Our Medical Equipment Guide

Surgical dentistry, including oral implantology, is the fastest-growing area in modern dentistry. General dentists are spending thousands of dollars each year on upgrading their credentials and equipment to be able to comfortably offer surgical services. While setup costs can be high, the rewards of such procedures are unprecedented, especially with almost life-altering results in a lot of cases.

Most clinicians check off a set list of equipment they think will suffice for their needs and most get by comfortably, but to take these services to the next level, a perfect mix of ergonomics, utility, and ease are required which are usually missing in most dental offices.

Most offices equip themselves with curated surgical kits, implant drill kits, surgical motors, regenerative materials, etc. and that is all the necessities covered. However, in my experience, most suffer through bigger cases due to the lack of adequate ergonomic space for all the equipment they need during the surgery.

The Problem

For example, have you ever felt the instruments get cluttered within the first 5 minutes of the procedure due to extremely small tabletop square footage? Or have you felt that the drill kits, implant motors, centrifuges combined don’t leave any room for anything else and dentists end up working in cramped spaces?

This, unfortunately, results in unsightly and septic clutter of instruments and discarded sundries, and eventual damage to the fine and expensive instrument tips for lack of a clutter-free arrangement.

The solution for this is to add more counter space, which is hardly ever a viable option in a running office: in general, it takes too much time, effort, and cost to increase that space and most ops are already using up all of the available room to allow for any extensions to counter space.

What is the solution?

The most practical and ergonomic solution to this is an over-the-patient surgical table. These tables are large and have enough space to accommodate instrument and drill kits and all the sterile material a surgeon may need throughout the surgery. They can be positioned in the most comfortable position for the surgeon and their assistant for a highly ergonomic reach. With an adjustable height, they can also work for operators who like to work standing up.

The stainless steel or aluminum tray can be disinfected and lined with sterile drapes to prepare for surgery and the table stowed away neatly after the procedure is done. This has proved to be a workhorse in my practice and has become an essential part of all new surgical setups.

Another important positive aspect of the over-the-patient surgical table is that it reduces the possibility of dental instruments falling to the floor. This only enhances the safe sterility of using an over-the-patient surgical table, and truly makes it a no-brainer for any dental surgeon. With its ability to smoothly glide across the floor, surgical tables mean you can keep all instruments or other surgical necessities close at hand at all times.

Ergonomics Are Crucial

During surgery, it’s pertinent that the dentist works in an ergonomically-safe environment. Thankfully, the over-the-patient surgical table makes this even more possible than a normal surgical table. It’s undeniable that ergonomics leads to better patient treatment, and, therefore, more positive surgical outcomes. An ergonomically-sound environment allows clinicians to achieve improved accuracy in all dental surgeries.

Saddle stools are another example of essential, ergonomically-sound office equipment. Among other benefits, these stools relieve neck, shoulder, and back pain, improve circulation, reduce fatigue, and improve digestion by allowing the spine to be in its natural position. Saddle stool best practices include sitting at a 135-degree angle with the legs spread out. This creates a hip abduction position that stabilizes the pelvis in an upright alignment. This position allows clinicians to improve their strength, hand acuity, and balance.

When used in tandem with the over-the-patient surgical table, these stools provide an optimal ergonomic setup for any dentist, and certainly shouldn’t be overlooked during the initial clinic setup stage.

You Won’t Regret It

At the end of the day, the over-the-patient surgical table is an essential piece of equipment for any surgical dental practice. The utility and ergonomic benefits of these tables, as well as their connection to improved patient satisfaction, make them a highly attractive option when compared to other surgical tables. Do give these a try, and be assured that you will never revert back to surgeries without them going forward.

Elevators and luxators are dental instruments that are used in the process of tooth extraction. While they look similar at first glance, they have subtle differences which make them suitable for different circumstances. Elevators have a relatively less sharp edge, are thicker, and feature a curved shoulder. They are suitable for use when extracting more deep-set teeth that require more force to tear the ligaments. Dental luxators on the other hand feature a slimmer build which is ideal for the extraction of teeth located in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.

