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Dental handpieces are the cornerstone of modern restorative and surgical dentistry. These critical instruments determine the quality, efficiency, and comfort of each procedure.

This blog covers the differences between high-speed and low-speed handpieces, so you can choose the right tool for every task, ensuring optimal performance and patient outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• High-speed handpieces excel at cutting and crown preparation, offering efficiency and precision.
  
  

• Low-speed handpieces provide better control for finishing, polishing, and hygiene applications.
  
  

• Choosing the right model depends on procedure type, power source preference, and handling comfort.
  
  

• Consistent cleaning, lubrication, and servicing are critical to handpiece longevity and patient safety.

Understanding the Basics

A dental handpiece is a mechanical device that rotates cutting or polishing instruments at controlled speeds. Both high-speed and low-speed models rely on air or electric power, but their design, torque, and intended use differ significantly.

• High-speed handpieces operate at 200,000–400,000 rpm, making them ideal for cutting hard tissues.
  
  

• Low-speed handpieces run at 5,000–40,000 rpm, offering better control for finishing, polishing, and soft-tissue procedures.
  
  

Each speed range serves a unique role in clinical workflows, from cavity preparation to polishing and prophylaxis.

High-Speed Handpieces: Precision and Efficiency

High-speed handpieces — often called “air turbines” — are designed for tasks requiring rapid cutting and minimal vibration. Their power comes from compressed air driving a small turbine located in the head.

Key Characteristics

• Speed: 200,000–400,000 rpm
  
  

• Torque: Moderate
  
  

• Cooling: Water spray for heat dissipation
  
  

• Noise: Higher (air-driven), lower in electric models
  
  

Best Uses

• Tooth preparation for crowns and restorations
  
  

• Sectioning teeth during extractions
  
  

• Adjusting occlusal surfaces
  
  

• Removing old restorations (amalgam, composite, etc.)
  
  

Advantages

• Efficient cutting of enamel and dentin
  
  

• Requires minimal pressure and enhances patient comfort
  
  

• Water spray minimizes heat and reduces risk of pulpal injury
  
  

• Compact and lightweight for better accessibility
  
  

Limitations

• Generates aerosols; requires strict infection control
  
  

• Provides less torque compared to electric low-speed units
  
  

• Bearing wear over time may reduce turbine performance
  
  

For best results, clinicians should ensure proper handpiece lubrication, sterilization, and bur balance to extend turbine life.

Low-Speed Handpieces: Control and Versatility

Low-speed handpieces, also called contra-angle or straight handpieces, are built for precision at reduced rpm levels. These are available in both air-driven and electric versions, with the latter providing consistent torque and speed control.

Key Characteristics

• Speed: 5,000–40,000 rpm
  
  

• Torque: High, especially in electric systems
  
  

• Cooling: Optional water spray
  
  

• Noise: Lower than high-speed models
  
  

Best Uses

• Polishing restorations and appliances
  
  

• Caries excavation and finishing margins
  
  

• Prophylaxis (with prophy angle attachments)
  
  

• Endodontic canal preparation (with suitable attachments)
  
  

Advantages

• Provides greater tactile control for delicate procedures
  
  

• Ideal for finishing and contouring restorations
  
  

• Compatible with various attachments (latch, friction grip, prophy cups)
  
  

• Electric models maintain constant torque even at low speeds
  
  

Limitations

• Slower cutting efficiency on enamel and dentin
  
  

• May cause chatter if used improperly at low torque
  
  

• Heavier electric handpieces can cause fatigue if unbalanced
  
  

Routine maintenance and lubrication prevent internal buildup and ensure consistent torque delivery.

Quick Comparison Table

Maintenance Essentials for Optimal Performance

Proper maintenance maximizes lifespan and ensures consistent handpiece performance. Follow these best practices:

• Clean and dry thoroughly before sterilization to avoid corrosion.
  
  

• Lubricate per manufacturer guidelines, especially before autoclaving.
  
  

• Inspect bearings, couplings, and O-rings regularly for wear.
  
  

• Use filtered air and distilled water to prevent internal contamination.
  
  

• Schedule periodic servicing every 6–12 months depending on usage frequency.
  
  

Preventive maintenance not only improves cutting performance but also supports infection control compliance.

If you’re looking to have your handpieces or other dental equipment serviced, maintained, or repaired, Safco has you covered with our on-site repair services, offered in partnership with UptimeServices.

