Pac-Dent ProAngle Plus Disposable Prophy Angles · Soft Teal Cup · 500

A prophy angle is the attachment that rubber cups and brushes mount on for engine-driven polishing. The FDA regulates the dental handpiece and its accessories as a Class I device and describes a contra-angle attachment for difficult to reach areas, used to prepare cavities and to clean teeth (21 CFR 872.4200). What the angle carries is a prophylaxis cup: a rubber device held by a dental handpiece and used to apply polishing agents during a cleaning, a Class I device (21 CFR 872.6290). A review notes the handpiece needs enough torque to hold a steady speed of 2,500 to 3,000 rpm, and that an empty cup generates heat instead of polishing.

The CDC lists prophylaxis angles among the semicritical devices that touch mucous membranes and attach to the air or waterlines of the dental unit. Laboratory model studies indicated the possibility of retention of viral DNA and viable virus inside both high-speed handpieces and prophylaxis angles. The CDC states that any dental device connected to the air and water system that enters the mouth should be run to discharge water, air or a combination for a minimum of 20 to 30 seconds after each patient. The CDC also notes that prophylaxis angles are commonly available in a disposable form and should be disposed of appropriately after each use. A single-use device is designed to be used on one patient and then discarded, not reprocessed for use on another patient.

Sources: CDC: Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings — 2003 (MMWR 2003;52(RR-17)) · Efficiency of three different polishing methods on enamel and cementum: a scanning electron microscope study, 2018 (J Indian Soc Periodontol, PMC5855262) · FDA 21 CFR 872.4200, Dental handpiece and accessories · FDA 21 CFR 872.6290, Prophylaxis cup · Bains et al. 2009, Tooth polishing: Relevance in present day periodontal practice (J Indian Soc Periodontol) · A comparative evaluation of plaque-removing efficacy of air polishing and rubber-cup, bristle brush with paste polishing, 2015 (PMC4697229)