Inside Dental Hygiene (IDH): When selecting prophy angles, what features do you look for?

Stephanie Pajot, RDH: The most important factors to me are durability and the cup's performance-specifically, ensuring it has adequate flexibility, smooth rotation, and the ability to flare effectively for optimal access to interproximal sites. In lieu of a prophy cup, I also appreciate a prophy angle with a tapered brush for polishing traditional orthodontic brackets, clear aligner attachments, and for deep occlusal grooves prior to placing dental sealants.

IDH: How do you determine the best type of prophy paste to use for different patients?

Pajot: I select a prophy paste based on each patient's specific needs, considering the amount of extrinsic stain, the sensitivity level, and the type of restorations present. Many patients have confirmed to me that polishing with Nupro^® Extra Care prophy paste with NovaMin^® prior to scaling dramatically reduces hypersensitivity, especially on root surfaces. At a minimum, it's best to choose a fine grit prophy paste for sensitive patients, those with little to no staining, damaged enamel caused by a high-
acid diet, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a history of eating disorders, or for those who are sensitive to textures. For the small percentage of patients who strongly oppose the use of any fluoride products, as well as those receiving dental sealants during the visit, I opt for a fluoride-free pumice.

IDH: What about the abrasiveness of prophy pastes?

Pajot: A coarse prophy paste proves very helpful on teeth with heavy coffee, tea, or tobacco staining, however we must keep in mind that the increased coarseness leaves behind a rougher tooth surface.

ProphyPaste HAp

ProphyPaste HAp is a one-step paste that smoothly transitions from coarse to fine, offering a thick consistency that ensures no splattering during use. ProphyCare HAp comes in a convenient tube, allowing precise dispensing for each patient, reducing waste. It can be applied directly to your glove or a FixyDap for easy use.

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800-537-8765

ProFlare^®

The ProFlare^® articulating disposable prophy angle has a unique internal cup design and an innovative pivoting feature to allow easy gliding over surfaces for complete coverage. The cup's thin edge and optimal flaring capacity allows for better stain removal and polishing in interproximal areas and beneath the gingival margins.

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888-773-6872