FAQs

What is the difference between air-driven and electric handpieces?

Air-driven models use compressed air to rotate the bur, while electric handpieces rely on a motor for consistent torque and quieter operation.

Can a low-speed handpiece be used for tooth preparation?

Not typically. It lacks the cutting efficiency for enamel or dentin. It’s best suited for finishing, polishing, or caries removal.

How often should dental handpieces be serviced?

Most manufacturers recommend inspection and maintenance every 6–12 months, depending on usage and sterilization frequency.

Can handpieces be sterilized in an autoclave?

Yes. Both high-speed and low-speed handpieces should be cleaned, lubricated, and then autoclaved according to manufacturer instructions.

Dental composites are highly versatile materials that support esthetic, minimally invasive restorations through strong adhesion to enamel and dentin. However, their performance varies based on filler size, viscosity, and resin matrix composition.

Understanding these differences helps dentists select the right composite for each case, ensuring durability, marginal integrity, and natural esthetics. In this blog, we’ll explain those differences to help you make an informed decision for your dental practice.

Key Takeaways

• Dental composites vary by filler size, resin matrix, viscosity, and handling. Understanding these differences helps in selecting the right composite for each clinical scenario.
  
  

• For highly esthetic restorations (anterior teeth, veneers, small defects), microfill or nanofill materials provide superior gloss, translucency, and surface smoothness.
  
  

• For posterior, load-bearing restorations, go with hybrids, nanohybrids, packable or bulk-fill composites that emphasize strength and wear resistance.
  
  

• Proper polymerization protocol, layering technique, and surface polishing are essential for longevity and esthetic stability.
  
  

• Always balance esthetic demands with mechanical requirements; choosing a material aligned with the restoration type and location yields better outcomes.

Classification: Types of Dental Composites

Dental composites are commonly grouped according to filler particle size, viscosity/handling, and application technique.

Universal Composites

Universal composites combine the esthetics of anterior materials with the strength needed for posterior restorations, enabling use across a wide range of cases. They typically use nanohybrid or nanofilled systems that balance polishability, wear resistance, and handling.

Designed for versatility, they simplify shade matching through chameleon-like blending and feature adaptable viscosity — firm enough for posterior sculpting yet smooth for anterior contouring. While marketed as all-purpose, extreme stress areas or highly esthetic zones may still benefit from specialised materials. Universal composites thus offer a practical balance of beauty, strength, and efficiency in everyday restorative dentistry.

Macrofill Composites

Macrofill composites were among the earliest generations of dental composites, characterized by large filler particles ranging from about 10 to 100 micrometres. They offer good wear resistance in certain conditions and suit older restorative techniques, but their coarse texture makes them difficult to polish. As a result, they tend to develop rough surfaces that attract stains and plaque, making them unsuitable for highly esthetic areas of the mouth.

Microfill Composites

Microfill composites contain extremely small filler particles—typically between 0.04 and 0.1 micrometres—and have a lower filler loading. They are prized for their excellent polishability, smooth finish, and lifelike translucency, making them ideal for anterior restorations. However, their reduced filler content means they have lower mechanical strength and greater susceptibility to wear in high-stress regions, along with a tendency for slightly higher polymerisation shrinkage.

Hybrid and Microhybrid Composites

Hybrid and microhybrid composites blend small and larger filler particles (roughly 0.4 to 1 micrometre and beyond) to achieve a balance between strength and esthetics. These materials exhibit good wear resistance, high strength, and a polished finish, making them suitable for both anterior and posterior restorations.

While they polish well initially, their long-term surface gloss may not match that of microfill or nanofill composites, and they can be somewhat firmer and more technique-sensitive to handle.

Nanofill & Nanohybrid Composites

Nanofill and nanohybrid composites incorporate nanoparticles smaller than about 0.1 micrometre—either exclusively (nanofill) or in combination with larger fillers (nanohybrid). They deliver excellent esthetics, polish retention, and translucency, along with enhanced wear resistance. Many are designed as universal materials for use across both anterior and posterior teeth.

Their main drawbacks are a higher investment and, in some cases, greater sensitivity to handling and polishing techniques. Certain formulations can also develop a slightly frosty appearance over time if not polished correctly.

Flowable Composites

Flowable composites feature a lower filler content and reduced viscosity, allowing them to flow easily and adapt to cavity walls. Their fluid nature makes them valuable for lining cavities, restoring small defects, sealing pits and fissures, and managing Class V restorations.

