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Air
Abrasive Instrument Comparison
- July 1996
Detailed Characterization of
Air Abrasive Instruments
Go to a more recent publication
on air abrasive instruments
Note: Evaluated in the July 1996 Edition of CRA Newsletter.
This information is intended to provide a more in-depth characterization
of the air abrasive instruments ranking in the "Overall Performance"
column on page 3 of the July 1996 CRA Newsletter.
Section
1: Definitions of Performance Criteria
In order to receive an "excellent"
rating, the air abrasive unit must have the following characteristics.
1. Precision of Cut: Provide fine, narrow
cuts, and remove desired decay without excess tooth material.
2. Visibility: Vision around the handpiece tip into the preparation.
3. Access: Ability to access and comfortably cut any surface of any tooth
in the mouth, especially the distal surface of molars.
4. Operator in Full Control:
- Precise start and stop of the cutting abrasive
with the footpedal.
- Adjustable powder rate.
- Adjustable operating pressure.
5. Minimal Powder Overspray:
- No powder build-up on the tooth surface after releasing
the footpedal.
- Minimal cloud of powder coming from the patient's
mouth during cutting.
- Powder overspray is not felt by the operator, assistant,
or patient.
6. Reliability: No interruption during
use due to clogged tips or powder chambers, failed pinch valves, or other
mechanical breakdowns.
Section
2: Grades & Rankings
Following table shows CRA grade for all
air abrasive units tested according to the above criteria.
Excellent = "E" or 4.0 points
Good = "G" or 3.0 points
Fair = "F" or 2.0 points
Poor = "P" or 1.0 points
(Very Good = "VG" or 3.5 points)
The following table shows each air abrasive
unit with six scores that correspond to the six criteria mentioned above
and the average score.
|
Characteristic
|
Associate |
Director |
Jetstream |
KCP100
|
KCP1000
|
KCP2000 |
KV-1
|
Mach4.0 |
| 1. Precision
of cut |
2.5
|
2.5
|
2.0
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
| 2. Visibility |
4.0
|
4.0
|
2.0
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
| 3. Access |
4.0
|
4.0
|
2.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
| 4. Operator
in Full Control |
3.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
| 5. Minimal
Powder Overspray |
2.0
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
| 6. Reliability |
3.5
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
1.0
|
2.0
|
2.5
|
| Average Score |
3.2
|
3.2
|
2.3
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
2.8
|
2.0
|
2.1
|
| Ranking |
G
|
G
|
F
|
VG
|
VG
|
F
|
F
|
F
|
After over 1 year of extensive clinical
and laboratory testing, CRA clinicians and scientists compiled a list
of features desired in an "ideal" air abrasive instrument and
the importance weighting for each feature. (For importance weighting,
3 is highest.)
Section
3: 18 Features of an "Ideal" Air Abrasive Unit
Features listed as follows: (Importance
value) - "Ideal" Feature
- (3) Produces a narrow, precise, and focused cut.
- (3) Provides a comfortable access on any surface
of any tooth in the mouth.
- (3) Allows operator visibility at all times.
- (3) Consistently has no interruptions during use
due to mechanical failure.
- (3) Minimal overspray.
- (3) Operator in full control, including precise
on/off of cutting, and powder rate and pressure adjustment.
- (2) Clearly indicates need for powder refill and
air filter/dryer maintenance changes.
- (2) Fast, easy, and clean maintenance by office
personnel.
- (2) Useable for all dental air abrasion needs (tooth
cutting, Microetcher, and Prophy Jet).
- (2) Flexible cord and swivel.
- (1) Reasonable cost.
- (1) Small size and attached to the dental chair.
- (1) Two-stage footpedal for air only and abrasive
cutting.
- (1) Sterilizable handpiece and cord.
- (1) Quick-disconnect tips.
- (1) Clean, high-tech appearance.
- (1) Controls are easy, fast, cleanable, conveniently
located, and clearly labelled.
- (1) Powder color contrasts with tooth and decay.
None of the air abrasive instruments
met all of the above criteria in this evaluation.
The following show the 18 scores corresponding
to the above 18 ideals for each of the air abrasive units (scores are
0, .5, & 1 with 1 being best or ideal is present):
Weighted Rankings Sum (34 total possible)
- KCP100 - 21.5
- KCP1000 - 17.5
- Director - 16.0
- KCP2000 - 15.5
- Associate - 13.0
- Jetstream - 6.5
- KV-1 - 4.0
- Mach 4.0 - 4.0
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