Biosonic Piezoelectric, Lmergo Access, Orthogami

by Kim Miller, RDH, BSDH

I think the SUVI Elite is a sweet little combo unit featuring piezoclectric ultrasonic scaling and air polishing. Made by Coltene, this tabletop unit is about the size of a toaster. It looks great on the counter with clean lines and a state-of-the-art design. Both the scaling and polishing handpieces have six LED lights to enhance visibility in the work area. The soft, blue silicone handpiece sleeves are comfortable, autoclavable, and easy to use. I really liked the overall ergonomics and comfort of the handpiece.

Coltene offers a large selection of tip designs to meet treatment needs during a prophy, non-surgical perio therapy, perio maintenance, or implant maintenance procedure. The quick disconnect irrigation bottle and powder chamber make it easy to replace or refill them as needed. The tip wrenches are ergonomically designed and comfortable to use. In particular, I really liked the following features of the Suvi:

• Water control on handpiece rather than on unit makes adjusting water flow easy.
• Foot pedal slide controls power from 0-100%, irrigation mode, and illumination.
• Automatic cleaning function for scaler and polisher. This is an essential feature on an ultrasonic unit.

If you're shopping for a new ultrasonic or air polishing unit, here's an opportunity to get both technologies in one great unit. The Suvi is also available without air polishing in the Premier model -- a multipurpose device used for scaling as well as endodontic and restorative procedures. Check out both Suvi products at mybiosonic.com.

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Other articles by Kim Miller:

• CAMBRA Codes, Elevate Oral Care, Durashield Varnish
• Air Polishing, Pregnant Patients, and Keeping 'Warm'
• Oral health tools for tots

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The LMErgo instruments, with their revolutionary handle design, are in a class all their own. The curved handle fits naturally into the hand, allowing easy access in those difficult to reach areas, posteriors, and linguals. The H-Scalers have delicate elliptical blades designed for effective sub- and supragingival calculus removal. These small bladed instruments improve access in deep narrow pockets and on concave root surfaces. If you "do perio," you're going to love these instruments.

LM Dental is one of the fastest growing manufacturers of hand instruments in Europe and the market leader in the Nordic countries. Their products are produced in Scandinavia and feature their unique, lightweight, nonslip grip silicone handles.

I can recommend the Micro Sickle ErgoAccess instrument. You should also give the H-Scalers I and II ErgoAccess a try. Visit their website at www.lm-dental.com to check out the variety of instruments available.

The new ORTHOgami flossing kit by GumChucks was designed specifically with your ortho patients in mind. ORTHOgami is fun and so easy to use that product testers found they could floss the entire mouth, with braces, in under two minutes.

The unique and innovative tip design allows the floss to slip easily under the ortho wire so the user can make the required C shape for the best flossing results. The handles provide improved control while keeping the floss taunt making flossing easier without putting hands in the mouth. The floss and toss disposable tips make all the GumChucks flossing systems easy, clean, and hygienic.

ORTHOgami and Gum Chucks starter kits include two handles, 10 tips, a travel case, and trading card for a retail price of $9.95. Refill kits are available, containing six sets of 10 tips (60 tips total) for a retail price of $12.95. Check out the designer handles when you visit www.gumchucks.com, or call (855) 424-8257.

EMS Hammer Head Suction Mirror

While supplies last, EMS Dental Designs is offering special pricing on the Hammer Head suction mirror. Right now, you can get two suction mirrors with the new silicone hoses for only $225. Now is the time for the best prices. This is an unadvertised special, so it will not be on their website. Call Laura at EMS, and they will process your order over the phone at (425) 584-7206 seven days a week or (206) 380-3302 direct.

As always, email me and let me know what products you like to use? What is the one thing you could not work without? Do you use any time saving or ergonomic products you'd like to share with your colleagues? Let me know and I'll include them in an upcoming column. [email protected]

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].