Why Fitting Matters

Fitting dental elevators and luxators matters because the process of tooth extraction requires force to be applied to the extraction process. This means that the dentist must be able to grip the handle of the instrument effectively. Not doing this often complicates the process as one is unable to hold the instrument properly.

Proper Fitting

When you are using an elevator or luxator, it is important to have the handle rested in the middle of the palm. You should also be able to touch the tip of the instrument with the index finger of the same hand. The latter is important for two reasons. First, it helps you to significantly increase the force that you are able to apply to the extraction process, making the extraction quick. Secondly, that index finger also allows you to control the movement of the instrument, which in turn results in less damage to the tissue around the tooth. Lastly, the index finger reduces the risk that the instrument will slip during the extraction process and also reduces hand fatigue.

While this may work for a small dental practice with a single dentist who can fit the instrument to his or her hand, practices with multiple dentists face a challenge. it may not be possible to have fitted elevators for everyone. Many dental practices get around this problem by purchasing the smallest dental instruments. This is because regardless of palm size, it is easier for everyone to work with small-handled elevators and luxators rather than big ones. However, if the practice has a dentist who has outsized hands, it makes more sense to get a set of instruments that are unique to such palm dimensions.

Glove Size Matters

Since practitioners using these instruments are likely to be wearing gloves, it is important to consider their glove sizes. While many people use glove size to determine the size of the shank, it is not always an accurate approach to go about fitting elevators and luxators. This is because similar-sized gloves tend to have different finger lengths. When purchasing these instruments, you should include this factor as well in order to ensure that the instruments can be used effectively.

Winged or Non-winged

Elevators can either be winged or non-winged. Winged elevators have a curved cusp which enhances the grip on the tooth during extraction. The choice on whether to use winged elevators or not often comes down to personal tastes. However, the cusp extends the length of the instrument which in turn changes the fitting.

If you are a healthcare provider, you probably do not need to be told why personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical in any medical setting. PPE helps to protect the healthcare worker from infection or injury from the biomaterial or chemicals they are handling. For example, when using corrosive substances such as acids, it can help to have safety glasses as well as other protective equipment to protect the eyes, face, and other parts of the body. 

In this article, we are going to look at personal protective equipment and in particular, explore some of the things that healthcare providers should know.

No One Size Fits All

Since a lot of PPE is bought in bulk by large medical facilities, there is a tendency for purchasing leads to use a one-size-fits-all approach. Nothing can be further from the truth and to make it worse, this behavior can lead to non-compliance. For example, many medical facilities purchase latex gloves without giving much thought to the fact that some of their healthcare workers may be allergic to latex. This in turn places such workers in a difficult position as using such gloves means that they suffer allergic reactions. In extreme cases, such healthcare workers may proceed with their duties without using medical gloves, with serious consequences.

The lesson here is that it is important to take a specific approach when it comes to PPE. You should understand the unique needs of your healthcare workers before proceeding to order PPE.

Sizing Matters

PPE is not just about its suitability for a particular purpose but it is also about size. If protective equipment does not fit, then it will not be as effective as it is supposed to be. This means understanding exactly who is going to wear the PPE and ensuring that the right sizes are available for everyone. For example, face masks that do not fit properly can leave critical parts of the face exposed to injury or infection.

Quality Matters as Well

As a healthcare worker, you may probably know that not all PPE is equal. Some medical gloves are better than others and so on. When it comes to purchasing PPE, you should remember that low-quality PPE gives your healthcare workers a false sense of protection while offering almost no kind of protection for them. This doubles the risk of injury or infection. Low-quality PPE is also bad for business as most of it will break or tear when in use or during sterilization. This means higher replacement costs and thus an impact on your bottom line.

Training Helps

To help your healthcare providers get the most out of the PPE, it is important to train them on how the equipment should be used and why it matters. Never assume that your workers know when to use PPE. 

At ProNorth Medical Corporation, we are determined to get you the best in PPE. We have many years of experience in this field so you can trust us to give you effective products and solutions.

