NSK Seeks to Keep Clinicians and Patients Safe
A major focus for dental practices since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold has been to reduce the risk of air contamination through aerosol production. In fact, most practices have made some major adjustments to their equipment and routines in an effort to keep the air clean and safe.
But how can we know the extent of the aerosol being generated in a given procedure, or whether one produces less than another? Well, check out this video from NSK Dental, which uses a laser-light demonstration to show the extent of aerosol production during a dental procedure—one with an air turbine and another with a contra-angle handpiece. The conclusion is irrefutable: the contra-angle creates far less aerosol. Moreover, the electric or micromotor-driven handpiece is the best bet to reduce the risk of exposure to airborne viruses.
When it comes to safety, the Ti-Max Z45L from NSK may take the cake. This electric handpiece minimizes aerosol generation even further by incorporating a quick and easy way to cut without “chip air” in the water line. A jet spray prevents air from entering soft tissues during surgical procedures, while a mist spray effectively cools the bur while cutting. One of our Dental Product Shopper evaluators can attest to this safety measure. “To reduce aerosols, I have been routinely turning off the air while drilling without a rubber dam,” said Dr. Eric Van Zytveld, who uses a Ti-Max handpiece at his practice in Denver, CO.
Dual Defense Infection Control
As it turns out, NSK has for decades sought to keep dental professionals and their patients safe by incorporating infection control technology in their handpieces. The company’s Clean Head System (below, left) is built into every NSK handpiece to prevent oral fluids and contaminants from entering the handpiece head and exhaust line. And the Anti-Retraction Valve (below, right) has since 1987 been incorporated into the coupler or electric micromotor to prevent suck-back of contaminants into the handpiece waterline. Together, these 2 technologies make up NSK's Dual Defense System—designed to protect patients and dental teams from the spread of harmful contaminants in the operatory.
But do these measures really work to keep everyone safer? Well, don’t take it from me or even from NSK. Well-known universities, including the University of Washington, Umeå University in Sweden, and the National University of Singapore, have researched the effectiveness of the Dual Defense System. One of the most compelling conclusions was that—after evaluating 3 handpiece brands for evidence of suck-back into the head—new NSK handpieces and those used in practice for 2 years yielded a turbine space free of contaminants.
You can learn more about these studies and NSK’s proprietary infection control measures in their Evidence Book.
The bottom line: If you’re looking to minimize the possibility of air contamination and promote a safer environment for both doctor and patient, consider working with a trusted pioneer in patient safety.