Product Evaluation

ULTRADENT

Ultrapro™ Tx Sweep

With an innovative brush guard, Ultrapro Tx Sweep reduces up to 95% of prophy paste splatter

Whether you’re apologizing to patients, wiping off equipment, or tossing scrubs into the laundry, prophy-related splatter can range from annoying to embarrassing while also wasting time and undermining efficiency. If you’ve come to view splatter as inevitable, you might want to consider the benefits of Ultrapro Tx Sweep, a disposable prophy angle with a unique design that, according to Ultradent, reduces up to 95% of prophy paste splatter.

Ultrapro Tx Sweep is designed with an innovative brush guard with flexible bristles that greatly reduces splatter by preventing saliva and paste from collecting and roping around the cup. The polishing cup, available in a soft or firm design, sweeps the prophy paste back toward the tooth, allowing the user to continue working with fewer stops for paste refills. Additional benefits include an advanced internal blade design, outer ridges for interproximal cleaning, a short head and slim neck design for better access and visibility, optimal flare, and an ergonomic shape.

“It’s amazing how splatter was basically reduced to zero,” said Monica Rogers, RDH, one of many dental hygienists enjoying the benefits of the Ultrapro Tx Sweep disposable prophy angles. “In my opinion, this is the most innovative angle to come on to the market since I began practicing 20 years ago.”

Splatter Reduction

“It’s so different seeing the splatter guards at first, but once I used [Ultrapro Tx Sweep] I was sold,” shared Pat Brune, RDH. “I love the brush sweep on the cup; it stops the splatter,” declared Joy Driscoll, RDH, and hygienist Rhonda Smith agreed that “the design reduces splatter extremely effectively.” Heather Runion, a hygienist in a pediatric dental practice, said the Ultrapro Tx Sweep “completely eliminated splatter” and said they were especially helpful for patients with very active saliva glands and for patients who gag easily. “The sweeper is great at keeping excess saliva from wrapping around the polishing cup and keeping prophy paste from flying outside the patient’s mouth,” noted Rogers, who also said she appreciated the brush guard’s flexibility to move out of the way when accessing tight areas.

According to Lynne Ramer, LDH, not only did the design prevent prophy paste splatter, but “it even helped enhance visibility with patients who have lots of saliva by reducing the amount of saliva pooling around the prophy cup!” Amanda Adams, RDH, also commented on improved visibility, saying, “I work in a pediatric office where the kids are moving and anxious, making visibility difficult; this product helps with less splatter, allowing me to see better in the oral cavity.” Cathy Hendrickson, RDH, said she enjoyed using it “because there was a very predictable outcome every time.”

Cup Design

Ultrapro Tx Sweep disposable prophy angles feature color-coded cups to easily identify firm or soft prophy angles. “I enjoyed both the soft and hard cups since they both worked great at polishing and reducing splatter,” shared Brune, who suggested a smaller cup size for children. Ramer commented that “the ribbed cup design is a bonus,” and Rogers said she would like to see this in contra-angle form for easier access and better ergonomics. Calling the Ultrapro Tx Sweep easy to use and efficient at removing plaque, Runion said the cup was a bit difficult to flex in some younger children, but declared, “It’s a great prophy cup in regard to splatter reduction.”

Increased Efficiency

Using the Ultrapro Tx Sweep prophy angles “makes the appointment more efficient because you don’t have to stop to manage a prophy cup that’s wrapped in thick saliva,” noted Rogers. She explained how the product facilitated treatment of a special needs patient with thick saliva. “I could get in and out of the mouth quickly without having to wipe the cup off. Anything that makes it easier to manage patients and keeps them comfortable and safe without debris flying around is a game changer,” she said.

Diana O’Neill, RDH, said she saved time by not having to stop and clean off the cup because of saliva buildup, while Smith said the sweep feature was sometimes hard to adapt in tight spaces. Ramer appreciated that prophy paste was not “being flung all over the place,” which she said improved her chairside experience, especially because she didn’t have to change lab coats during the day. “I enjoyed polishing and it was easy to attach to the handpiece and use,” Hendrickson told DPS.

"I love the brush sweep on the cup; it stops the splatter!"
-Joy Driscoll, RDH
For Collins, CO

Overall Satisfaction

Most of the evaluators said they would recommend Ultrapro Tx Sweep to colleagues, including Rogers, who said, “It made polishing a faster, easier process. It’s a product that lives up to its promises. Not a single angle was faulty.” Adams considers this product to be better than what is currently on the market, and Hendrickson announced, “This prophy angle ranks up there in the best 2 to 3 I have used in my years of practice.” Ramer concluded,

“Finally, a prophy angle designed to reduce splatter that actually delivers. I would highly recommend the Ultrapro Tx Sweep.” And Driscoll summed up her experience with the product by saying, “No more splatter; it doesn’t get any better than that!”

Takeaways

• Reduces up to 95% of splatter compared to other prophy angles

• Innovative brush guard prevents saliva and paste from collecting and roping around cup

• Polishing cup sweeps paste back toward the tooth, reducing need for refills

• Short head and slim neck improve access and visibility

• Soft or firm cups are color-coded