Product Evaluation

MICROCOPY

Flaps

Soft cushioning and innovative design bring exceptional comfort and convenience to the x-ray experience

Many patients dread their annual dental x-rays, knowing they will soon feel sharp edges digging into their gums, eyes watering from the pain while trying not to gag, desperately trying to keep still for just a few more seconds. And when children experience an uncomfortable fi rst dental x-ray, that can set the stage for years of fearful and uncooperative dental visits.

But patients aren’t the only ones who experience anxiety and frustration over x-rays. Dental practitioners often spend a considerable amount of time positioning—and repositioning—bitewings or sensors, trying to move quickly to end their patient’s anguish while still obtaining accurate radiographic images. Forced to deal with retakes and delays that can set them behind schedule, many hygienists are willing to try anything to make the x-ray process go more smoothly.

With Flaps foam bite tabs, Microcopy offers a solution to improve the patient experience and make life easier for everyone involved in the x-ray process. When a group of dental hygienists tested Flaps selfsticking, disposable foam tabs for DPS, Twyla Rader, LDH, discovered that patients like the “cushiony feel” and said they are “easy to adhere to the sensor.” Explaining that Flaps are “better than paper bitewing tabs—softer and easier for the patient,” hygienist Amy Corder said she no longer needs an x-ray holder, which can add extra bulk.

Ease of Use

Available in 2 types—original for sizes 0, 1, and 2 x-rays and long for sizes 0, 1, and 2 sensors—the self-sticking, disposable foam tabs attach quickly, position easily, and hold the fi lm or sensor securely, allowing full occlusion and providing visual reference for accurate placement and alignment. “Flaps are quick to set up and even easier to dispose of and prepare for the next patient,” said Trish Walraven, a hygienist who found that “even the smaller Flaps are adequate for 90% of patients for comfort and quality of bitewing imaging.” Rader said that sometimes the “stickiness would fail in mouths with high salivary flow,” while Elizabeth Dooher-Anthony, RDH, said they had “good grip for the sensor” and appreciates that they are single use. Hygienist Cathy Hendrickson called them “very easy to use” but said the sensor sometimes wanted to rotate, and Sarah Hester, RDH, suggested, “Longer tabs might allow better hold and positioning with the sensor in the mouth.”

Patient Comfort

Made with latex-free, soft polyethylene foam and free of hard surfaces, Flaps are comfortable for patients, and the small size reduces gagging, improving patient compliance. “When a patient had a hard time with the XCP set, I switched to the foam tab, and she said it was easier to bite down because there were no sharp edges,” reported hygienist Yudith Alcaraz, who said “the foam was much more comfortable and the sticky part made the foam stay put.” Corey Skriver, RDH, found that Flaps “help tremendously when you have a patient who gags easily,” and Hester said, “Less hard plastic in the patient’s mouth was more comfortable.” Corder said the Flaps tabs “stick well” and called them soft and flexible, and Walraven noted, “Patients seem to gag less and feel more comfortable having x-rays taken.” Praising “the cushion feel of the tabs,” Jennifer Colburn, RDH, said her “pediatric patients are more comfortable [with Flaps], improving compliance and radiographic results.” When Linda Alton, RDH, told kids to “bite on the pillow,” she said they were “more comfortable than with flat tabs,” and Dooher-Anthony said Flaps work great for children having their fi rst x-rays. “Patients see the smaller size and comply so much more easily, which, in turn, makes radiographs go faster for children and adults,” concluded Michelle Wood, RDH.

Image Quality

The ease of use and patient comfort allow clinicians to obtain accurate x-rays with Flaps in place. When encountering an uncooperative child, Alton said Flaps worked great, allowing the patient to bite correctly, “making it easier on the patient and hygienist, who was successful in getting a great image.” Suggesting half sizes for very small children, Skriver said she prefers using Flaps because they are easy to use and can be customized for each patient. “The foam cushion is comfortable to bite on and allows patients to not bite too hard, which allows a nice space between upper and lower teeth, [producing a] good image,” reported Alton. Another hygienist called Flaps “firmer for patients to bite on so we could get a good picture on the first try,” and Wood said, “They can be placed easily for PA or BW, horizontal and vertical,” explaining, “If I need to get somewhere tricky I place the tab wherever I need it.”

"[Using Flaps] improves the patient experience, which always improves the practice.”

Elizabeth DooherAnthony, RDH

Rochester, NY

Overall Satisfaction

Noting that her dental practice has used Flaps since 2008, Walraven said they have “never looked for alternatives because Flaps continue to meet our needs. It’s the easiest way to take comfortable digital bitewings that I’ve ever used.” Reporting that “patient comfort is optimal, which, in turn, increased their satisfaction,” Alcaraz told DPS, “Happy patients make our job easier,” and Dooher-Anthony concluded, “[Using Flaps] improves the patient experience, which always improves the practice.”

Takeaways

• Self-sticking, disposable foam tabs attach quickly and position easily
• Cushioned tab holds film or sensor securely
• Allows full occlusion and provides visual reference for accurate placement and alignment
• Soft cushioning without hard surfaces improves comfort, while small size reduces gagging