Researchers from Tohoku University Find Oral Suction Devices Reduce Dental Aerosol Spread

Japan: Researchers at Tohoku University in Japan have found that oral suction devices can reduce the spread of aerosols and droplets during dental treatment. Concerns have been growing in the dental industry over the spread of infectious diseases through aerosols and droplets, particularly during the pandemic. 

Their experiment, titled “Visualization of droplets and aerosols in simulated dental treatments to clarify the effectiveness of oral suction devices” was published in the Journal of Prosthodontic Research on the 22nd of Febuary, 2023. 

The researchers hope that their findings will lead to the creation of a safer environment in dental practices.

Visualization of Droplet Spread

The study was carried out at Tohoku University and aimed to better understand the hazards of aerosols and droplets during dental treatment. The research team used a dental air turbine and a mannequin to recreate the droplets and aerosols that occur during dental procedures.

To better understand the spread and diffusion dynamics of these particles, the team used high-sensitivity cameras and high-intensity LED light sources to capture high-quality images of the droplet spreading during the simulated procedure. This had previously been difficult to do in real-time without the use of dyes.

Results

The team found that using extraoral suction and intraoral suction reduced the spread of droplets and aerosols by 97.8%. When using intraoral suction alone, the spread was reduced by 92.1%. The most effective positioning of the extraoral suction device was found to be about 10 centimeters away from the patient’s mouth at a 0º angle.

It was noted that the work being done on the patient can alter the directionality or spread of the droplets. For example, treatments for cavities on the anterior teeth are the most likely to be associated with droplet spreading.

Implications for Dental Treatment

The researchers hope that their findings will lead to the development of new dental treatment protocols and air purification equipment to create a safer dental care environment. The study shows that oral suction devices can have a positive impact on droplet reduction during treatments in dental practices. However, the study also noted some limitations that will require further testing, such as the need to use a patient model to clarify the efficacy of the devices.

Click here to read the full article. 

Source: Watanabe J, Iwamatsu-Kobayashi Y, Kikuchi K, Kajita T, Morishima H, Yamauchi K, Yashiro W, Nishimura H, Kanetaka H, Egusa H. Visualization of droplets and aerosols in simulated dental treatments to clarify the effectiveness of oral suction devices. J Prosthodont Res. 2023 Feb 22. doi: 10.2186/jpr.JPR_D_23_00013. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36823102.