Prophy Jet Air Polishing Technique
What is Air Polishing?
Air polishing is another important tool in our armamentarium. It also helps minimize hand, wrist, neck and eye fatigue like a cavitron tip, by helping to remove stain quicker than scaling and polishing the conventional way.
Air polishing uses a water soluble sodium bicarbonate mixture to help in the removal of stain and plaque during a routine hygiene appointment.
Air polishing is great to help in the removal of stain due to Smoking, coffee, tea, peridex and other extrinsic factors.
Aluminum Trihydroxide is an alternative solution to the sodium bicarbonate for patients the are sodium restricted and have heavily stained enamel. Avoid use on dentin, cementum and restorative restorations it can compromise marginal integrity.
The use a face shield, mask and eye protection for both operator and patient is highly recommended.
Do not confuse Air polishing with air abrasion. Air abrasion is a procedure that removes or roughens the enamel surfaces for restorative procedures.
Technique
1. Check and fill the powder chamber before starting on each patient. Making sure you are using the correct powder. Over the counter sodium bicarbonate will clog your equipment.
2. Turn unit on and adjust the flow of the powder using the dot in the middle of the powder flow cap.
L – for light stain.
H- for heavy stain removal.
3. Wet the o-ring and gently push the jet insert into the handpiece with a twisting motion until fully seated.
4. Lightly coat the patients lips with petroleum jelly to protect them from any aerosol.
5. Center the nozzle tip on the middle one third of the tooth 3-4mm away from the enamel surface while using a continuous circular motion. The closer the tip to the tooth surface the more back spray directed at you.
6. Use a folded paper towel between the patients lip and your hand to contain the aerosol spray and maintain proper angulations to remove stain and plaque without causing trauma to the soft tissues.
Universal angulation’s Recommended for air polishing are:
Anterior 60 degrees with the tip aimed at the middle third of the tooth surface.
Posterior 80 degrees with the tip aim slighly distally.
Occlusal 90 degrees
Do not direct nozzle directly at soft tissue. If any trauma does occur show and tell the patient the location and that it should heal quickly after 24 hours.
Persons fitted with cardiac pacemakers should keep handpiece and cables 9 inches away from pacemaker during use.