However, their lower strength and wear resistance, combined with higher polymerisation shrinkage, limit their use in larger posterior restorations unless reinforced with stronger materials.

Packable or Condensable Composites

Packable or condensable composites are formulated with higher viscosity to mimic the handling characteristics of dental amalgam, making them useful for posterior restorations such as Class I and II cavities. They facilitate the creation of tight proximal contacts and well-contoured occlusal anatomy. 

Nonetheless, their stiffness can hinder adaptation to cavity walls and marginal areas, and their polished finish may be less refined compared with other composite types.

Bulk-fill Composites

Bulk-fill composites are engineered to be placed in thicker layers — up to 4 or 5 millimetres — without compromising depth of cure or increasing shrinkage stress. They streamline restorative procedures by reducing layering time and are particularly suited to deep posterior cavities.

Despite their mechanical strength, some bulk-fills exhibit lower wear resistance in areas of heavy occlusal contact, and their esthetics may not always meet anterior standards unless their translucency and polishability are optimized. Careful light-curing technique remains essential to ensure full polymerisation.

Which Composite Works Best for Each Case?

Selecting a composite means matching the material’s strengths with the restoration’s demands. Here are some recommendations:

• Esthetic anterior restorations (Class III, IV, veneers): Use microfill or nanofill composites which deliver high gloss polish, excellent translucency, and fine detail in incisal edges. Hybrid or nanohybrid also acceptable where more strength is needed.
  
  

• Stress-bearing posterior restorations (Class I, II): Use hybrid, nanohybrid, or packable composites with high filler content, good strength, and wear resistance. Bulk-fill variants can help reduce layering time, provided that curing depth is assured.
  
  

• Cervical lesions, root surface restorations, small conservative defects: Flowable composites are suitable for adaptation; for esthetic blending, microfills or nanofills can be used superficially.
  
  

• Deep cavity preparations: Use bulk-fill base to reduce time and polymerization shrinkage stress, then cover with a higher esthetic composite layer if required in occlusal or visible zones.
  
  

• Repair or finishing of existing composites: Choose a material with polishability and color stability; nanofills and some microhybrids perform well in maintaining gloss over time.

Handling, Polymerization & Material Considerations

Correct use enhances clinical outcomes. Key parameters include:

• Shade and translucency selection: Match natural enamel and dentin layers; some composites come with opaque layers or enamel-like layers.
  
  

• Polymerization shrinkage and stress management: Reducing shrinkage relies on smaller filler sizes, higher filler loading, and advanced resin matrix chemistries. Proper placement technique — whether incremental or bulk-fill — combined with correct light-curing protocols (intensity and exposure time) is essential for minimizing stress and improving outcomes.
  
  

• Depth of cure: Especially important for bulk-fill composites; verify whether a single increment cures sufficiently to avoid undercured resin at the bottom.
  
  

• Surface finish and polish: Achieving a smooth, lasting surface requires fine and ultrafine polishing abrasives. Nano and nanohybrid composites generally retain gloss better over time, while microfills give superior immediate polish but may wear faster.
  
  

• Biocompatibility and radiopacity: Choose composites that are radiopaque for diagnostic imaging; for patients with sensitivities, avoid materials with questionable monomer components.

Common Mistakes & Pitfalls

• Using high-strength composites in an esthetic zone without considering polishability may lead to rough margins.
  
  

• Relying entirely on bulk-fill without ensuring top layer esthetics can compromise surface gloss or shade match.
  
  

• Improper incremental technique (where needed) or inadequate light curing leading to under-polymerized resin, secondary caries, or marginal breakdown.
  
  

• Choosing flowable composites for stress-bearing occlusal surfaces where strength is required can lead to early failure.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know what to look for in each composite type, it’s time to make the right choice and achieve long-lasting, natural-looking results for your patients.

For trusted, high-performance composite materials, explore Safco Dental Supply’s composites catalog — and the broader restorative dentistry catalog containing everything you need for anterior and posterior restorations alike.

FAQs

What are dental composites made of?

They typically contain a resin matrix (such as Bis-GMA or UDMA), inorganic fillers (silica or glass), a coupling agent, and photo-initiators.

When should flowable composites be used?

Flowables are best for small Class V restorations, liners under larger composites, or areas requiring excellent adaptation.