Two of the most common dental instruments that are used in the extraction of teeth are elevators and luxators. While they generally look the same, there are some key differences between the two that make them unique to certain situations. We are going to look at the differences between elevators vs. luxators and the different situations in which they are used in tooth extraction procedures.

What Are Elevators?

Dental elevators look like luxators but there are some key differences in their design. Elevators tend to be thicker than luxators and feature a shoulder that is slightly bowed. In many cases, the elevators are not as sharp as luxators. While they work the same way i.e, gently prying teeth out of their gum sockets, their design makes them particularly better in certain situations. For example, when extracting a tooth that needs greater force to pull out, elevators work better than luxators. Another key design feature is the reduced sharpness as compared with luxators. Elevators also tend to rely on tearing ligaments in order to free the tooth, making them particularly suitable for dentists who are less familiar with recommended tooth extraction techniques.

Wings Vs. Non-Winged Elevators

Broadly speaking, there are two types of elevators namely winged and non-winged elevators. Wing elevators have a curved cusp whose purpose is to grip the target tooth secularly, making it unlikely that it will slip during elevation. Non-winged elevators do not have this cusp. The choice of whether to use a winged or non-winged elevator tends to be a personal choice. While most dentists tend to use winged elevators, non-winged variants work just as well. One of the things to note however is that the right size of a winged elevator must always be used. This is because if the elevator is not of the right size, the cusp tends to crush tissue and bone material surrounding the target tooth. This in turn creates more injury than necessary thus increasing the risk of infection.

Luxators

Dental luxators on the other hand tend to be slimmer and longer, a feature that allows them to have a sharper edge. While the elevators tear through the ligament, luxators tend to rely on their sharper edge to cut through the tissue. The thin design also makes them very suitable for working in tight spaces of the mouth. They are also designed to work in a rotational way that further enhances their ability to work in hard-to-reach spaces.

Which One to Use

As you may have already deduced, the choice of which of the instruments to use comes down to personal preferences and circumstances. For example, dentists who use aggressive approaches in tooth extraction, or those who frequently remove buccal bone matter prefer to use elevators thanks to their thicker and stronger frames. In many cases, however, dentists and veterinarians will tend to have both instruments and switch from one to the other depending on the nature of the extraction.

Stainless steel is one of the most commonly used metals when it comes to the manufacture of dental instruments. While titanium and other metals are also used, you are far more likely to find that stainless steel is used to make your favorite dental instrument. Stainless steel is ideal for dental instruments because it is strong and tough, lessening the likelihood of the instrument breaking. Due to the high hardness of surgical stainless steel, the tip life is prolonged and maintenance time is reduced. 

Here are some advantages of stainless steel dental instruments.

Easy to Maintain

Stainless steel does not stain easily. The fact that it remains shiny means that impurities can be spotted and easily cleaned off. A good example is dried blood or tissue. The dark red nature of this tissue material means that it is very easy to miss when cleaning out the instrument. This in turn can lead to cross infections. With stainless steel, the shiny surface stands in contrast to any foreign material, thus making cleaning easy.

Stainless Steel Does Not Corrode

Iron corrodes easily, especially when exposed to moisture. Most dental instruments will come into contact with moisture, whether in the process of sterilization or during use. Using iron instruments means that you run the risk of corrosion, which in turn may introduce harmful chemicals into the mouth of the patient. With stainless steel, you do not have to worry about such corrosion taking place.

Easy to Sharpen

Dental instruments need to be kept in the best shape possible. This means keeping cutting instruments sharp and so on. If you are not able to do this, you risk injury to your patients through un-sharpened cutting tools. Fortunately, steel instruments are very easy to sharpen. They also retain their sharpness for longer, ensuring that you do not wear out your cutting edge through constant sharpening.

Stainless Steel is Strong

The worst thing that could happen when you are using a dental instrument is to have it bend or break. For example, instruments used for dental extractions need to be strong enough to lift the tooth off without breaking. Stainless steel is super strong and this is why stainless steel instruments are a favorite for dentists all around the world.

