Aerosol and splatter contamination from the operative site during ultrasonic scaling.
As concern about indoor air quality increases, attention is being placed on the aerosol and splatter produced during dental procedures. This study quantifies the contamination produced by ultrasonic scalers during in vitro scaling without coolant water. When compared with the handheld curette used as a control, all ultrasonic scalers and tips tested produced significant aerosol and splatter regardless of the type of scaler, the power level or the insert. The ADA-recommended method for controlling contaminated aerosol and splatter is the use of a large-bore high-volume evacuator. This study supports the ADA recommendation of use of a high-volume evacuator whenever ultrasonic scaling is performed.
Harrel
S K
SK
Baylor College of Dentistry, TAMUS, Dallas, USA.
Barnes
J B
JB
Rivera-Hidalgo
F
F
D000336:Aerosols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004396:Coloring Agents; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019793:Fluorescein; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013357:Subgingival Curettage / Q000295:instrumentation; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D014867:Water
D000336:Aerosols; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004396:Coloring Agents; D014867:Water; D019793:Fluorescein