Throughout the years, the practice of dentistry has certainly gone through many changes. New technologies have made the average appointment, quicker, more comfortable and more productive. At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we stay at the forefront of the dental industry, always updating our equipment and techniques to the latest standards. One such instrument we are proud to utilize is the Isolite vacuum system.
In the past, even simple dental work was clinically challenging to keep dry and clean. An assistant would have to hold multiple suctions for the duration of your appointment, taking care to protect your tongue and cheeks. While effective, this process is cumbersome, difficult to use on certain teeth and ultimately less relaxing for the patient. The Isolite streamlines this entire process, while adding an extra dimension of comfort to your visit.
An Isolite handpiece. The clear, flexible plastic forms a mouthpiece that keeps you safe and comfortable.
The Isolite is a specialized suction system mated to custom sized mouthpieces. It connects to the central vacuum line at our office and is installed in every one of our operatories. The mouthpieces provide a comfortable place for you to rest your mouth along with continuous suction and lighting. They have two flexible “wings” that wrap around your tongue and cheek, creating a safe barrier between our instruments and your soft tissue. The end result is a quicker, safer and more comfortable appointment. Additionally, since the Isolite provides more thorough suction, it keeps our work area cleaner and drier. This translates to more precise preparations and stronger cement bonds with better longevity.
An example of the Isolite in use.
On top of coming in five different sizes, the Isolite mouthpieces can be further trimmed and shaped in a matter of seconds. Most patients find the fit to be quite comfortable, often forgetting we are using it. Overall, we have had excellent results with this system and use it for nearly every (non-cleaning) appointment. If you would like to learn more about the Isolite and why we use it, please give us a call. We are always happy to educate our patients on the instruments and techniques used at our office!