What’s the main difference between nanofill and microhybrid composites?

Nanofills have smaller filler particles for better polish and gloss retention, while microhybrids offer slightly higher strength and easier handling.

Can bulk-fill composites replace layering completely?

Not always. They save time in deep cavities but should be finished with a highly esthetic composite for surface gloss and color blending.

Pulp capping is a method of restorative endodontic treatment that, in some cases, can provide an alternative to root canal treatment for a decayed tooth.

Safco Dental Supply is your one-stop expert resource for dental procedure supplies and information. Continue reading for a full breakdown of pulp capping – as well as which supplies you’ll need to complete this procedure for your patients successfully.

What is Pulp Capping?

Pulp capping treatment may be recommended when the decay inside the tooth has not yet reached the pulp. 

In most cases, dental pulp capping is done to avoid root canal treatment and provide the patient with the opportunity to seek a less invasive treatment method to save the integrity of their natural tooth.

If the enamel and dentin have been affected by damage or decay but the pulp remains healthy, it is possible to avoid a root canal and complete a pulp cap instead. For many patients, this can be an attractive treatment option.

The Steps Involved in a Pulp Cap Procedure

Below are the steps that are typically involved in a dental pulp cap procedure:

1. Decay is removed
2. Sedative material is placed (protects pulp from bacteria)
3. Filling is placed

These three simple steps are typically used to carry out what is known as direct pulp capping.

Depending on the type of pulp cap procedure that is being done, additional steps may be carried out. Let’s touch on the two different types of capping procedures: direct pulp capping and indirect pulp capping.

Direct vs. Indirect Pulp Cap

There are two types of pulp cap treatment: direct and indirect. 

Direct pulp caps are done when decay has left a healthy dental pulp exposed. The steps that have been listed above are typically used to carry out a direct pulp cap procedure.

Indirect pulp caps are done when the decay is very close to the pulp. In this case, if a direct pulp cap was to be done, there is a risk of the pulp being damaged or exposed when the decay is removed. 

During an indirect pulp cap, a minimal amount of decay is left near the pulp and the area is covered with a dentin bonding agent – such as glass ionomer or calcium hydroxide. These substances typically help prevent bacteria growth and can encourage dentin regeneration. While it may seem counterproductive to leave a small bit of decay, properly sealing the dentin can actually encourage regeneration.

After the cavity has been filled with a temporary filling, progress will be monitored after a period of six to eight months. The temporary filling is removed in order to allow the provider to take a thorough look at the healing and regeneration. If needed, residual decay is removed before a permanent filling is placed at last.

Indirect pulp capping may typically be used on primary (baby) teeth, while direct pulp capping is better suited to secondary (adult) teeth.

Risks and Complications of a Pulp Cap

Of course, it is important to ensure that your patients are informed of the possible risks and/or complications that may come along with dental pulp capping.

The most important risk to consider is that the pulp cap procedure may not be successful if the decay and/or bacteria reach the pulp of the tooth after the procedure has been completed. The patient may then develop pulpitis, which would in turn call for a root canal in most cases. In some extreme cases, extensive decay or damage may necessitate an extraction.

Patients should be made aware that their pulp capping treatment may not provide a permanent solution, and that a root canal (or even an extraction) may possibly be needed in the case that their treatment fails. Ensuring that your patient is a fully-informed partner in their treatment is the best way to create a secure patient-provider bond.

It is also important to ensure that your patient fully understands the importance of maintaining proper oral hygiene at home. Maintaining a healthy oral environment is imperative to the success of pulp cap treatment – as well as ensuring the health of the rest of the mouth.

Essential Supplies & Equipment for Pulp Capping

In order to provide the best possible treatment for your patients, it is imperative to ensure that you are using the right supplies and equipment.

Below is a list of essential supplies and equipment for dental pulp capping:

• Zinc Oxide Eugenol (ZOE): Used for pulp tissue preservation
• Glass Ionomer (GI): Used as a lining prior to filling placement/dental bonding agent
• Resin Modified Glass Ionomer (RMGIC): Used as a lining prior to filling placement/dental bonding agent
• Adhesive materials/adhesive systems: Used to encourage proper and thorough sealing
• Calcium hydroxide cement: Used as a sedative (temporary) filling to discourage bacterial growth; strong antibacterial properties
• Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA): Used as a sedative (temporary) filling. Protects the pulp and encourages repair and regeneration with antibacterial properties

Of course, the materials and equipment that you use during your pulp cap procedures is at your discretion and depends upon your preferences. The Safco Dental team is here to help you select the dental supplies that work best for both you and your patients.

