Characterization and mitigation of aerosols and spatters from ultrasonic scalers.
J Am Dent Assoc
; 152(12): 981-990, 2021 12.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1415159
Preprint
This scientific journal article is probably based on a previously available preprint. It has been identified through a machine matching algorithm, human confirmation is still pending.
See preprint
This scientific journal article is probably based on a previously available preprint. It has been identified through a machine matching algorithm, human confirmation is still pending.
See preprint
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Dental procedures often produce aerosols and spatter, which have the potential to transmit pathogens such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The existing literature is limited.METHODS:
Aerosols and spatter were generated from an ultrasonic scaling procedure on a dental manikin and characterized via 2 optical imagingmethods:
digital inline holography and laser sheet imaging. Capture efficiencies of various aerosol mitigation devices were evaluated and compared.RESULTS:
The ultrasonic scaling procedure generated a wide size range of aerosols (up to a few hundred µm) and occasional large spatter, which emit at low velocity (mostly < 3 m/s). Use of a saliva ejector and high-volume evacuator (HVE) resulted in overall reductions of 63% and 88%, respectively, whereas an extraoral local extractor (ELE) resulted in a reduction of 96% at the nominal design flow setting.CONCLUSIONS:
The study results showed that the use of ELE or HVE significantly reduced aerosol and spatter emission. The use of HVE generally requires an additional person to assist a dental hygienist, whereas an ELE can be operated hands free when a dental hygienist is performing ultrasonic scaling and other operations. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS An ELE aids in the reduction of aerosols and spatters during ultrasonic scaling procedures, potentially reducing transmission of oral or respiratory pathogens like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Position and airflow of the device are important to effective aerosol mitigation.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ultrasonics
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
J Am Dent Assoc
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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