Sheri Suggests -- Highlights from Chicago Midwinter, Part 2

In this occasional series, Dr. Sheri Doniger shares her perspective on various dental instruments, materials, and equipment. These are products Dr. Doniger personally uses or has tested in her practice.

Bosworth Air Polisher

A lightweight, portable, easy-to-use air polisher has just appeared. And it is fantastic. Air polishing utilizes pressurized air and water in a stream along with sodium bicarbonate slurry to effectively polish teeth without trauma. Especially for those heavy smokers, tea drinkers, or even those patients with chlorhexidine stains, the Bosworth Air Polisher effectively removes the stain quickly.

The Bosworth Air Polisher is lightweight and easy to use. Image courtesy of Bosworth.

The Bosworth Air Polisher is lightweight and easy to use. Image courtesy of Bosworth.

The Bosworth Air Polisher is easy to maintain; the nozzle is autoclavable. But portability is one of its best features: You are able to move the unit from the hygiene operatory to the restorative operatory by merely attaching it to your existing tubing.

Bosworth also has three great powder flavors (orange, spearmint, and grape) to please any age patient. Our patients love the orange flavor. Even though the powder is a sodium bicarbonate, it does not leave a salty taste after rinsing. An ergonomic alternative to prophy cups and paste, the Bosworth Air Polishing handpiece is great addition to any dental office armamentarium.

"This unit offers chairside convenience for quick and gentle patient care," said Nicole Moreno, Bosworth marketing manager. "No installation is needed, and the unit connects easily to existing water and air tubing, making the unit the perfect air polisher for the busy dental office!"

Discus Dental Zen

The Zen cordless, portable prophy unit. Image courtesy of Discus Dental

The Zen cordless, portable prophy unit. Image courtesy of Discus Dental

The Zen (Discus Dental) is a truly genius cordless, portable prophy unit. This lightweight handpiece does heavy duty on plaque and stain removal. It is a great ergonomic addition to any operatory. The lithium battery-operated Zen comes with a wireless rheostat foot petal, to eliminate the cord from your operatory unit, alleviating the drag or additional weight from the cord. The operator is free to move the unit from operatory to operatory or from one side of the chair to the other, without the hassle or limited length of cords. Infection control is a snap with the autoclavable barrier shells and disposable angles.

Based on the freedom of the cordless LED curing lights, the Zen features a well-balanced handpiece to prevent hand fatigue and any undue pressure. For patients, it sounds less like an ordinary slow speed, a plus on the relaxation side. It is a great ergonomic addition to any operatory.

Zen features an ergonomically balanced design that reduces wrist and hand fatigue, and a wireless rheostat that can be placed anywhere ensuring your whole body is in a neutral, natural alignment and the freedom to move around the operatory or anywhere, according to Mark Gersh, director of global marketing for Discus Dental.

What could be better?

Premiere Traxodent

Thinking about getting away from retraction cord? Premier Traxodent (Premier Dental) is a quick, easy way to eliminate the cord and still achieve a great impression.

The Traxodent Hemodent paste retraction system. Image courtesy of Premiere.

The Traxodent Hemodent paste retraction system. Image courtesy of Premiere.

Utilizing Hemodent paste that is composed of an absorbent clay, the material is easily dispensed around the sulcus via a bendable tip. Used with or without the gingival retraction cap, the material stays in place and is not runny. Aluminum chloride is used as an astringent. In less than three minutes, you have a dry, clear field -- perfect for use for moisture control and homeostasis prior to impressions, composites, or cementation of permanent veneer restorations.

Premier Traxodent is also great after sulcular laser troughing. Easy to use, clean impressions, higher levels of postoperative comfort: all without a cord and the mess.

"The versatility of Traxodent makes it highly effective for all your tissue management challenges," said John Whitner, marketing manager for Premier Dental. "Traxodent comes loaded in an ergonomic disposable syringe, so there are no cumbersome guns or cartridges."

Sheri Doniger, DDS, practices clinical dentistry in Lincolnwood, IL. She has served as an educator in several dental and dental hygiene programs, has been a consultant for a major dental benefits company, and has written for several dental publications. You can reach her at [email protected].

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.