Our favorite dental prophy handpiece for the hygienist

 The best prophy handpiece is the Integrity II, which is also sold under other brands on ebay.  This is the one we use most. My rdh loves it.  It's actually got enough torque for restorative dentistry too.  Just slap on a $15 e type contra angle when needed.  (affiliate link) 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2F264889665423&campid=5337908077&toolid=10001&customid=

Save on Sof-Flex Discs

 3m Sof-flex discs complete kit found for $85 on ebay.  Compare to $208 at Patterson.

BSB Camera: a Bigger Burger Patty for your buck

Photomed has always sold a compact Canon setup for about $1400. Now it's $1500, and the SX470 camera upon which they base it on is $400 at Canon's official store. I realize they provide documentation, loaners and support, but they used to give you a higher line G series camera. I love a lot of their stuff, but I don't like the value proposition here. (and if you are a serious Canon color snob, then you are probably getting a $3000 SLR rig anyways)

For comparison's sake, BlueSkyBio is selling the faster focusing, much larger sensor size Olympus E-PL8 in a nearly identical configuration (camera+diffuser + close up filter for the default lens) for $900. BSB's kit doesn't have the slick one piece magnetic mount. You have to screw on the close up filter and screw on the diffuser panel. But it's $600 less and includes a 4 times larger sensor. I'll take a larger sensor any day of the week.

Remember, sensor size to cameras is like the meat in a hamburger--it's the main driver of cost and the main factor in image quality (besides the lens). Don't pay $15 for a hamburger with a tiny patty found inside $1 hamburgers. BSB's camera is best combo deal you'll find in dental photography. It's like Carl's Jr (Hardees) thickburgers - a restaurant sized patty inside a fast food priced burger. https://blueskybio.com/store/camera

Micro-four thirds is on the smaller size for interchangeable lens cameras, but IMO it's the perfect size for dentistry. Big depth of field yet good detail and more than enough dynamic range when you're using flash. Going bigger in sensor size (like APS-C and 35mm "full frame") in SLR's will not look significantly better for dentistry, yet will require much larger and heavier lenses and bodies to handle the larger sensor. 1" sensor size would still work for dentistry, but unfortunately, there aren't any cameras with lenses that immediately lend themselves to our needs.

Dental mixing tips for impressions and cements

The markup on mixing tips can be insane...often about $1.50 per use from major dental dealers.  I've found them for less than half of that. 

Check out my mixing tip collection on kit.com

My Retraction Statement: How Dentists Turn the Other Cheek

I found steel retractors in the shape of the plastic ones I like. These are two handed (patient controls the tension; can't blame you for being rough) and have large and small ends. Unlike the plastic ones, they won't melt in your autoclave. (and if they do, you have other problems)

There's also a black stainless steel version. This appears to be either painted or anodized. They were piano black glossy when I first got them, but autoclaving seems to have added a patina to them. It does rub off, but I prefer leaving it matte to reduce the slight glare you see on these photos. I wish it were black silicone; that's my favorite surface finish for black anterior contrasters.

Search for stainless steel lip retractors on e-bay.
(Affiliate link: I make a small commission at no added cost to you)

Search for the black stainless steel cheek retractors on ebay.
(Affiliate link: I make a small commission at no added cost to you)

PS What about the stainless steel Columbia retractors I used in dental school?

I used to use Columbia retractors.  Advantages: The Colombia is VERY durable --should last your entire career.  It also easily retracts without interfering with occlusal mirrors or buccal mirrors.  The downsides are it's VERY bulky to sterilize and it looks very "gynecological" / "medieval" in its appearance.  I switched to Columbias entirely for a few months, now I'm switching back to this shape. It's personal preference; there isn't a "wrong" answer as long as you get the image you want, and your patients don't flee you in fear.

If you're in a fast paced clinic where things get beat up, definitely consider stainless steel retractors over plastic ones.  It will definitely cost you less in the long run.

Photomed has an excellent collection of retractors.  They are amongst the only ones who sell round ended Colombia retractors.

http://www.photomed.net/retractors.htm

Air polishing

The affordable air polisher we use costs around $16 shipped on eBay.

Search for air polishers on ebay here.  (affiliate link) There are a LOT of models that meet my keywords; be sure to pick the model pictured above.  I haven't tested every single model, but of the three I tried, this was the easiest to aim.  We don't air polish much due to the powder mess, but when you need it, you need it.  At $16, you can afford to keep one or two in the drawer.  At time of writing, there was a listing for $14.29 from a US seller.  Least expensive 4 hole model I could find. 

The Best eBay Slow Speeds for your Money

After testing out many of the various options online, the best economical slow speed combo online is this "slow low" dental handpiece Denshine kit for as low as $36, shipped.



Buy the "slow low" handpiece kit here on eBay (affiliate link)

Why this kit over all the others?

This kit combines all the pieces I like using into one combo: a slow speed motor, a push button contra angle, and a straight nose cone.

Updated Denshine Slow Speed Motor :  The direction ring has slightly less play than the version before it.  That means it's less likely to get stuck between fully forward and reverse.  Like the previous version, it has plenty of torque--if you floor it.  My two criticisms of it follow, too: the irrigation port that sticks awkwardly out to the side to squirt your patients, and the lack of low RPM torque.  It simply stalls until you have half throttle.  This makes low and slow prophies difficult for me.