DENTAL AEROSOLS
- December 18, 2020
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Subject : Environment
Context : Dental procedures can pose a high risk of viral transmission because the tools often produce aerosols — which can contain the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. New research has found that careful operation of dental drills can minimize the aerosol spread.
Concept :
- Aerosols are generated when saliva mixes with water and the air streams used in dental procedures.
- Now, researchers have measured and analyzed aerosol generation during dental procedures and suggested changes to prevent contamination to improve safety for both patients and the dental practice workforce.
Dental Aerosols
- A dental aerosol is an aerosol that is produced from dental instrument, dental handpieces, three-way syringes and other high-speed instruments. These aerosols are air suspended in the clinical environment.
- These aerosols can pose risks to the clinician, staff and other patients as well.
- The heavier particles (>50 µm ) of the aerosols suspend in the air for relatively short period and settles down quickly, but the lighter particles tend to remain suspended for longer periods and are capable to enter and get deposited in the lungs when they are inhaled and possess the capacity of transmitting diseases.
- These dental aerosols are also bioaerosols which are contaminated with bacteria, fungi and viruses of the oral cavity, skin and the water used in the dental units.
- Dental aerosols also have micro-particles of the burs, and silica particles which are one of the components of dental filling materials like dental composite.