Dr. Beck: How can the use of high-quality products and instrumentation increase overall office productivity and ROI?
O'Connor: High-quality products and instruments bring more value to a dental practice, and contribute to lower overall costs because they require less frequent instrument replacement, offer greater durability, and higher practitioner satisfaction. When clinicians are working with ergonomic, efficient instruments, they are more comfortable and productive. When the dental team has access to the instruments they need in order to accomplish their clinical objectives, and can do so in an effective, efficient way, this will contribute to higher staff retention.
All of these factors impact patient satisfaction and referrals. If a patient has a comfortable experience, realizes the benefits of their treatment, and knows that their dental office is using the most advanced technology and procedures, they are more likely to follow through with proper home care, regular visits, and recommending the practice to others.
Dr. Beck: Technology in periodontal instrumentation has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. With the availability of multiple methods of biofilm removal, what are your current thoughts on a protocol to provide an effective, time-efficient, and comfortable dental prophylaxis?
O'Connor: As a clinician, being able to select the right mix of instruments and technology for the specific clinical need is critical. It allows for more tailored treatment planning and helps ensure time is used efficiently.
Recognizing this, along with the importance of biofilm management in periodontal disease prevention, Hu-Friedy offers three components to reimagine prophylaxis protocol: Air-flow therapy, piezo power scaling, and hand scaling instrumentation.
These choices are important because each offers unique advantages, making them ideal for different clinical situations. Clinicians can then determine which combination of the three solutions works best, given the presenting state of the patient. At Hu-Friedy, we are committed to delivering the most advanced products available in each category.
Dr. Beck: Given that, what would you recommend for patients with heavy staining?
O'Connor: This is a perfect example of a situation where all three options could come into play. Our Air-flow units with Classic and Classic Comfort powders (sodium bicarbonate) are extremely effective for supragingival heavy stain removal. Using Air-flow first can easily remove the majority of the stain before scaling even begins. Then follow up with Piezon technology to remove any calculus deposits. Depending on the individual patient needs, a final step of hand scaling for difficult-to-reach areas and fine scaling could be beneficial.
Dr. Beck: How about patients with excellent home care, requiring mostly just biofilm removal, rather than heavy calculus deposits?
O'Connor: This would be a great opportunity to use our Air-flow technology alone, using Classic Comfort powder for supragingival biofilm removal. Since biofilm management is equally important subgingivally, a clinician could choose to use our Air-flow and Perio-flow units with a finer glycine Perio powder both supra and subgingivally.
Dr. Beck: In your opinion, what are the benefits of piezo scaling compared to the traditional magneto technology?
O'Connor: While the choice is a matter of clinician preference, piezoelectric scalers offer greater comfort because of the precise tip movement and smoother contact with the tooth surface. Piezo technology is also quieter, which further enhances the overall experience for both patient and clinician.
The dynamic power regulation in the premium Hu-Friedy EMS Piezon units automatically increases power when it senses heavier calculus deposits. This allows the unit to be used on a lower power setting during treatment, since it will adjust to increased power only as needed, making it more comfortable for the patient. And as we all know, creating an atmosphere of comfort in your practice is one of the keys to patient retention.
Dr. Beck: In your opinion, what are the indications and benefits of air polishing?
O'Connor: Air polishing accomplishes biofilm and stain removal efficiently and ergonomically for the clinician. It is incredibly versatile in that it can be used for a range of preventive procedures, and our Air-flow line also offers the advantage of providing both subgingival and supragingival biofilm disruption.
