As many endodontists realize ASI is one of the few companies
internationally that provide ergonomic delivery of myriad instruments from
numerous manufacturers. ASI does this in the form of integrated delivery carts,
delivery units and other preferences such as over-the-patient and cabinet
mounted systems. These ASI delivery systems can be positioned from either side
of the patient or at rear delivery depending on the clinician's preference. One
of the most important stress reducing innovations is the ergonomic delivery of
various components utilizing a SINGLE FOOT CONTROL. Wow! In my opinion, with
this innovation there is a major reduction in the stress level each time a
clinician picks up a different instrument but still uses the SAME FOOT CONTROL.
This to me is a major breakthrough in terms of efficiency. These instruments
are placed in a readily available position that does not require a staff member
to go to another part of the office to move to the new required place of
intended use.
ASI has developed a reliable method to deliver two
ultrasonic handpieces from one module off their delivery carts and units. ASI's Dual Ultrasonic Control Panel
features a digital display that allows you to select the power level most
appropriate for operation of the ultrasonic tip. Each ultrasonic handpiece has
four memory positions that can be programmed to 1-100 unique power settings. The panel is placed in the dashboard of the delivery unit
which allows the clinician to easily see what the power intensity setting is
for a given ultrasonic handpiece as well as which handpiece that power relates
to. This innovative instrument instantaneously allows the endodontic
clinician specific advantages that traditional analog versions do not.
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At least two different ultrasonic tips can be
utilized during the same procedure without the need to either change tips or
ultrasonic handpieces. In addition, a clinician could have additional tips
available if the procedure dictated having additional handpieces available with
different tips. This can save the clinician and staff valuable treatment chair
time. While sometimes it may be only a few moments the minutes and seconds do
add up and the patient appreciates anything that we can do to reduce the
patient chair time.
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Utilization of Dual Ultrasonics controls on an
ASI delivery unit also allows the endodontic clinician to preset different
amounts of ultrasonic energy to a given tip even prior to the inception of the
procedure. For example a very small ultrasonic tip may operate most efficiently
with the power at a very low setting while a larger more robust tip may operate
most efficiently with a higher power setting. Setting these energy power levels
even before the patient is in the chair can be both efficient and cost
effective. A well trained staff member can not only set up the ultrasonics but
with the proper coaching can even set the initial energy levels to start the
intended procedure. Not only can this save valuable chair time but can save
monies because too much energy to an ultrasonic tip can either result in
breakage or a shorter life for the instrument. And many of us know that there
is truly a "sweet spot" where ultrasonics operate most efficiently and safely. This
can often only be found by the experienced endodontic clinician most familiar
with the intimacy of microsonics.
There are many procedures where dual ultrasonics can improve
performance and efficiency. A simple example of a two-tip procedure might be
the removal of a post. Sometimes it is advantageous to use a small ultrasonic
tip to remove a post luting agent like composite and then utilize a larger tip,
like a paddle tip, for application of higher, more gross ultrasonic energy. Not
only does the dual ultrasonic handpiece control allow a clinician to use two
different tips concomitantly but also he/she can use these tips at different
energy levels depending on the tip activity, manufacturer's recommendations and
intended use.
Another area where the Dual Ultrasonics can really come in
handy is refinement of an endodontic access cavity when ultrasonics is being
utilized. Sometimes it is the strategic removal of tenacious pulp stones or
troughing an isthmus in evaluation of the presence of a middle mesial in a
lower molar where more than one ultrasonic tip can allow your endodontic spelunking
to simply be more efficient. More than one ultrasonic tip can be very useful for
careful, safe, vision-enhanced exploration of an area looking for the sometimes-elusive
MBII.
The examples listed here are just a few of the many areas in
clinical dentistry and endodontics where multiple ultrasonics tips used
synergistically can make a difference. As more clinical procedures are done
with ultrasonics and more tips are developed, the advantages of having dual
ultrasonics delivered ergonomically will undoubtedly increase.
Whether it be a relatively
simple ultrasonic procedure or a more complex one there is little doubt that
more than one ultrasonic tip ready to use and set at the proper energy level can
allow the procedure to take less time and be more cost effective in the
process.