Get Insights on a Variety of Dental Procedures from Safco

Providing your patients with top-tier treatment has never been more achievable. The Safco Dental Supply team is here to provide you with the information, products, and supplies that you need in order to provide your patients with the best possible treatment experience.

With the information you have learned here, you will be well-equipped for providing your patients with the best possible experience during their pulp capping treatment.

For high-quality dental products, place your trust in Safco Dental Supply. We provide a wide range of products to fit every need, with free shipping on orders over $250. From crown and bridge supplies to endodontic supplies, we have you covered.

We strive to get you your products as fast as possible. All orders placed before 4:30 pm CST (3:30 pm on Friday) are shipped out same-day.

Give us a call at 800.621.2178 to speak with one of our experts about dental pulp capping materials.

While there may be many factors pertaining to a dental visit that may pose a concern for your patients, a possible allergic reaction to local anesthetic may not initially be a factor that is considered. 

The possibility of a local anesthetic allergy may be understandably harrowing for your patients, but you can put them at ease by helping them understand that adverse reactions to lidocaine or novocaine are quite rare.

Knowing how to identify the signs of a dental anesthesia allergy and react to the issue at hand is absolutely crucial. In this article, we will discuss the signs of an allergic reaction to dental anesthesia, as well as the responsive steps that should be taken. It is important to note that this is for informational purposes. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction, we recommend consulting a health practitioner.

Safco Dental Supply is proud to be your trusted source for quality dental supplies; we provide a wide range of both injectable anesthetics and topical anesthetics. 

What is an Anesthesia Allergy?

To better understand anesthetic allergies, it is important to first understand what an allergy actually is.

Allergies occur when the immune system fails to recognize a certain substance and creates an overreaction to it in order to “protect” the body. These substances, known as allergens, may range anywhere in nature from pet dander to anesthetic substances. An allergic reaction can range in severity from slight discomfort to life-threatening.

So, can you be allergic to anesthesia? In most cases, a true allergic reaction is extremely rare. In fact, it is currently estimated that just 1% of all reactions that occur during local anesthesia are due to “true” anesthesia allergies.

In most cases, adverse symptoms that are experienced after the use of local anesthesia are typically attributed to an adverse reaction to epinephrine. 

Epinephrine is used in local injections to ensure that the blood vessels constrict, decreasing blood flow to the area and ensuring that the anesthesia is as effective and long-lasting as possible.

Adverse effects or allergic reactions may also occur due to an allergy or sensitivity to:

• Latex
• Sulfites
• Preservatives (such as methylparaben or propylparaben)
• Antioxidants

What are the Symptoms of Having an Allergic Reaction to Dental Anesthesia?

To understand the symptoms of an allergic reaction to anesthesia, you have to know what kind of anesthesia you may have been administered. In most cases, there are two types of anesthetics that may be used for local injections: lidocaine and novocaine. 

Novocaine has been used in dentistry since the early 1900s. For decades, it was the dental industry’s standard numbing agent. While it has proven to be safe and effective in most cases since its introduction, it may sometimes produce side effects such as anxiety, dizziness, allergic reactions (swelling/redness) at the injection site, or restlessness. 

Lidocaine was developed as a successor to novocaine in the late 1940s and is now the most commonly-used dental anesthetic. Lidocaine does not take as long as novocaine to take effect, lasts longer, and produces less risk of side effects. 

While a true allergic reaction to dental anesthetics is rare, they do occur. Below, we will break down the common symptoms of lidocaine and novocaine allergies.

Lidocaine Allergy Symptoms

In the case of an allergic reaction, knowing which symptoms to watch for can help you identify and treat the issue as fast as possible.

Some common allergy to lidocaine symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Anaphylaxis
• Edema
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hyperventilation
• Changes in blood pressure or heart rate
• Unconsciousness
• Sweating
• Urticaria
• Swelling of the tongue, face, and/or lips

Novocaine Allergy Symptoms

In most cases, the local anesthetic reactions that are associated with novocaine are similar to the reactions that are associated with lidocaine. 

