Preventio Hub — independent dental prophylaxis news, reviews, and clinical evidence
Trehalose Air-Polishing Powder: What the 2025 Meta-Analysis Found
A 2025 network meta-analysis pooling nine randomized controlled trials and 462 patients ranked erythritol, trehalose, and glycine as subgingival air-polishing powders. No statistically significant pairwise differences on probing depth, attachment, or bleeding — but the SUCRA scores tell a more nuanced story. Verbatim numbers, primary source (Zi-le et al., Frontiers in Physiology, DOI 10.3389/fphys.2025.1593204), and where trehalose fits in 2026 practice.
Air Polishing Market Grew to $953M in 2026: Who Plays in the Category?
Precedence Research puts the global air polishing systems market at USD 953.98 million in 2026. How the segment splits, which eight brands make up the player tier, and where growth is concentrating.
The Hygienist Shortage Is Reshaping Prophylaxis Adoption in 2026
ADA Health Policy Institute data: only 60% of US dentists report adequate hygienist staffing, and 91.7% of those recruiting call it very or extremely challenging. What that means for prophylaxis equipment decisions.
Patient Dental Anxiety in 2025: What Delta Dental Data Means for Prophylaxis
Delta Dental Institute's October 2025 report: 21% of US adults have avoided dental care because of anxiety, and 59% of them cite fear of pain. What that means for comfort-led prophylaxis.
Q4 2025 Dental Industry Earnings: What Dentsply, Straumann and Align Signal for Prophylaxis
Q4 2025 results from Dentsply Sirona, Straumann Group and Align Technology, and what their restructuring, expansion and digital-workflow bets signal for prophylaxis equipment.
Global Dental Market 2026: Where Is Preventive Care Positioned?
Fortune Business Insights puts the global dental market at USD 44.71 billion in 2026, with preventive and periodontal solutions the fourth of five fastest-growing categories. Where prophylaxis fits.
Air Polishing for Peri-Implantitis in Severe Periodontitis: What the 2026 BMC RCT Found
Dai et al. (BMC Oral Health 26:192, DOI 10.1186/s12903-026-07721-z) randomized 40 stage III/IV periodontitis patients with peri-implantitis to submarginal erythritol air-polishing vs ultrasonic+manual debridement. PPD at 3 months: no significant difference. Soft-tissue inflammation (mSBI) significantly lower in the air-polishing arm. Keratinized mucosa width ≥ 2 mm raised odds of PPD ≤ 5 mm by ~9.8×.
Air Polishing and Aerosol Contamination: What the 2025 Evidence Shows
A 2025 observational study by Mensi et al. (Int J Dent Hyg, DOI 10.1111/idh.12881) found air polishing did not raise airborne bacterial counts above the empty-clinic baseline of 1.45 CFU/L. The highest contamination came from turbine cavity prep with low-volume evacuation, at 7.38 CFU/L. Evacuation choice is the variable that matters.
Hu-Friedy debuts PWR Air at Chicago Midwinter 2026: what the manufacturer disclosed
At Chicago Midwinter 2026, Hu-Friedy introduced PWR Air — a dedicated air-polishing device with dual powder chambers and one-touch switching between supra- and subgingival modes. We cover what's publicly disclosed and what isn't.
Can You Use Air Polishing on Implants? Evidence & Clinical Protocols
Yes — glycine and erythritol are safe and evidence-supported on titanium. Sodium bicarbonate is not. What the 2023–2025 systematic reviews (Delucchi, Bi) show, the powder-selection rule that follows, and the EU-specific availability note that matters in practice.
Air Polisher Troubleshooting: Clogs, Leaks, Powder Caking and Common Fixes
Nine out of ten air polisher service calls trace to five root causes. This pillar guide walks you through the universal failure modes and the fixes — in the order you should investigate them. Brand-specific pages linked inside for NSK, Acteon, Dentsply, and Woodpecker owners.
The combined tabletop system has become the default: 2025–2026 prophylaxis hardware trends
Between IDS 2025 and Chicago Midwinter 2026, every major prophylaxis launch has pointed in the same direction: dual-function tabletop systems combining ultrasonic scaling and air polishing. What it means for European clinics planning a 2026 upgrade.
