Eagle XP H6-7, PDT H6-7, LM EM/EN H6-7, and G M Hartzell H6-7. Hu-Friedy cooperated with CATRA, an independent specialized blade laboratory, to conduct this testing. For more information, contact David Platt, Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC, 3232 N. Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618.
... I personally believe that hand instruments are essential in dental hygiene. An important requirement in addition to basic technical knowledge and precise use is the sharpness of the instruments. An ergonomic handle structure is also an advan- tage. I would not want to do practice without hand instruments because when working in the subgingival area I have more tactile feeling than with mechanical alternatives. (…) Therefore I would like to (…) also emphasize instrument maintenance. Because in this area we need clear systems, QM checklists, work instructions and clear workflows in order to be able to guarantee the best possible care for our patients (...). Nancy Moder, Hygienist, Germany One of the major benefits of using hand instruments when treating patients with perio pathology is the fact, that these instruments are easily adapted to any surface of the root, do not overheat the surface of a tooth during SRP and of course they do not create aerosol(…). The last feature is exceptionally important during COVID-19 pandemic. Instruments are continuously upgrading which is a result of a tight coordination between HF and practitioners. (…) Dr. Tamara Volinska, PhD, Ukraine
THE BEST OF EVER EDGE™ 2.0
(…) To remove clear aligner attach- ments, the first thing we will think
STAYS SHARPER EVEN LONGER EVEREDGE™ 2.0 uses a new, optimised heat control process in order to maintain the hard, sharp edge. This heat control, plus several manufacturing high technology steps in Hu-Friedy’s proprietary process, provide the durability needed for effective procedures and continued use UNCOATED PERFORMANCE Similar to the original EVEREDGE technology, our proprietary processing ensures that the superior edge retention and wear characteristics of EVEREDGE 2.0 will last the entire life of the instrument. Since it’s not a superficial coating, these characteristics can’t be sharpened or scraped away. EVEREDGE 2.0 scalers can be resharpened at any point to extend their life REVOLUTIONARY TESTING SYSTEM Hu-Friedy has invested in a custom blade evaluation system to ensure clinicians are receiving the sharpest possible instruments. Blades from every batch of EVEREDGE 2.0 are tested right off the factory line to confirm that the sharpness value remains in our target range, averaging 5 newtons of force required to cut the test material NEW FINELY-HONED FINISH EVEREDGE scalers are sharp…EVEREDGE 2.0 scalers are even sharper. Using an enhanced finishing process, Hu-Friedy’s professional artisans are creating edges that are scientifically measured to be over 60% sharper than the next closest competitor. Less force means easier, more comfortable scaling for the clinician and patient DIAMOND KNURL METAL HANDLE The same EVEREDGE handle you love! The unique diamond knurl pattern on the large diameter handle provides a confident and comfortable grasp. The #9 EVEREDGE handle was also designed to be the optimal weight for reduced hand fatigue
about will surely be to use rotaries: turbine or contra-angle. Another option (I could say practically unknown) is to use an orthodontic plier to remove adhesives. The advantage is that with the pliers, you do not have to use the rotary and cooling, so it does not emit aerosols. Although at first glance it is similar to the strip removal pliers, it is different. The difference is that the active arm stripper (which rests on the vestibular band) is not aligned with the plastic stops (which rest on the occlusal). The other difference is that the ‘blade’ on the active arm is replaceable so it can be changed if it breaks or wears out. (…)
Dr. Manual Román, Orthodontist, Spain
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