Aerosol and splatter contamination from the operative site during ultrasonic scaling

J Am Dent Assoc. 1998 Sep;129(9):1241-9. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.1998.0421.

Abstract

As concern about indoor air quality increases, attention is being placed on the aerosol and splatter produced during dental procedures. This study quantifies the contamination produced by ultrasonic scalers during in vitro scaling without coolant water. When compared with the handheld curette used as a control, all ultrasonic scalers and tips tested produced significant aerosol and splatter regardless of the type of scaler, the power level or the insert. The ADA-recommended method for controlling contaminated aerosol and splatter is the use of a large-bore high-volume evacuator. This study supports the ADA recommendation of use of a high-volume evacuator whenever ultrasonic scaling is performed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols / adverse effects*
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / adverse effects*
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / adverse effects*
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / prevention & control
  • Coloring Agents
  • Dental Scaling / adverse effects*
  • Dental Scaling / instrumentation
  • Equipment Design
  • Fluorescein
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Subgingival Curettage / instrumentation
  • Suction / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonic Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Ultrasonic Therapy / instrumentation
  • Water

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Coloring Agents
  • Water
  • Fluorescein