Product Evaluation

PRACTICON

Cool Cassette Instrument Container

Staying true to its name, the Cool Cassette Instrument Container offers a cool, easy-to-use alternative to metal cassettes

A dentist with 21 years of experience said, "My staff really liked this product because we could put more instruments in it than the similar sized [product offered from another manufacturer], and it was more forgiving to the instruments. This would prevent accidental breakage of the instruments." Eleven dentists and dental hygienists who participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation agreed that Practicon's Cool Cassette Instrument Container is better than similar products offered by other manufacturers.

According to Practicon, the Cool Cassette Instrument Container is the first flexible silicone instrument container, and is a cool, safe, light, and quiet alternative to metal cassettes. The container is available in Clean Green, Pure Purple, or True Blue colors, and it is sterilizable to 375°.

A mix of 16 dentists and dental hygienists with a total of 407 years of experience in dentistry participated in this evaluation of the Cool Cassette Instrument Container. Each evaluator used 3 sizes and 3 color options in-office for 4 consecutive weeks. They then rated and commented on several product features, including ease of use, heat dissipation, and sizing/colors.

Ease of Use

Manufacturer Description: The Cool Cassette Instrument Container is easy to open, and snap-on lids "peel off" easily, yet hold securely. Two safety bands add extra security when storing the containers on their sides. The container is compact?lids stack underneath to reduce tray workspace requirements. Additionally, interior instrument saddles can be cut with scissors to accommodate large-handled instruments. The container holds instruments up to 7 1/8-in long.

Evaluator Feedback: Thirteen evaluators rated Cool Cassette Instrument Container's ease of use as excellent or very good, and 7 clinicians rated ease of use as their favorite product feature.

A dental hygienist with 31 years of experience said, "The cassettes were very easy to handle. The instruments stayed in place." A second dental hygienist added, "I liked the snap-on lids; they were very easy to use." Both evaluators said the container is much better than similar products offered by other manufacturers.

Several evaluators commented on the container's functionality. An evaluator from Bellingham, WA, said, "I really liked the ability to stack/nest the pieces. The container required less tray space that way." A second evaluator added, "I like the fact that you can customize the cassette by cutting with scissors to accommodate the large handled instruments."

Heat Dissipation

Manufacturer Description: The Cool Cassette Instrument Container's solid silicone construction dissipates heat faster than steel for a quick removal from the autoclave.

Evaluator Feedback: Fourteen evaluators rated the product?s heat dissipation as excellent or very good. A hygienist who has been in practice for 33 years said, "The heat dissipation is by far the best part." An evaluator from North Hollywood, CA, added, "They work well and you can touch them immediately?no additional tool is needed to remove them from the autoclave." Both evaluators rated overall satisfaction with the product as excellent.

Sizing/Colors

Manufacturer Description: The Cool Cassette Instrument Container is color-coded for operatory or instrument set-ups. Lighter than steel cassettes, the container has no sharp edges that can tear gloves and pouches or injure hands.

Evaluator Feedback: An evaluator from Portage, MI, said, "I liked the size and ease of opening." A second evaluator said, "The colors are bright and cheerful and can be color-coded for either treatment room or type of service provided (i.e. exam pack, perio, operative, endo, etc.)" A third evaluator said, "Many patients commented on the vivid colors. Not only do the cassettes work great, but they look great too."

When asked how the product could be improved, one evaluator said, "We found it much too large for our needs," and another evaluator said, "I would like to see more sizing options." This evaluator rated his overall satisfaction with the product as excellent and said he would definitely recommend it to colleagues.

Overall Satisfaction

When asked to rate their overall satisfaction with the Cool Cassette Instrument Container, 14 evaluators rated it excellent or very good. A dentist with 29 years of experience in dentistry said, "Cool Cassette Instrument Container provides an excellent option for offices that need a quick turnover for instruments."