Stainless Steel is Light

Unlike iron or other metals, stainless steel is very light. This makes stainless steel instruments easier to use. If the instruments were made of other metals, dentists would likely tire easily, especially when performing long procedures. By making dental instruments light, stainless steel enables doctors to undertake delicate operations without straining their arms.

At ProNorth Medical Corporation, we are focused on getting top-quality medical supplies to healthcare workers all across North America. We do this by sourcing equipment from top-quality manufacturers and ensuring that all our products are approved by regulatory agencies. We also bring you these medical products at very competitive prices. Our website is designed to make it easy for you to find any medical product that you are looking for.

Dental extraction forceps play an important role when it comes to the extraction of teeth. Dental forceps help to reduce the level of trauma on the site of the extraction, something that aids in the quick healing of the tooth. Dental forceps do this by luxating the area of extraction which in turn makes it easier to cut through the ligaments.

Dental extraction forceps come in many different designs which in turn dictate their different roles in teeth extraction. In this article, we look at the different dental extraction forceps.

Maxillary Anterior Forceps

Designed to extract teeth that are located in the upper anterior, maxillary anterior forceps feature blades that have no spaces between them. They also have relatively narrow beaks which are conical in order to adhere to the shape of the upper anterior teeth. Many dentists also use them to extract retained roots of anterior teeth.

Maxillary Canine Forceps

These forceps feature very heavy blades and also have limited space from one blade to another. They are very effective in the extraction of maxillary canines as they are straight-shaped. Some dentists also use them to extract central incisors. They work effectively to remove teeth located in the left and right quadrants of the mouth.

Upper Atraumatic Molar Forceps

These feature two bends and a buccal blade with a projection. The alternative blade, called the palatal blade, is smooth. The way these forceps work is that the projection is designed to reach the molar’s roots. For this kind of forceps, you should get two sets for the left and right quadrant.

Lower Anterior Teeth Forceps

These are used for the extraction of a lower anterior tooth. It features a perpendicular frame which is located perpendicular to the long axis of the handle. Like all the others we have covered so far, they also do not have any breaks between the blades. This allows you to use the same forceps for the extraction of teeth on the left and on the right. There are however variants for canine teeth which are heavier in order to cope with the more deep-set canine teeth.

Forceps for the Lower Molars

Given the fact that lower molars tend to be heavier, this variant of forceps features very heavy blades, they have no spaces between them and both blades have projections on them. Modern designs tend to feature a curved handle making them easier to grip. The two projections on the blade often lead to people referring to them as cow-horn forceps. The projections make it easy to extract molars by enhancing the instrument’s grip on the tooth.

Forceps for Atraumatic Root Extraction

These are special kinds of forceps that are used for the extraction of atraumatic roots. Given that it has to reach into the socket in order to remove the remaining root tissue, root extraction forceps feature a long beak. The handle design also features bumps, designed to enhance grip due to the delicate nature of root extractions.

Instrument cassettes are widely used across dental clinics in North America. Some dentists choose not to use them and this is usually due to the fact that they don’t understand the benefits that come with using instrument cassettes. These helpful tools are able to hold most of your dental instruments, allowing for easier sterilization, use, and storage. 

Here are some reasons why you should consider using instrument cassettes in your dental clinic.

Time-Saving

Most of the dental clinics that use instrument cassettes report saving time as they do not have to keep hunting for the right instrument. Since the cassettes also make sterilization faster, it ensures that you are running an efficient practice.

Protects Valuable Instruments

Something else that you need to consider is the fact that most of your top-of-the-range dental instruments come at a high cost. This means that if your dental practice is constantly losing instruments through breakage and loss, the bill eventually begins to run up and affects your bottom line. This is without mentioning the loss of time that may be caused by missing dental instruments. With a dental instrument cassette, these sorts of problems tend to disappear.

