Computational Tracking of Dental Splatter

Crawley R, Badreddine A, Kerbage C and Mizner M

ABSTRACT (Click here for full study)

Objective

The purpose of this study was to track and characterize visible oral splatter generated by a 9.3 µm CO₂ laser compared to that of a traditional high-speed dental drill when performing a cavity preparation procedure.

Methods

Extracted human second molars were placed in a dental-simulator mannequin head, which was positioned in a local dentist’s operatory, along with a high-volume evacuation (HVE) system to simulate a typical clinical environment. A cavity preparation was performed using both a 9.3 µm CO₂ laser and high-speed drill, while maintaining identical cutting angle and location in the mouth. A high-speed camera was used to capture the splatter ejected from the mouth. The recordings were analyzed with both manual and computational-tracking methods using an image analysis software. A quantitative analysis of the tracked droplets was performed to determine splatter displacement, speed, and rate of droplet formation during the procedure for both the 9.3 µm CO₂ laser and drill.

Results

Over the visible tracking range during a time of maximal droplet generation, the 9.3 µm CO₂ laser, relative to the drill, generated 93.5% fewer droplets per second, reduced mean droplet speed by 35%, and reduced average maximum droplet speed by 50%. At a typical distance between the patient and the dentist, 0% of the laser-generated droplets, and 12% drill-generated droplets traveled a net displacement of >30 cm from the tooth. Mean splatter displacement rate, a weighted representation of the combined displacements of droplets over time, was 95% lower for the 9.3 µm CO₂ laser than for the drill.

Conclusions

Droplet tracking analysis showed that the use of a 9.3 µm CO₂ laser reduced the amount, speed and displacement of splatter as compared to a conventional high-speed drill. Since splatter may harbor infectious pathogens, the laser reduces the risk of infection to dental practitioners.