Isolite — helping to brighten the patient's smile

In this installment of “I Use That,” we asked Dr. Eric Hurtte and his lead dental assistant, Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA, CDIA, FADAA, about their use of Isolite.

With a thriving practice in suburban St. Louis (O’Fallon, Mo.), Dr. Hurtte and Tija believe this product has changed the way they approach dentistry.

What the dentist (Dr. Hurtte) says about Isolite:

One of the first things I do before every procedure is place the Isolite. I love using it for all restorative cases, as well as the benefits including retraction, lighting and isolation. Sometimes it’s difficult for an assistant and I to both get into the mouth to prep a tooth. With an Isolite, I don’t have to worry about that. It is amazing at how well this little marvel works to isolate the area, leaving me a clear field in which to operate. The light is far better than an overhead lamp and much better than the light on my loupes because, when I look away, the area is still brightly illuminated which really helps my assistant. The retraction aspect is great as well. This product is so easy to use, it’s a great investment. 

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What the dental assistant (Tija) says about Isolite:

I love this little gem! Not only can it illuminate the entire field, but the mouthpiece also allows for excellent retraction and protection! Patients say how comfortable it is and there is no better appliance for patient safety than the Isolite system. Whether using it for crown and bridge, endo or any other procedure, it’s easy to use. I love how the mouthpiece also works as a biteblock and our patients seem to love it as well. They stay open and, with the suction, they don’t feel like they have to swallow all the time. These mouthpieces are also single-use and come in five sizes, so there is one to fit every patient. 

Isolite can be purchased without the light (Isodry)… but the light is fabulous! Because this mouthpiece does it all, procedures take less time and are more comfortable for the patient. As an assistant working by myself at times, this little tool is incredibly valuable. Once you use it, you’ll never be able to go without it again.

Isolite

Isolite’s proprietary and patented mouthpiece has been specifically designed and engineered around the anatomy and morphology of the mouth to accommodate every patient, from children to the elderly. It is constructed out of a polymeric material that is softer than gingival tissue for patient comfort, and it has excellent optical qualities. Its safety advantages and ease-of-use will boost your practice’s efficiency, results, and patient satisfaction. 

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What is Isolite?

According to the manufacturer, Isolite’s proprietary and patented mouthpiece has been specifically designed and engineered around the anatomy and morphology of the mouth to accommodate every patient, from children to the elderly. It is constructed out of a polymeric material that is softer than gingival tissue for patient comfort, and it has excellent optical qualities. Its safety advantages and ease-of-use is said to boost a practice’s efficiency, results and patient satisfaction. 

How does it work?

When the Isolation mouthpiece is put in place, the patient’s cheek and tongue are automatically retracted and protected, resulting in an immediate decrease in the risk of patient injury. The mouthpiece obturates the entrance to the throat, minimizing the chance of debris aspiration. This makes the patient more comfortable and provides the additional benefit of being able to monitor the patient’s airway. The mouthpiece’s construction provides an extra layer of protection from dental instruments and controls the patient’s tongue. The patient can comfortably rest their jaw thanks to the built-in bite block, and you have free access to both the upper and lower quadrants. Additionally, because the mouthpiece is single-use, patient cross-contamination is eliminated. Plus, the mouthpiece has bilateral, 360° evacuation to keep the field dry and reduce humidity. 

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