HOW ARE PLASTICS TRANSFORMING THE WORLD OF DENTISTRY?

In the dental industry, the safety of the patient is paramount to dentists, surgeons and other members of staff involved in the industry. As a result, the material that dental equipment is made from must comply with the strictest safety guidelines, while performing the job to the highest quality by using the correct materials. Dentist Footwear In most dental practices, you’ll see the staff wearing shoes similar to Crocs. These are also made from a type of plastic, called ethylene-vinyl acetate, and there is a reason for this being the common material used. Crocs are one of the most sanitary types of footwear, in terms of keeping them clean and are extremely comfy for dentists to wear when on their feet all day. Dental Chairs Modern dental chairs are made from both metal and plastic. The chair and apparatus itself are primarily made from plastic, and so are the pipes, tubes and many other appliances that are attached. Why do they need to be made of plastic? The basis of which equipment is bought is based on patient comfort and product efficiency, and it has been shown in the health industry that plastic tools fit these criteria. The outer layer of the chair is made from vinyl which is not only comfortable for the patient to lie on but is also easy to clean and maintain. As you’d probably expect, in the health care industry, hygiene is crucial, which is why this material has almost always been used. The thick, clear layer of plastic on the bottom of the chair is made from high-quality plastic to further promote hygiene from patient’s footwear and prevent contamination directly to the furniture. UPVC in Dentistry Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC), is a rigid form of PVC that is primarily used for dental moulding applications like dental retainers and mouthguards. This proves to be a suitable material because of its versatile properties. This material is extremely easy to keep clean, helping to eliminate cross-contamination, which could lead to an infection for the patient. It is also possible to manufacture it in a variety of different grades and colours, including a transparent mould, allowing it to be used for a range of applications. These include: Dental tubes and Pipes Dental Retainers Dental Instruments Dental Chairs PVC in Dentistry PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride and is typically used for more flexible applications. The main advantage of this type of plastic is its flexibility. PVC can be manufactured to a range of colours and densities, making it ideal for medical tubing and other equipment where flexibility is paramount. These include, among many others: Aprons Bibs Masks Gloves Footwear The use of plastics in dentistry is almost limitless. It is a low-cost solution to providing equipment that will be used by many different people, without the risk of cross-contamination. Plastic can be moulded into any shape and is much more hygienic than alternative materials, such as metal or fabrics. It would be almost impossible to list all the applications plastic in dentistry has; from the chair patients sit in, to the machines Dentists operate, plastic is the key material. Plastic has been a pioneer in the field and is evolving alongside the industry of dentistry, allowing them to achieve new and innovative goals all the time. As practices and knowledge develop, so do the applications that plastics are required for. Plastic provides a low cost, safe and hygienic solution in the dental industry that no other material can match. If you’re interested in extruded plastics for your company or products, get in touch with our team of experts to find out how they can help.

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