Saving space for a more efficient operatory

Let's face it. As we add services to our patient treatment, the amount of space we have available in our operatories decreases.

I consider myself to be really lucky in that regard. 6½ years ago, I built a new office and had a chance to increase the size of the operatories to accommodate all the hardware that I need. However, I couldn’t increase the counter space on the dental cabinetry. That puts all of us in the same situation… we all are suffering from a lack of what I refer to as “countertop real estate.” No matter how hard we try, our countertops are becoming more and more cramped. There is also the fact that our number of electrical outlets is limited as well.

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This becomes even more of a problem when you factor in procedures that require you to bring in extra hardware. One of these procedures is endo. When setting up for an endodontic procedure in my office we have (in addition to a standard tray setup) a box containing files, an apex locator, a warm vertical downpack device, a warm vertical backfill device and an electric endo motor.

Of all of these devices, the one that claims more countertop real estate than any other is the electric endo motor. That particular device is fairly large and fairly heavy, occupying a good chunk of my counter, but is absolutely necessary for me to perform the procedure.

Now, what if I could take that device and take it down to a form factor that I could put into my pocket? Would that be something you’d be interested in? If your answer is yes, then you need to take a good look at the CanalPro CL from Coltene.

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The CanalPro CL is a cordless endo motor that is roughly the size of a Philips Sonicare toothbrush. This, of course, means that it drastically reduces the amount of counter space needed. Also, being cordless, it does not require an outlet during the procedure. These two features alone are game changers from the real estate perspective.

However, there are some other features that make this device a nice one to have as part of your endo armamentarium. The head size is small, which means that it is easier to see, as well as easier to use in small spaces. For patients with a limited opening, as well as working around the rubber dam, this is a great feature. The head can also be rotated into six different rotational positions, which can help make use of the device even easier in tight quarters. 

Continue to the next page to read more about the CanalPro CL's innovative features

Sometimes cordless can be a blessing and sometimes it can be a curse and a lot of that depends on the amount of power supplied by the battery. Let’s face it; being cordless is only a benefit if the cord isn’t needed. If battery life is short and you need to stop and use a corded device, there is truly no advantage. Fortunately the CanalPro CL has a battery life of 80 minutes on a full charge. That makes it good for quite a few procedures in my office. Combine the long battery life with the easy to read “gas gauge” that indicates how much power is remaining and you’ll have to try hard to run out of a charge in the middle of a procedure. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that the only way you’ll ever have that happen is if you simply forget to charge the device ... and, even if that happens, the full recharge time is only 90 minutes.

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One of the other nice features is that it is fully programmable to accept any rotary files. If you are like me, I happen to use more than one type of rotary file, depending upon the tooth, canal anatomy, etc. Because of that, I need an endo motor that will allow me the freedom to use whatever rotary files I feel are necessary. Some motors are only programmed to work with one file system. In a world full of options, what good is that? The CanalPro CL has a memory preset system that allows you to program in the necessary parameters for five different systems. The device comes pre-programmed with the specifications of Coltene’s Hyflex file system, but the other four are open and can be programmed for whatever files you happen to use. Simply contact the file manufacturer and find out the recommended RPM and torque settings. These can be easily programmed into the memory and then selected when needed. Selecting a different pre-program is as simple as just scrolling through the presets and stopping on the one you want.

The device also has a nice feature in auto-reverse. Whenever the maximum torque setting is exceeded, the motor auto-reverses for a few seconds allowing the operator to safely remove it from the canal and inspect it for damage. For those with more clinical experience performing endodontic procedures, the reverse rotation happens for a few seconds and then forward rotation begins again. This allows more experienced operators to go back to treatment faster.

I have been using the CanalPro CL since April and have found it to be a reliable workhorse in my endo armamentarium. If you are looking for a motor that can save you counter space as well as improve your efficiency, you should definitely give the Coltene CanalPro CL a test drive in your practice.    

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About the author

John Flucke, DDS, is Chief Dental Editor for Dental Products Report’s Editorial Advisory Board, Technology Editor for DPR, and dentistry’s “Technology Evangelist.” He practices in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and has followed his passions for both dentistry and technology to become a respected speaker and clinical tester of the latest in dental technology, with a focus on things that provide better care and better experiences for patients. He blogs about technology and life at blog.denticle.com.

This article originally appeared in the September 2014 issue of Dental Products Report. For more great articles about products in action, click here to subscribe: http://bit.ly/17ocF5z