Safer Handling

One of the things that you need to ensure at your dental clinic is safety. This means protecting your staff from injury and infections when handling sharp objects. Even if your staff wear medical gloves when handling these instruments, the reality is that many sharp objects can easily perforate rubber gloves, especially the thinner variety. Instrument cassettes add a layer of safety as your staff does not have to handle sharp objects all the time.

Better Outcomes

The ability to run smoother and more efficient exams and procedures mean that you are more likely to achieve better health outcomes for your patients. Time lost while an instrument is being looked for means more bleeding or even more discomfort for the patient. This in turn reflects poorly on your clinic. On the other hand, if you rely on instrument cassettes, you can be sure of efficient instrument changeovers and an overall better perception and experience by the patient. 

Why Buy Instrument Cassettes at ProNorth Medical Corporation

ProNorth Medical Corporation is your best bet when it comes to purchasing top-notch medical instruments and supplies. From sutures to instrument cassettes, all our products are approved by regulatory agencies all across North America. This means that you have complete peace of mind that you are working with the best. Given the fact that we stock supplies from different brands, our online shop is a great place to compare prices and features of various brands. This in turn results in more efficient use of your money.  The fact that we ship promptly to all areas in North America means that you will never suffer from stockouts again. Shopping on our site is really easy. We have categorized all our products so finding related medical supplies is simple and fast. 

Visit our website today for great savings on dental instrument cassettes.

When performing feline anesthesia procedures, the fact of the matter is that there is a higher mortality rate in this procedure than there is for other animals such as dogs. This is despite the fact that the two procedures are performed in veterinary clinics in equal numbers. So what makes a feline anesthesia procedure much more dangerous than for other animals? Part of the problem is that there is a lack of understanding about the precise steps for this procedure.

In this article, we take you through the steps of feline anesthesia procedures for a clear understanding.

Premedication

Feline anesthesia procedure stipulates that certain drugs can be used as premedication before the anesthesia procedure. Some of these drugs that are recommended include butorphanol, hydromorphone among many others. All these drugs are generally safe and have limited side effects. One of the drugs to note is acepromazine which is known to produce inconsistent effects. Many veterinarians have also noted its tendency to cause hypertension. Another drug to use with care is benzodiazepine. In fact, veterinarians are urged not to use it as it is known to cause agitation and dysphoria. Before inducing anesthesia, it is recommended that an IV catheter be placed which makes it easier for the surgeon to deliver emergency drugs or any other kind of drugs that may be needed.

Induction

The next step in this procedure is induction and this utilizes a number of machines and drugs. Popular drugs used for this process include ketamine, telazol, and many others. They are typically introduced intramuscularly and sometimes subcutaneously. One thing to note during this procedure is that it is wise to avoid chamber induction. This is especially in the cases of agitated cats which can easily develop cardiovascular depression due to the large amount of anesthetic gas that is needed for the process.

When it comes to intubation, it is important that special care be taken in order to avoid tracheal tears. In fact, one of the leading causes of feline death during feline anesthesia is blocked airways that are a result of improper intubation.

Complications During Anaesthesia

There are a number of conditions that can arise during feline anesthesia procedures. The three most common include hypothermia. Here, the temperature of the feline drops precariously and can be fatal without proper management. To manage this condition, the first thing that the veterinarian surgeon must do is to monitor the temperature of the feline very closely. Any changes in temperature should be stabilized immediately. This can be done through active warming interventions, limiting how much of the cat’s fur is trimmed, and so on. IV fluids and surgical scrubs can also be used to manage hypothermia in felines.

Post-surgery, felines have been known to experience a sharp rise in body temperature. This is known as hyperthermia and surgeons also need to be on the lookout for this. Common interventions that are used to manage this problem include cooling machines as well as fans.

All dentists understand the importance of sharp dental instruments. Sharp cutting tools ensure clean quick cuts that do not damage gum tissue during procedures. While dental instruments come sharp and ready to use, they also have a tendency to dull after some time of use. This means that you must actively work to ensure that your dental tools stay as sharp as possible.

In this article, we look at ways in which you can maintain the sharpness of your dental instruments.

