Introducing Premier Dental’s AeroPro™ Cordless Prophy Handpiece System
By: Jason H. Goodchild, DMD
Coronal polishing is a routine and expected part of the prophylaxis visit. To accomplish this procedure numerous times each workday requires that hygienists have a high quality prophy handpiece. Historically very few options existed for clinicians: either an air-driven slow speed motor with a straight nose cone, a dedicated air-driven prophy handpiece, or an electric cordless prophy handpiece.
The air-driven solutions can offer higher prophy cup speeds, but are decidedly unergonomic mainly because of weight, cord drag and tubing torque. Coupled with static posture, precise and repetitive motions, and long work hours, these factors can contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among clinicians. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dentists and dental hygienists ranges from 64-93%, with prolonged static postures and repetitive movements listed as the key risk factors.1,2 More concerning, dental hygienists seem to be at disproportionate risk for MSDs compared to dentists with a study showing 67% of dentists and 86% of dental hygienists reporting MSD pain.3 Focusing on hand and wrist pain, the same study reported a higher prevalence of hand pain in hygienists compared to dentists, 75% versus 38% respectively.
Modern air-driven prophy handpieces have become lighter and more ergonomically shaped, but the tethering of an air cord can still increase pinch force and muscle workload, and ultimately lead to operator fatigue. So, is it time to consider a cordless prophy handpiece? The latest generation of cordless prophy handpieces are designed to address these ergonomic challenges but also address earlier concerns of battery life and power.4
Introducing the AeroPro Corldess Prophy Handpiece System
Based on extensive input from dental professionals, Premier Dental recently introduced the AeroPro™ Cordless Prophy Handpiece System. The AeroPro™ system was engineered to provide clinicians with greater mobility, choice, and control; further helping to prevent symptoms of hand and wrist fatigue and to provide a better polishing experience for both operator and patient.
Compatible with most commonly available disposable prophy angles, AeroPro™ allows the angle to be easily rotated 360° for improved intraoral access. From Premier’s website, AeroPro™ is “ergonomic and lightweight with a well-balanced design, featuring a textured grip for reduced pinch strength and hand fatigue.” It is controlled using a single button, allowing the operator to easily access the most appropriate prophy cup speed for the procedure. AeroPro’s speeds range from 500-2800 rpm. This reduced speed compared to corded prophy headpieces (maximum rpm of 5000-6000) may be helpful in reducing the chance of overheating the tooth, causing iatrogenic pulp damage, and abrading the tooth.4-6
AeroPro™ is equipped with ChargeSMART™ Battery Technology. This innovative induction charging system powers AeroPro’s battery quickly and safely and ensures a long-lasting charge that lasts through a busy workday. It is tested to provide sufficient battery life for completion of a minimum of ten coronal polishing procedures on a full charge, and can be easily placed back on the charging base between patients if additional battery life is needed.
AeroPro™’s convenient infection prevention protocol is FDA-cleared and CDC-compliant. The motor component is isolated by a custom-fit disposable polyethylene barrier and covered by a durable, metal outer sheath. After use the metal sheath is removed, cleaned, and autoclaved, while the motor component is disinfected using a CDC intermediate level disinfectant.
Conclusions
Appreciating that an effective dental hygiene program is an integral component of a successful dental practice and comprehensive patient care, hygienists deserve clinical equipment that can reduce muscle workload and duration. By doing so, hygienists can stay healthier and provide better patient care. Cordless prophy handpieces have evolved to offer clinical performance with the added advantages of portability, convenience, and no cord drag. It is time to consider this meaningful innovation over corded predecessors to provide a worthwhile handpiece upgrade for the safe and ergonomic delivery of hygiene care.
References:
- Hayes MJ, Cockrell D, Smith DR. A systematic review of musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals. Int J Dent Hyg. 2009;3:159-65.
- Padhye NM, Padhye AM, Gupta HS. Effect of pre-procedural chair-side finger stretches on pinch strength amongst dental cohort – a biomechanical study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 Apr;11(4):ZC82-ZC85.
- Rucker LM, Sunell S. Ergonomic risk factors associated with clinical dentistry. Can Dent Assoc J. 2002;30(2):139-146.
- Christensen GJ. Continued advancements in cordless prophy handpeices. Clinicians Report – Hygiene Report 2019;12(1):1-2.
- Nield-Gehrig JS. Supplementary Instrumentation. In: Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation & Advanced Root Instrumentation. 2008. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA. p596.
- Christensen GJ. Prophy pastes: helpful and harmful. Clinicians Report 2018;11(6):1-6.
