When to Replace
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When to Replace
The oral health of your patients is your top priority, and keeping your inserts healthy is just as important. Inserts in poor condition compromise patient comfort and safety. Plus, you then need to work harder to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. But by checking the stacks, o-rings, and tips of your inserts, you can maintain optimal performance.
CHECKING THE STACKS
The leaves of the stack should uniformly nest together. Check to make sure the stack leaves are not splayed, fractured, bent, or detached. If they are, you may experience inadequate power, or the tip may not vibrate at all.
To keep the stack in good condition, you should always handle the insert by the grip. Using cassettes during cleaning and sterilization can also protect the insert.
If your inserts have compromised stacks, they should be taken out of use and replaced.
Worn tips can significantly diminish your scaling efficiency
A tip loss of just 1mm results in a 25% loss of efficiency, while a tip loss of 2mm results in a 50% loss of efficiency. When the tips are worn, you may apply more pressure on the insert, which lessens the vibration, or you may turn up the power on the generator. This can lead to longer treatment times and more discomfort for both you and your patients.
Be sure to check your tips weekly to ensure your inserts are performing at their best. With our Wear Guide, you can evaluate the shape and length of the tip of your inserts and determine if it is time to replace.
CHECKING THE O-RINGS
Over time, the o-rings on your inserts may show signs of wear. They may be dry, brittle, or cracked. There also could be leaking at the junction of the handpiece and insert, or the insert may not seem secure in the handpiece.
You can lubricate the o-rings, but you should only use water. Oil-based products, such as petroleum jelly, can cause drying or cracking and result in unwanted foreign matter within the water channel.
To change the o-ring, use a pair of dressing pliers to pull the worn o-ring over the metal stack. Then slide a wide drink straw over the metal stack. Apply a new o-ring to the bottom of the straw and roll it up until it reaches the o-ring slot.
