Dental health has improved dramatically with falling rates of tooth decay and attention has now shifted to the needs of an ageing population, with an increased emphasis upon aesthetics – that is, having a full set of sparkling white teeth. Therefore, dental technologists spend much of their time in the lab creating cosmetic dental prostheses such as crowns and implants. This work creates dust and chemical fumes. Without proper protection, exposure to these may risk the health of the dental technologist.
An advance in adhesive dentistry has resulted in sandblasting, to increases micro-retention, being performed as a routine procedure. Instead of wearing a path from the patient’s chair to the office lab to clean excess cement from a patient’s temporary or loosened permanent crown ,or for sandblasting the fitting surface of a crown, bridge inlay or veneer, the procedure is a half- turn away, thanks to the new breed of sandblasters and hookup options.
The uninterrupted patient/doctor exchange is especially beneficial with anxious adult patients – no need to cut the reassuring golf story short for a trip down the hall, leaving the patient alone. Standard hookup kits allow, with a simple male disconnect, access to the dental unit’s air source through the female port. Many dentists have sandblasters with quick disconnects in every operatory, and these space- efficient wonders tuck easily into a drawer.
Dental laboratory equipment–sandblasters are used to increase bond strength by divesting the casting investment and increasing effective surface area as well as polishing the surface of castings. Sandblasters that are used in dental laboratories are enclosed and often operate through a vacuum or via air compressor. Dental laboratory sandblasters are operated via foot pedal and often feature gloves to work through, this keeps everything contained. Sandblasting media can be Aluminum Oxide, glass beads or Silicone Carbide grit. Be sure to choose a dental laboratory sandblaster that employs proper dust retraction.
Dental sandblasters can also be intraoral and used in dental operatories. Also referred to as air abrasion, dental sandblasters can be used instead of dental drills in various procedures. Intraoral dental sandblasters have a variety of angled tips allowing the technician to reach any part of the mouth. These tips should be autoclavable. Be sure that if a product is used intraorally, that it is FDA approved.