BYKIM MILLER, RDH, BSDH
I always appreciate it when manufacturers offer a new "spin" (pun intended) on a product we use every day. I'm pleased to discuss seven new options in prophy angles this month:
• Butler Prophyciency prophy angle, which comes in two different options
• Waterpik Gel-Grip prophy angles in five different options.
You might be asking yourself what could possibly be new in prophy angles? Read on. You just might be surprised.
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Other articles by Miller
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Butler Prophyciency
The new Butler Prophyciency prophy angle was introduced at the annual ADA meeting in San Antonio, Texas, in October. This revolutionary prophy angle features built-in, stain-removing agents incorporated into a flexible flower shaped cup called the ButlerBloom contouring cup. The cup "petals" easily adapt and contour to all tooth surfaces during the polishing procedure.
Since no prophy paste is required, you may experience a more efficient and less messy polishing procedure, saving you both time and money. According to the manufacturer, this technology provides the clinician with better visibility due to virtually no splatter, offering both the patient and the clinician an overall more satisfying polishing experience.
This innovative prophy angle comes in two versions:
• Polish, which provides thorough supragingival biofilm removal using the ButlerBloom contouring cup for patients who have little or no staining.
• Clean & Polish, which features additional polishing and stain removing agents incorporated into the ButlerBloom contouring cup.
During independent testing at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) results showed that the Clean & Polish version removed significantly more stains than the leading brand of prophy angle used with the leading brand of prophy paste. In an in-office use test, nearly 1,000 patients and about 75% of dental professionals agreed that the new Butler Prophyciency prophy angle with the ButlerBloom contouring cup would be beneficial to their polishing procedure and patient care.
Specifically, here's what your colleagues found beneficial when using the Butler Prophyciency prophy angle:
• No need to go back and forth to reload prophy paste into the cup
• Patients do not require as much rinsing; both professionals and patients in the study agreed this saved time
• Clean up was faster
• There was less mess
In addition, 78% of patients in the same study said they were satisfied with and preferred the Butler Prophyciency prophy angle when compared to traditional polishing with prophy paste. Also, 87% of patients liked the "less messy, no splatter" experience, and 85% agreed there was no grit left behind after polishing.
Since many patients have undergone cosmetic dentistry, I asked Evelina Leece, senior marketing manager at Sunstar, if the ButlerBloom was safe for these types of materials. Here's what she said: "Although we don't have specific testing on porcelain, specifically esthetic types, we would recommend using the Polish only version if you are currently using fine paste in order to polish those areas. If you don't use a prophy cup and paste combination and use toothpaste, for example, you should instead continue that practice."
Why not try the prophy angle for yourself by visiting www.prophyciency.com to order samples.
Waterpik Gel-Grip
Upgrade your prophy experience by taking the new Waterpik Gel-Grip prophy angle out for a test drive. According to the manufacturer, this new soft grip design reduces the clinicians' fatigue and soreness while increasing tactile response and precision control. Designed with an optimized angle for better reach, posterior sites are easier to access. The cup is smooth running and vibration free resulting in less fatigue for the clinician and a better experience for the patient.
The Waterpik Gel-Grip prophy angle comes in five cup designs:
• Soft natural rubber
• Firm natural rubber
• Soft latex-free
• Waterpik Wizard soft cup and brush combination
• Tapered brush
The five cup styles are available through dental distributors in 200-count boxes for the natural rubber and latex-free cup versions, and 100-count for the tapered brush style. Water Pik, Inc. is offering a trial pack through its website, professional.waterpik.com, or by calling (800) 525-2020.
In addition, did you know that the WaterPik Aquarius Water Flosser now comes in four new designer colors? White with chrome, pink, teal, and black. I think any one of these new colors of the water flossers would make an excellent Christmas gift. As we approach the end of the year, perhaps you could encourage your patients who suffer from gingivitis or periodontitis and have a Flex Spending Account (FSA) to submit the cost of their Waterpik Water Flosser to their administrator for reimbursement. You can download a Medical Necessity form from www.professional.waterpik.com website under the News and Events tab.
As always, contact me, [email protected] about your favorite products. I'd love to feature them in my column. Happy Holidays! RDH
KIM MILLER, RDH, BSDH, is the co-founder of PerioFrogz.com, an information-based website providing free current oral-systemic research summaries and patient education downloads. Kim is also a coach with Inspired Hygiene, delivering customized hands-on training. She speaks internationally, writes articles and webinars, and enjoys clinical dental hygiene. Kim lives in Arizona and welcomes you to contact her at [email protected].
