The term “disposable prophy angle” refers to a single-use item that combines a dental prophy cup and a prophy angle into one unit. When combined with a prophylactic paste, the disposable prophy angles help the patient with surface smoothing and biofilm management while also eliminating plaque and discoloration from their teeth.
Disposable prophy angles are among the integral tools in a dental practice used in polishing teeth during a prophylaxis procedure. That is a convenient and efficient tool but could seldom break, which could present one of the tricky situations a dentist encounters.
One should be able to learn how to remove a broken disposable prophy angle safely and effectively in a work environment to keep workflow and patient safety at par. The steps for dealing with such situations, with tips and best practices, are as follows.
What is a Disposable Prophy Angle?
A disposable prophy angle is a dental appliance attached to a low-speed handpiece; this angled head is fitted with a small rubber cup or brush used to clean and polish teeth. Such tools are used once to ensure hygiene and prevent cross-contamination between patients.
Following are the several factors that can lead to breakage of disposable prophy angles.
- There can be manufacturing defect where the weak points can occur in batch and make them easier to break.
- Too much pressure applied while polishing the disposable prophy angle will make the angle break.
- Fractures can be caused by mishandling or simply dropping the device.
- Even though these angles are for one-time use, they may suffer from wear and tear, leading to breakage.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing a Broken Disposable Prophy Angle
When a disposable prophy angle breaks, this means that one must remove it safely to avoid damaging the handpiece or causing discomfort to the patient. The steps below will help you in removing the broken piece effectively.
Step 1: Assess the Situation
First, assess the degree of breakage. Know if it has broken off inside the handpiece or if it is still attached. This will determine the method to be used in removal.
Step 2: Gather the Apparatuses
You will need to have the following apparatuses within reach to extract the broken prophy angle:
- Protective gloves
- Sterile gauze or cotton rolls
- Dental tweezers or hemostats
- A small mirror
- Alcohol wipes or disinfectant solution
- A replacement prophy angle
Step 3: Safety and Hygiene
Keep the environment clean. Clean your hands and wear protective gloves. Use the alcohol wipes or a disinfectant solution to clean the area around the broken prophy angle.
Step 4: Remove Any Loose Fragments
If there are loose fragments of the broken prophy angle, carefully remove them with dental tweezers or hemostats. Be gentle to avoid pushing the fragments further into the handpiece.
Step 5: Take Apart Handpiece (if necessary)
Sometimes, the broken piece may be inside the handpiece. In this case, you may have to take apart the handpiece to retrieve and remove the fragment of the broken prophy angle.
- Turn off and detach the handpiece.
- Switch off the dental unit and remove the handpiece from the power source.
- Disassemble Handpiece
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions to disassemble the handpiece; this usually involves the removal of the outer casing, allowing access to the internal components of the handpiece.
- Locate the Broken Piece
- Using a small mirror, look inside the handpiece to identify where the piece has broken.
- Remove the Broken Piece
- Using dental tweezers or hemostats, carefully extract the broken piece.
Step 6: Clean the Handpiece
After removing the broken piece, the handpiece should be thoroughly cleaned to remove all the debris or any other residue. Interior components can be wiped with a sterile gauze or cotton roll. After that, a disinfectant solution can follow to ensure that it is clean and sterile.
Step 7: Reassemble the Handpiece
Once the handpiece is cleaned, reassemble it by following the instructions given by the manufacturer. All the components should be securely locked.
Step 8: Evaluating the Handpiece
Evaluate the Handpiece Before attaching a new prophy angle, evaluate the handpiece for proper function. Run the dental unit and operate the handpiece for a few seconds to monitor any unusual sounds or vibrations.
Step 9: Apply a New Prophy Angle
Attach a new disposable prophy angle after you have checked that the handpiece is working well. Ensure that it is firmly seated on the chuck by tightening it well and in correct alignment.
Step 10: Resume Procedure
When the new prophy angle is attached, you can resume the dental procedure. Always inform the patient about the incident and reassure him that everything is under control.
Tips and Best Practice
To minimize the breaking of a disposable prophy angle and for easy removal when it happens, the following tips and best practices are worth considering:
Use Quality Products
Invest in high-quality disposable prophy angles from reputable manufacturers. Such products are less likely to have manufacturing defects and designed to manage rigorous work in a dental procedure.
Applying Appropriate Pressure
Avoid excess pressure in the polishing process. Gentle, consistent pressure usually does the trick in cleaning and polishing.
Regular Maintenance of Handpieces
Keep your dental handpieces properly serviced and maintained. Well-maintained handpieces will also give you fewer problems with prophy angles.
Staff Education
Educate your dental staff on how to correctly use and manage disposable prophy angles. This would include proper attachment and detachment of the angles and the amount of pressure to be applied.
Have a Plan if they Break!
Set up a protocol on how to manage a broken prophy angle. Educate your staff to procedures to be implemented when a breakage occurs, so that you minimize down-time and ensure patient safety.
Conclusion
A broken disposable prophy angle at disposable prophy angle manufacturer is a pain to remove but with the proper tools and techniques it can be removed safely. The use of quality products and appropriate pressure and good upkeep of the equipment would also reduce the possibility of breakage.
Knowing the ins and outs of disposable prophy angles and observing best practices can help dental professionals ensure the maintenance of high-quality care and the smooth running of practices.