Aerosol Reduction and Visibility Improvement with a Novel Dental Handpiece

Yen-Ting Hsu, Hsin-Hung Chien, Yung-Chung Chen, Chun-Juei Chou, Chih-Yung Wu, MING-YENG LIN, National Cheng Kung University

     Abstract Number: 293
     Working Group: Control and Mitigation Technology

Abstract
When using dental handpieces, the water jet is constantly sprayed onto the dental burr for cooling purposes. However, high concentrations of aerosols are generated, and some water mists are sprayed on patients' faces causing discomfort. Previously, we developed a dental handpiece with an air curtain to help confine the aerosol. Although our prior developed dental handpiece can help confine the aerosol and reduce dental workers’ aerosol exposure; however, aerosols confined within the air curtain reduce the visibility at the dental burr and may affect the dentist's vision. To solve this problem, we added an air jet within the air curtain to improve visibility and aid the cooling. Therefore, less water is needed to spray the dental burr for cooling, resulting in less aerosol generation.

We use Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS, DMA Model 3081 and CPC Model 3010, TSI Inc., MN, USA) to obtain the flow field and aerosol concentration. We further applied the Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) to analyze the visibility improvement. A thermal Imaging Camera (model FLIR E5, Teledyne FLIR, OR, USA) is used to monitor the temperature at the dental burr. Preliminary results indicate that adding the air jet can improve visibility, help cooling, and reduce aerosol generation by 80%. This improved dental handpiece can not only reduce aerosol exposure in dental offices but also make future dental visits more pleasant.