Parkell Burnett Power Tip (magnetostrictive)
This tip is longer and thinner than your typical universal tip, and it’s more powerful. It can safely be used at the highest power level on your ultrasonic scaler. I rarely have to go beyond half power. At least 80% of my scaling needs, on average, can be completed with this tip. For the remaining 20% I utilize a very thin perio tip and/or hand scaling. The Parkell Burnett Power Tip is by far the best tip I have ever used.
- Powerful and rugged
Isolite Mouthpiece
I use the Isolite mouthpiece for two primary procedures in hygiene: sealants and air polishing. The mouthpiece allows you to easily place quality sealants without an assistant. It makes air polishing less messy and more efficient. Some balk at the $2.50 per mouthpiece price tag, but the time you will save using it easily covers the cost and then some. The Isolite mouthpiece can be connected to your HVE system in three ways: Kona Adapter (disclaimer: this is my product), the Palmer Isolite Adapter, or an Isolite system (Isolite, IsoDry, or IsoVac).
Kona Adapter 2.0, Tube Kit and Isolite Mouthpiece
Suction Mirrors
This is the primary product I use when ultrasonic scaling to retract and evacuate. Suction mirrors have been around for many years, but they seem to be so underutilized by hygienists. I don’t understand why! They work so well. Suction mirrors were never mentioned at my hygiene school. A new suction mirror, the Hammer Head, just entered the market. It looks great. I look forward to testing that product in the near future.
Autoclavable suction mirror ($36)
Air Polisher
I love using the air polisher on ortho patients and patients with moderate to heavy stain. It’s much more efficient than prophy paste. I currently use a cheap eBay air polisher that works relatively well, but does not have the quality to stand up to heavy daily use. I will eventually purchase a quality, high end brand so I can use it on nearly every patient. I manage the mess created by the air polisher by using both the Isolite mouthpiece and a wide HVE tip. The combo works very well, but it requires that you have two HVE valves.
Ultradent’s UltraSeal XT Hydro Sealant
For many years I used both ClinPro and Embrace sealants and both worked very well, but last year I decided to try Ultradent’s new UltraSeal XT hydro sealant. Like Embrace, it uses a wet bond technology, but unlike Embrace, it doesn’t instruct you to leave a “moist” surface when placing the sealant material. You dry it normally, but because of the wet bond, you don’t have to get crazy about it, which makes that step a little quicker. I started seeing my recall patients a few months ago and the retention rate has been excellent. This is now the only sealant material I use.
Tip has a brush on the end that makes it easier to spread and work the sealant material into the pits and fissures.
Headlight and Loupes
Once you adjust to using a headlight and loupes, you will never go back! It allows you see sub-gingival calculus in pockets you would have missed. It allows you to clean out pits and fissures and place sealants in a very precise way. I personally use 4.5x Medlite loupes and a Lumadent headlight. It’s a very affordable combo compared to the high end brands and works very well, especially the Lumadent headlight, which offers excellent bang for your buck. If you are not currently using a headlight and loupes, I strongly encourage you to give it a try.
Medlite 4.5x loupes with Lumadent Headlight
Mark Frias, RDH
http://MarkRDH.com