Common novocaine anesthesia reactions symptoms include: 

• Anxiety 
• Anaphylaxis
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hyperventilation
• Changes in blood pressure or heart rate
• Unconsciousness
• Sweating
• Urticaria
• Swelling of the tongue, face, and/or lips
• Dizziness
• Swelling/redness at the injection site
• Restlessness

It is important to remain diligent and watch for signs of these symptoms throughout your patient’s visit. Even if symptoms do not appear immediately after injection, some patients may experience a delayed allergic reaction to novocaine or lidocaine.

What Should You Do if You Suspect a Patient Has an Anesthesia Allergy?

If you notice any of the above symptoms after you have administered anesthesia, you may begin to suspect that your patient has a dental anesthesia allergy. In this case, it is best to have a plan in place to manage your patient’s health. 

Below are some actions that may be taken to minimize adverse local anesthetic reactions:

• Encourage the patient to stay as relaxed as possible
• Lower the patient to a supine position with legs elevated to prevent fainting and regulate blood pressure
• Loosen any tight clothing and/or remove tight jewelry around the patient’s neck
• Provide the patient with a glucose drink
• Refer the patient for thorough allergy testing

If a true allergic reaction has been identified, the patient should be referred directly to the allergy clinic inside the hospital. If the patient appears to be exceptionally distressed or is presenting life-threatening symptoms (such as anaphylaxis), they should immediately be transferred to the hospital for emergency treatment. 

Anaphylaxis is typically treated with an injection of epinephrine or antihistamines. Intravenous fluids may be used, as well.

If the direct cause of the symptoms can not be identified with certainty, contact should be made with the hospital to refer the patient and discuss the findings of further investigations.

Ensure that your patient understands the importance of requesting local anesthetic allergy alternatives - such as septocaine or mepivacaine - during any dental work that they receive in the future. An annotation should be made in their chart, as well.

How Safco Keeps Patients a Priority

We know that as a dental professional, the health and safety of your patients is priority number one. Here at Safco Dental Supply, we share your passion and dedication for your patients, as well.

With the information you have learned here, you are now equipped with a solid understanding of how to treat an allergic reaction to lidocaine or novocaine. While allergic reactions to local anesthetics are rare, it is important to have a responsive plan in place.

For high-quality dental products, place your trust in Safco Dental Supply. We provide a wide range of products to fit every need, with free shipping on orders over $250.

We strive to get you your products as fast as possible. All orders placed before 4:30 pm CST (3:30 pm on Friday) are shipped out same-day.

Give us a call at 800.621.2178 to speak with one of our experts.

Most of us take our dental unit suction lines for granted. You turn them on, they suck spit, and off they go because they are noisy. But if your suction goes down, what happens to the office?

Here’s how to get the most from your suction in 5 easy steps

Know your devices

When most clinicians think of suction, they think about the devices they are using intraorally. After all, that’s what’s doing the work, right?

Actually, if your vacuum isn’t working, no device in the world will help you control fluids and aerosols. But we’ll get to that in a second.

There are lots of suction devices on the market. Some are designed to simply control fluids, and others are intended for both fluid and aerosols. Determine your needs. Are you looking for hands-free? Something with a mirror to help with indirect vision? Disposable for better infection control? Or autoclavable for sustainability?

Check your flow

Most offices weren’t designed for every operatory to be running high evacuation suction (HVE). The standard math in determining vacuum size usually accounts for the doctor operatories using HVE and the hygiene rooms using saliva ejectors (LVE). We now know that anyone performing aerosol-generating procedures (AGP) should be using their HVE to control aerosols at their source, the patient’s mouth.

Can your current vacuum handle the added demand? Have your tech or rep come out and perform a flow rate and vacuum assessment. Even if you aren’t quite up to maximum airflow, there are a few things you can do to get the most from your pump.

Traps

First, change your traps. Upon inspection, they might be occluded, affecting the vacuum’s performance for sure, not to mention the added strain on the vacuum.

There are a few traps to look out for. Typically, there are traps in the chair that should be changed weekly, if not more often. They catch all kinds of stuff, from prophy paste to amalgam. Speaking of amalgam, those used traps need to go into your hazardous waste receptacle, not your regular trash.

There is a big trap on the vacuum that catches what the chairside trap does not. This can fill up with a thick sludge and should be changed every two weeks to once a month depending on your vacuum’s instructions for use (IFU) or how fast it fills. It’s worth looking at once a week when you are changing the chair traps.

