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    1. Dentistry

    One of my favorite things right now: AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master

    Oct. 6, 2020
    Dr. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz shares her thoughts on the new tool from EMS Dental she calls a game changer in dental hygiene at her practice.

    It is increasingly evident that the connection between oral health and general health is profound. In fact, I recently learned in a training seminar that there are over 170 systemic conditions linked to oral bacteria. As dental professionals, we have the opportunity to reduce the risk of exacerbating inflammatory mediators and systemic disease by disrupting oral biofilm. The AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master from EMS Dental is a system consisting of supra and subgingival air polishing and calculus removal using a piezoelectric scaler. This system has many innovations that result in effective and efficient biofilm removal, while offering the patient an exceptional experience, including:

  • Education for clinicians. The Swiss Dental Academy offers dental practitioners an extensive selection of webinars to provide education about the science behind guided biofilm therapy (GBT) and resources for using their technology.
    • Motivation for patients. Last week, I discussed the benefits of bringing a disclosing agent into the practice. Disclosing agents serve multiple
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    purposes, including demonstrating areas that require improvement in homecare practices for patients. Additionally, clinicians can identify where biofilm is present, so targeted biofilm removal therapies can be employed.
  • Subgingival polishing. You may have an air polisher, but that doesn’t mean it’s indicated for subgingival use. The AIRFLOW has supra and subgingival capabilities. In addition, there is an additional attachment, PERIOFLOW, that facilitates subgingival biofilm disruption in pockets deeper than 4mm and is safe for use around implants. 
    • Erythritol powder. Erythritol powder has been shown to safely and effectively remove biofilm and surface stains. This is a fine powder; it can be used on tooth surfaces, restorations and implants safely. 
  • Piezon. The piezon that is a component of AIRFLOW Prophylaxis master is ergonomic and contains a warmer in the handpiece, so that water is gently warmed before it enters a patient’s oral cavity. Patients find calculus removal to be more comfortable than ever.

    • This system has been a gamechanger in my dental hygiene room since its arrival. Training was phenomenal, and we all felt prepared for patient care and maintenance of the equipment. Patients appreciate how thorough their hygiene visits are and appreciate education about the oral and systemic benefits of biofilm removal.

    It has become more evident than ever that dental care is essential; many patients are overdue for their routine dental hygiene care, and it seems that there is an increased need for nonsurgical periodontal procedures, restorative dentistry, and occlusal devices for bruxism. The AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master has allowed my office to practice at the highest standard of care and patients are healthier because of this technology.

    Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Through the Loupes newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles at this link and subscribe here.

    PAMELA MARAGLIANO-MUNIZ, DMD, is the chief editor of DentistryIQ. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano-Muniz began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano-Muniz owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics.