EtchMaster (2011 PPL)

++++1/2

• 
  The award of Editors' Choice signifies the most unique and significant product in the issue. The editors review each product and clinical evaluation article scheduled for an issue and then select the issue's Editors' Choice.
   
• 
  Preferred Products are selected by Dr. John Farah and the staff of THE DENTAL ADVISOR. These products are featured each year in the January-February issue of THE DENTAL ADVISOR.

Groman Dental
800.906.9298
www.GromanDental.com

Consultants' Comments

• "Very compact and easy to use.”
• "I have been looking for a chair-side device that can prepare surfaces for bonding - this is perfect!”
• "The convenience of having a small chair-side unit is outstanding.”
• "Probably the best new product I’ve tried yet!”
• "Works well for cleaning cement out of crowns.”
• "My hygienist likes the soft powder for orthodontic patients and cleaning around brackets.”
• "The small size tips do not contain enough powder.”

Description

EtchMaster is a single-use air abrasion tip for intraoral use. It is indicated for polishing, roughening and/or etching of enamel, dentin, crowns, veneers, prosthetics, orthodontic brackets and dental restorations for adhesive restorative procedures. The abrasive powder comes in three hardness grades and six material varieties, color-coded on the tip:

Hard=Bond Enhancer

• 27-µm aluminum oxide for general bonding and sealant applications.
• 50-µm aluminum oxide for Orthodontic bonding applications.
• Glass beads for porcelain repair.

Mild=Surface Polisher

• 25% aluminum oxide/75% sodium bicarbonate for engrained stain removal.

Soft=Prophy Brush for stain removal and prophy procedures.

• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Calcium Carbonate

EtchMaster tips are disposable and attach to one of four connectors:

• Four-Hole Handpiece Adapter and Kavo Style Adapter, which allow control of air flow by the delivery unit’s foot pedal.
• Quick Disconnect Adapter, which attaches directly to an airline via a supplied pressure regulator and a traditional–style air syringe with push-button control.
• Cordless Etcher® Handpiece that is powered by replaceable CO2 cartridges.
• Groman provides lifetime warranty and free replacement on all adapters.

EtchMaster tips are available in boxes of 25, 50, and 100 in both large and small sized tips. The EtchMaster Starter Pack with the four-hole adapter was evaluated by 32 consultants in over 450 clinical procedures. This product received a 95% clinical rating.  

Suggested Retail Cost

• $124.99-249.99/Starter Kits

Product Features

Consultants found EtchMaster to be innovative and convenient. The four-hole adaptor evaluated allows for easy connection of EtchMaster to the dental unit without the addition of bulky or expensive equipment. Consultants who had experience using air abrasion units overwhelmingly preferred EtchMaster for basic chair-side procedures. Those using laboratory abrasive systems also found having a chair-side system to be an excellent benefit. Tips are bent at a 45° angle, creating challenges with access to certain areas of the mouth; optional contra-angle tips are available. The effectiveness in cleaning out grooves and abrading restorations was rated very good. No clogging was reported during the evaluation period. As with all air abrasion units, overspray occurs, but consultants reported minimal overspray with the EtchMaster. Seventy-four percent of consultants found EtchMaster to equal to or better than the current air abrasion unit; 72% of consultants would switch to EtchMaster and 83% would recommend it to a colleague.

Clinical Tips

Air pressure settings of 35 to 45 psi are ideal.

As with all air abrasion units, EtchMaster should be used with rubber dam isolation, and eye protection is critical for the patient, dentist, and dental assistant due to alumina powder.

Practice using EtchMaster on extracted teeth or glass slides before use on a patient.

More About: Groman Dental, Air Abrasion Unit