With the mandate of amalgam separators came yet another trap to check. Most IFUs say to change this trap once a year, but it could fill up in a few months, depending on your office. A full amalgam separator trap is sure to slow down your suction capabilities.

Beware of hidden traps. Sometimes there are filters or traps in the junction box under your chair. Check your IFUs or ask your rep to help you.

Daily maintenance

The key to clean lines is daily maintenance. All lines need to be run daily, if not more often, to clean out anything that might try and stick to the inside of the tubing and affect performance. To get the most from this task, choose a product that is EPA-approved for suction lines. Choosing the wrong product could hurt your lines and vacuum pump.

Use a dispenser to run the lines. A dispenser designed for this task allows for the right amount of air and fluid to enter the lines simultaneously. This helps reduce strain on the vacuum pump and aids in cleaning the inside of the tubing. Run the solution from the operatory farthest from the pump to the closest and preferably at the end of the day.

Change your lines

If you still have the same tubing that came with the practice 30 years ago, it might be time to change the tubing. Over time the suction tubing becomes rigid and no matter how good you are at running your lines, occluded. Thankfully this is an easy and cheap task. There is even ultralight tubing on the market now that is ergonomically friendly.

Caring for suction lines is one more thing on the long list of maintenance tasks in a dental office. We understand now more than ever the importance of controlling aerosols at the source. And well-functioning vacuum system will help keep patients and the dental team more comfortable and safer.

Amanda Hill, RDH, BS has been in the dental industry for over 30 years, she earned her B.S. in Dental Hygiene at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia and has had the opportunity to experience dentistry around the world.   Amanda  has a love for learning and is obsessed with continuing education in all its many forms.  Amanda practices part time clinically and is an industry educator for the nation’s largest dental job board, DentalPost.net.  Amanda is a proud Navy spouse and mom of 3.

Dental Hygiene has long been a misunderstood profession.  In the movies, it’s often the dental hygienist that the antagonist has an affair with or they are portrayed as the flighty best friend.  While all the while we are a well educated, smart, compassionate group of professionals.  When you talk to patients, they often say they stay with their dental office because of the relationship built with the hygienist.  But these same patients will somehow disregard their chronic periodontal disease in favor of teeth whitening.  Is this because they don’t understand that hygienists aren’t just there to catch up on their family happenings make their teeth feel slippery?  Do they not know that hygienists are indeed educated health care professionals that bring a wealth of knowledge on how to help them live longer healthier lives?

It’s time that changed.  There is too much publicly accessible scientific information that proves the mouth is connected to the body and it affects your overall health. But how does that happen without providing each patient a curriculum vitae at the beginning of their next recare appointment?

There’s a YouTube video circulating around social media sites produced by the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists' Association featuring Lisandra Maisonet, RDH, BS, PHDHP that really highlights the modern role of a dental hygienist.  The video has 2 versions, a longer 7-minute piece with a compelling story by Charles Whitney, M.D. about how one of his patients was able to improve their cardiovascular health through periodontal therapy alone and a shorter 3+ minute version that still highlights the impact a dental hygienist can and do make.

The video’s host Lisandra Maisonet says, 

I am so honored to have served in my profession for the past 18 years. During this time, I have seen so many changes, some positive and some negative.

Being a part of many Facebook groups the thing that has impacted me the most are the thousands of hygienists who question their career choice on a daily basis. Initially, I couldn't understand it but as I read the comments and heard their voices, one thing resonated with me. These hygienists just want to be acknowledged for their expertise and for the passion they share when providing care to their patients. They want the world to know that they are not tooth cleaners, but are so much more than this.

This is what drove the making of this video. It was time to educate the world on the value of a dental hygienist, who we are and the difference we can make.

Hygienists didn't want another message or video on the importance of membership, they know the value it can bring. They want to know that they are heard and that someone out there cares to make a difference that can impact their profession, their career.

My prayer is that this video drives the message of our importance! That it drives the message of the importance of visiting your dental hygienist routinely.

Dental offices are often struggling with what information to put on their websites and social media platforms.  This video is the perfect educational tool to show patients.  Think of how this information will help them understand what skills their dental hygienist brings to the office and to their life.  Establishing this value will go a long way toward treatment acceptance, compliance, and improved health.  All the while benefiting not only the practice’s bottom line but the hygienist’s job satisfaction.  And that’s a win-win.