A clinical study measuring dental aerosols with and without a high-volume extraction device

Introduction External high-volume extraction (HVE) devices may offer a way to reduce any aerosol particulate generated. Aims The aim of this study was to measure the particle count during dental aerosol generating procedures and compare the results with when a HVE device is used. Design A comparative clinical study measuring the amount of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 aerosol particulate with and without the use of an external HVE device was undertaken. Materials and methods In total, ten restorative procedures were monitored with an industrial Trotec PC220 particle counter. The intervention was an external HVE device. Main outcome methods The air sampler was placed at the average working distance of the clinicians involved in the study - 420 mm. Results In the present study, aerosol particulate was recorded at statistically significantly increased levels during dental procedures without an external HVE deviceversus with the device. Discussion The null hypothesis was rejected, in that significant differences were found between the results of the amount of aerosol particle count with and without a HVE device. Conclusion If the results of the present study are repeated in an in vivo setting, an external high-volume suction device may potentially show a lower risk of transmission of viral particulate.