Erythritol vs Glycine: Clinical Evidence from Recent Trials
A 2025 network meta-analysis of 9 RCTs plus three PubMed-indexed studies on powder selection for subgingival air polishing, implant surface safety, and peri-implant maintenance.
Cordless Air Polishers Are Taking Over — But Are They Ready to Replace Tabletop Units?
Woodpecker, NSK, and Dentsply are all betting on cordless. The promise: more flexibility, less clutter, easier infection control. But how do they hold up against traditional tabletop systems?
GBT, iTOP, and Traditional SRP: Why Your Protocol Matters More Than Your Equipment
Three approaches to prophylaxis, one question: does the protocol matter more than the brand? We compare the evidence, the costs, and the real-world trade-offs.
Woodpecker AP-H Review (2026): Price, Specs, Pros & Cons
A coupling-mounted air polishing handpiece at about €328 ex-VAT in the EU — the lowest-priced branded handpiece we track. Specs, powders, the AP-H Plus option and how it compares with NSK, Acteon, W&H and EMS.
Acteon AIR-N-GO easy Review (2026): Price, Specs, Pros & Cons
A turbine-coupling air polisher that switches between supragingival and subgingival work by changing the nozzle. About €1,035 ex-VAT in the EU (Oct 2026); specs, powders, pros and cons.
The True Cost of Ownership: Air Polishing Systems Over 5 Years
Purchase price is just the beginning. We calculated the real cost — including consumables, maintenance, and tips — for the 6 most popular systems in Europe.
Subgingival Air Polishing: When, How, and With What Powder
The evidence for subgingival use of air polishing is growing. A practical guide to patient selection, powder choice, and technique for periodontal and peri-implant maintenance.
The Complete Buyer's Guide to Air Polishing Systems in 2026
Every major system compared side by side — Acteon, Dentsply, EMS, Hu-Friedy, Mectron, NSK, W&H, and Woodpecker. Specs, pricing, pros, cons, and how to choose.
Best Erythritol Polishing Powders: A 2026 Comparison
Compare leading erythritol brands side-by-side. We evaluate particle size, cost, clinical performance, and suitability for implants, sensitive patients, and subgingival work.
Biofilm Disclosing Before Instrumentation: Evidence, Workflow, and Products Compared
Disclosing biofilm before scaling isn't just a teaching tool — it's a clinical workflow upgrade. We review the evidence, compare products, and show how to integrate it.
Ultrasonic Scaling vs Air Polishing: Complementary, Not Competing
One removes calculus. The other removes biofilm. They're not alternatives — they're partners. Here's how to integrate both into your prophylaxis workflow.
Is Air Polishing Safe? What the Clinical Evidence Shows
Air polishing is well-established and safe when performed with appropriate powder formulations. We review the evidence on enamel, soft tissue, and implant surface safety.
How Does Air Polishing Work? Mechanism, Powders, and Clinical Applications
Air polishing uses compressed air, water, and fine powder particles to remove biofilm and staining. We explain the mechanism, powder types, equipment options, and clinical uses.
Who Should Get Air Polishing? Patient Selection and Clinical Indications
From routine recall to implant maintenance and orthodontic care — a guide to patient selection and powder matching for air polishing.
How to Choose Prophy Powder: A Clinical Decision Tree
Supragingival or subgingival? Implant or natural tooth? Sensitive patient? Follow our evidence-based decision tree to choose the right powder every time.
NSK Prophy-Mate neo Review (2026): Price, Specs, Pros & Cons
NSK's coupling-mounted polishing handpiece: 60° and 80° nozzles, seven coupling versions, autoclavable to 135 °C. About €885–€917 ex-VAT in the EU (Oct 2026).
Dentsply Cavitron Plus Review (2026): Price, Specs, Pros & Cons
A 30 kHz magnetostrictive scaler with a Tap-On wireless pedal and autoclavable Steri-Mate handpiece. EU and UK prices, specs, and how it fits a prophylaxis set-up.