PDT instruments are crafted from the finest materials available and are created by highly skilled craftspeople. Instruments undergo rigorous inspections throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring the highest quality possible. PDT is always innovating. We have proprietary heat treatment and cryogenic treatment processes that create harder and tougher instruments with the development of an amazing grain structure for our metal tips. Special processes utilized in our manufacturing steps also allow for a harder finished product. This combination produces one of the finest dental instruments on the market.
As with any fine medical instrument, how the instruments are used and maintained plays an integral part in their longevity. Given different sets of circumstances, PDT instruments can be expected to last from six (6) months to seven (7) years. Critical factors impacting life of the instrument include:
1. Number of uses per day
Many instruments used and reprocessed several times a day require routine resharpening to maintain optimal performance. Instruments resharpened before becoming blunt will maintain their integrity much longer, due to less material being removed in the resharpening process. It is important to test your edge to assure your instruments are as effective as possible for both the practitioner and the patient.
2. Skill level of the person performing resharpening functions
All dental instruments require a level of maintenance to ensure proper functioning. The competence of the person maintaining the instruments relates directly to their lifespan. The skill of the person responsible for resharpening those instruments that require an edge, and the tools used in the resharpening process, directly impact the longevity of the blade. Effective resharpening maintains a solid working edge ensuring greater comfort for the patient and less stress on the hands of practitioners. We have found the Ultimate Edge™ Kit to be the most effective sharpening system. The Gleason Guide™ assures everyone sharpening the instruments achieves the factory bevel every time. The Diamond Head Ceramic Stone™ is an extremely fine stone which allows for a sharp edge without removing excessive material.
3. Type of patients being treated
Patients can present with different levels of care needed. If the patient load consists mainly of those performing poor oral hygiene, the instruments will experience more wear to achieve a satisfactory result. Patients presenting with good oral hygiene and/or maintaining regular dental visits will result in less wear on the blades as less resharpening is required and less blade material is removed.
4. Skill of the practitioner
The skill level, expertise and adaptability of the practitioner also determines how long the instruments will last. Pressure used, angles applied, proper selection and use of instruments and associated factors influence the functioning of each instrument.
These and other factors impact the health and longevity of any medical device. There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer to “how long will my dental instrument last.” PDT instruments are crafted to ensure the longest life possible given proper usage and maintenance.
