Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
by Dr Vera Stephenson, Tamworth Complete Dental, NSW
Previously, we had a polishing unit we moved between each of the nine chairs in our clinic. I wanted to purchase a unit for each chair and after much research, I purchased nine PT-Bs. They’re a fast and efficient unit and about 40 per cent cheaper than other brands on the market.
What’s good about it
I really love the philosophy of air polishing rather than using an ultrasonic on every tooth. You remove the stain and soft calculus and then spot clean anything that it can’t remove.
The PT-B has warm water, a good taste, a nice smell, and patients love it. Being located in Tamworth, warm water was a must-have as our winters are so cold. I also wanted wireless foot pedals because too many cords in a dental clinic can be a real tripping hazard.
This unit is well designed and easy to use. It has a triplex function so after cleaning, it can be used to wash away any residue. It also has an air function that can be turned on with the foot pedal. You can check lesions, dry and desiccate, all while doing a check-up and clean.
It’s also a very effective ultrasonic scaler and has a range of tips for use with endodontic and periodontal treatment. I also use the polisher to clean the tooth surface before I start bonding.
What’s not so good
There’s no way to get around this, but you must have an air port. If you don’t have a separate air line in the surgery, it must be installed. At my other clinic, the air port comes off the chair and I find the cord running to the machine gets in the way.