Proper Storage

Although most people don’t realize it, the way you store your dental instruments makes a huge difference in how sharp they stay. For example, cutting instruments that are stored improperly may have their edges affected by other instruments. This is why dentists are advised to have storage cassettes that ensure that cutting instruments do not come into contact with other metallic objects. An additional advantage to utilizing storage mechanisms is that they also ensure proper hygiene protocols are maintained.

Use the Right Instruments

There are different dental instruments for different jobs and it is critical to use the right instrument for the right job. This means ensuring that every medic at your facility understands what each instrument is meant for. Before using any instrument, ensure that it is carefully inspected as well so that chipped or misaligned instruments are not used as this will further damage them.

Use a Professional Sharpening Service

Many dental practitioners may already be aware of instrument sharpening services. However, depending on the machines that they use and their skillset, not all these service providers are equal. It is therefore advisable to ensure that you are working with a professional and experienced company. If you entrust your dental instruments to the wrong service provider, you may even end up losing your instruments due to damage.

Have a Policy About Instrument Care

In the hustle and bustle of running a dental clinic, it is possible that reviewing and managing the state of your dental instruments may be forgotten. This is dangerous because leaving it to chance means that you may not realize that your dental instruments need to be attended to until they have caused actual damage to your patients. Having a policy that deliberately forces the review of instruments periodically means that such problems can be caught early. Such a policy would also manage the storage and use of these instruments, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Watch for Corrosion

Although most dental instruments are made of stainless steel, there still are some instruments that are made of metals that can corrode. For such instruments, it is important to ensure that they are kept free of corrosion. Corrosion is a common problem especially because dental instruments must be cleaned with water as part of the sterilization process. If the instruments are not stored properly, there is always a risk that they may get corroded and this will affect the cutting edge.

Dental loupes, as most dentists know, are essential and critical dental instruments when doing a medical examination of the oral cavity. Dentists wearing dental loupes are able to see even the smallest features on the teeth and gums. This in turn enables him or her to detect small abnormalities such as cracks on the teeth or tiny sores on the gum.

In this article, we examine how dental loupes work and why you will want to use one during your next medical exam.

What They Are

These are magnifying glasses that help to enlarge the view of the dentist when he or she is doing a medical examination. By magnifying the field of view, dentists are able to see even the small features. Modern loupes are able to magnify the field of vision by as much as 8 times, allowing for better detection of any abnormalities. Vision is nothing without light and most modern dental loupes also feature a white strobe of light that helps to light up the area where the dentist is examining. All said, loupes allow for more accurate dental exams, which in turn leads to better health outcomes.

Why Use Dental Loupes

As all dentists know, accuracy in diagnosis and treatment is one of the crucial elements when it comes to dental health. This means that by facilitating better diagnosis of dental problems, loupes are able to lead to better health outcomes for patients. Loupes are also able to help cosmetic dentists match the color of fillings and implants to the actual color of the teeth. By enhancing the field of view, the dentist is able to contrast and match teeth’ color better.

Loupes are also helpful to the health of the dentist. Before they were adopted by the medical world, dentists used to suffer from neck problems due to the constant need to bend in order to examine teeth closely. Thanks to loupes, dentists can now sit upright and still have an excellent view of the mouth that they are examining.

Why Buy Dental Loupes at ProNorth Medical Corporation

When it comes to top-quality dental loupes, you can’t go wrong with ProNorth Medical Corporation. These amazing instruments from ProNorth Medical Corporation make medical examinations easier for dentists. You can shop for your dental loupes at ProNorth Medical Corporation with the peace of mind that your financial data is safe. We also promise never to share it with third parties. 

Our online shop is designed to help you shop with ease. For example, product pages link to other similar instruments, allowing you to buy related instruments with ease. You are also going to love our prices. We sell all our medical products at very competitive prices. This means that you get great value for your money as all our products are of the highest quality.

When you place your order, we promise to get your delivery done regardless of where you are in North America. This means no stockouts while waiting for critical supplies to arrive.