Abstract
Background
Dental procedures often produce aerosols and spatter, which have the potential to
transmit pathogens such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The existing
literature is limited.
Methods
Aerosols and spatter were generated from an ultrasonic scaling procedure on a dental
manikin and characterized via 2 optical imaging methods: digital inline holography
and laser sheet imaging. Capture efficiencies of various aerosol mitigation devices
were evaluated and compared.
Results
The ultrasonic scaling procedure generated a wide size range of aerosols (up to a
few hundred um) and occasional large spatter, which emit at low velocity (mostly <
3 m/s). Use of a saliva ejector and high-volume evacuator (HVE) resulted in overall
reductions of 63{b8727dad3e87009fdf7522b8034efdb701cdc6055ba8d220b20c1758c4dd8d79} and 88{b8727dad3e87009fdf7522b8034efdb701cdc6055ba8d220b20c1758c4dd8d79}, respectively, whereas an extraoral local extractor (ELE)
resulted in a reduction of 96{b8727dad3e87009fdf7522b8034efdb701cdc6055ba8d220b20c1758c4dd8d79} at the nominal design flow setting.
Conclusions
The study results showed that the use of ELE or HVE significantly reduced aerosol
and spatter emission. The use of HVE generally requires an additional person to assist
a dental hygienist, whereas an ELE can be operated hands free when a dental hygienist
is performing ultrasonic scaling and other operations.
Practical Implications
An ELE aids in the reduction of aerosols and spatters during ultrasonic scaling procedures,
potentially reducing transmission of oral or respiratory pathogens like severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Position and airflow of the device are important
to effective aerosol mitigation.
Key Words
Aerosol-generating procedures
high-volume evacuation
extraoral local extractor
dental aerosols
ultrasonic scaling
spatter
Abbreviation Key:
AGP (Aerosol-generating procedure), DIH (Digital inline holography), ELE (Extraoral local extractor), FOV (Field of view), HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), HVE (High-volume evacuation), LSI (Laser sheet imaging), PPE (Personal protection equipment), SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), SE (Saliva ejector)
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Biography
Dr. Ou is a senior research scientist, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Mr. Placucci is a graduate student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Ms. Danielson is a clinical professor, Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Dr. Anderson is a professor, Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Dr. Olin is a professor, Department of Restorative Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Dr. Jardine is a professor, Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Mr. Madden is a dental laboratory production manager, Department of Restorative Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Dr. Yuan is the director of modeling and data science, Donaldson Company, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Mr. Grafe is the vice president, Donaldson Company, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Dr. Shao is a research scientist, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Dr. Hong is an associate professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Dr. Pui is a professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Article Info
Publication History
Published online: September 16, 2021
Publication stage
In Press Corrected Proof
Footnotes
Disclosures. Dr. Yuan and Mr. Grafe work for Donaldson Company, the parent company of BOFA International, the designer and manufacturer of the extraoral local extractor tested in this study. None of the other authors reported any disclosures.
This study was supported partially by the Center for Filtration Research, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, MN.
Qisheng Ou and Rafael Grazzini Placucci made equal contributions to this work.
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2021.06.007
Copyright
(C) 2021 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
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