Blow Away Biofilm

With over 5 decades of clinical hygiene experience, Nancy Miller has truly seen it all. Known for her expertise with power instrumentation and other hygiene technology, she’s found the evolution of air polishers fascinating—particularly when it comes to HuFriedyGroup’s new PWR Air therapeutic air polisher.

Move Over, Rubber Cups!

Supporting safe supra- and subgingival biofilm disruption, stain removal, and implant cleaning, the PWR Air also removes interproximal food particles and plaque. “This is not your grandmother’s air polisher—it’s a sophisticated device,” said Miller, comparing the technology behind the PWR Air to the leap from a fl ip phone to a smartphone.

“In my workflow,” she continued, “the PWR Air replaces the rubber cup polisher, which reduces time and expense. My protocol is to air-polish the patient’s teeth first, reaching below the gumline very gently to remove the biofilm and soft deposits. This way, I don’t waste time removing them with an ultrasonic scaler or hand instruments—I save those for hard deposits that the air will not take off.”

With a patient base often presenting with implants and orthodontics, Miller believes hand instruments, scalers, or rubber cup polishers are no match for the effectiveness of the PWR Air, especially for reaching implant collars and threads.

“Nothing in a patient’s mouth is flat, and below the gumline are concavities and small spaces,” she said. “An ultrasonic scaler is never going to be as effective as an air polisher.“

A Gentler Clean

With continuous airflow to reduce clogging, the device offers 3 adjustable power modes and a no-powder function that allows it to act like an air/water syringe. 

A 1-button switch toggles between prophy and perio modes. The PWR Air also includes durable, angled, stainless-steel handpieces— including a dedicated perio option that pairs with disposable, sterile subgingival tips for accessing pockets deeper than 5 mm.

“Older air polishers used 65-. particles, which can sting and cause tissue and restorative damage, but the PWR Air uses particles under 25 ., so it’s gentler,” Miller said. “I also save time using the PWR Air—it’s a pressure washer that quickly blows away the slurry below the gumline. Extra time allows for more patient-appropriate care and education.”