The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the brands of rotary instruments to offer its clients greater technology and innovation for the prevention of cross-infections. In this article we will tell you what cross contamination is, the main causes, all the preventive measures adopted by the manufacturers of turbines, contra angles, micromotors, straight pieces, scalers and piezoelectrics to take care of you and your patients.In turn, due to the fact that dental clinics have been considerably affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Council of Dentists has published the document Recommendations for Safe Dentistry Minimizing Aerosols: OSEMIA to make it easier for dentists to work in the clinics.
Keep reading and we will show you not only the steps to follow to make your consultations safer, but also rotary instruments recommended by Dentaltix to equip you with the latest innovations in the dental sector. Let's start!
At Dentaltix, based on these recommendations, we tell you what the dental industry is doing to help dental care be, in the midst of the pandemic, a safe action for both patients and dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants.
What causes the highest risk of infection in the dental clinic?
- The generation of contaminated aerosols.
- The contamination of airways and waterways of dental equipment through rotary instruments.
1. What can we do to reduce aerosols in the dental clinic?
Even if we manage to reduce aerosols, we should always use additional protective measures in the dental clinic to avoid cross-contamination:Isolation doesn't have to be difficult or uncomfortable. Want a good idea? Check out the Powder-Free Rubber Dams from VIDU! Truly complete isolation.
What alternatives does the dental industry provide for aerosol reduction?
This is where the technology and innovation that manufacturers have proposed to reduce the risk of infection is fundamental. Do you want to know what the industry is doing? Keep on reading!
Japanese company NSK Dental conducted an experiment that showed that contra-angles generate less aerosol compared to pneumatic turbines, resulting in a significant reduction in the risk of infection.
Another interesting alternative is NSK's Z95L and Z45L contra-angles which have the ability to convert from water mist spray to water jet spray which creates less aerosol.
Swiss manufacturer Bien Air, conducted the same experiment comparing the aerosol spray pattern of its turbines with that of its Bien Air Classic 1:5 counter-angle and the results also presented a significantly reduced spray.
The German manufacturer KaVo proposes deactivating the air spray by inserting a small rubber ball into the air duct and thus avoid the aerosol, which can be done on some of its electric motors. They suggest that it is preferable to irrigate with a surgical device, an external pump or a hand-held device.
Also KaVo mentions the importance of choosing smaller diameter and less convex burs to prevent water, saliva and blood from being sprayed further. They also indicate that it is essential that the burs are new or at least not worn out, in order not to prolong the duration of the work and consequently the generation of aerosols.
If you definitely prefer to keep your turbines for a season and start using a 1:5 contra angle as a replacement, at Dentaltix we have many alternatives for all budgets, we invite you to take a look at all our contra angle multipliers.
Top 3 best selling contra angle multipliers at Dentaltix
1. NSK M95 1:5 Contra angle Multiplier
The NSK M95 contra angle multiplier features remarkable durability and ergonomic design. It also features a double sealing system to further extend its service life.
- Clean Head system
- Maximum speed of 200,000 RPM
- Four Spray
- Uses high speed burs
- Push Button Burholder
- Anti-Heat System
- Stainless Steel Body
Go to M95 1:5 NSK Contra Angle
2. Technoflux 1:5 Contra Angle Multiplier
The Technoflux Contra Angle Multiplier is a great alternative to give your turbine a break. With its ergonomic design and high quality it promises not to go unnoticed.
- Available with and without light
- Maximum speed of 200,000 RPM
- Internal spray
- Push Button BurHolder
- Ergonomic design
View Technoflux Contra Angle 1:5
3. Bien Air Contra Angle Multiplier 1:5 Standard
The Standard Bien Air Multiplier Counter Angle has an anti-overheating system called CoolTouch+ and an innovative design.
- With light: Multifilament optical glass
- Backflow valve
- Maximum speed of 200,000 RPM
- Silent, only 58 dBA
- Accu-Spray: 3 separate air/water sprays
4. Rose 202 2CAPB 1:1: INTRA Contra Angle with Nexo LED Light
The Nexo Rose 202 2CAPB 1:1 angle multiplier is made of high quality steel and coated with a resin to avoid scratches and the rigors of daily use.
- With LED light
- Non-return valve.
- Maximum speed Rotational speed: 40,000 rpm.
- 2 sprays
- Wear-resistant rotors, compatible with Kavo system, increasing their service life.
View Bien Air Contra Angle 1:5 Standard with Light
2. Other infection risks: contamination of the air and waterways
Another factor that is a risk of infection transmission in the dental clinic is the contamination of the water and air passages of your rotaries that can cause contaminants to enter the hoses of your dental chair.
2.1 Retraction: contamination of waterways
Reatraction is when water backs up into the instrument and water lines, contaminating areas of the equipment that cannot be sterilised. It's a problem with a solution that you don't want to miss!
Many rotary manufacturers have been working for years on improvements and innovations to prevent backflow into water lines and they have all concluded that the solution is anon-return valve. Want to know what it's all about? Here we go!
The non-return valve, also called anti-backflow valve, is present in many rotary instruments, couplings and dental chairs and is essential to prevent cross-contamination not only of COVID-19 but also of other micro-organisms such as hepatitis B, C and D viruses, HSV, HZV and HIV, for example.
What is the dental industry doing to prevent back flow?
Many manufacturers around the world have long since introduced the non-backflow valve in their rotary machines. One example is Morita, a Japanese manufacturer, which describes it as a duckbill that blocks any fluid from flowing back into the water lines.
The Spanish company Bader has also included the anti-return valve in its rotary, a clear example is the Eco Air Torque Basic turbine, which in addition to being equipped with this technology, it is very ergonomic, has ceramic bearings and a very affordable price.
Lotus 302 2PBQ-K turbine Multiflex connection with light
If what you are looking for is a turbine with light, a great option is the Lotus 302 2PBQ-K: Dental Turbine with LED Light - Multiflex Connection by Nexo equipped with a non-return valve and advanced design, made of high-quality steel, which allows maximum reliability and durability. Maintenance, cleaning and lubrication is very simple, allowing maximum useful life to be reached without problems.
View Lotus 302 2PBQ-K: Dental Turbine with LED Light - Multiflex Connection
2.2 Suction: contamination of the airways
When the air that runs your rotaries stops, do they really stop? The answer is no, the rotor continues to rotate due to inertia creating a negative pressure that causes aerosol suction inside the instrument, it works like a vacuum pump that absorbs contaminated fluids.
What is the dental industry doing to prevent suction?
Dental instrument manufacturers have come up with innovations to prevent suction from occurring, many of them have managed to reduce the rotation time of the rotor and others have simply created a brake.
Furthermore, many names have emerged for this technology, for example:
- Dentsply Sirona: Protective head system
- NSK: Clean head system
- Morita: Quick Stop
- Bien Air: Sealed Head
- KaVo: Direct Stop Technology
- W&H: Hygienic Head System
To sum up:
- Sprays are almost unavoidable, but we can reduce them by using a contra angle multiplier instead of a turbine.
- If you really like your turbine, you can use (where possible) absolute isolation to reduce the viral load by at least 70%. It's a good idea!
- You can prevent water backflow from your rotors with a non-return valve.
- You can prevent air suction from your rotators by selecting brands with technologies that slow down or stop the air flow when the instruments are no longer being operated.
We hope we have contributed to making your dental practice safer from cross-contamination and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to write us at hello@dentaltix.com or call us at +44 2036086214 and we will be happy to help you.
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See you soon!
