Preventio Hub. Last updated: October 16, 2026.
The two routes to air polishing: a handpiece that mounts on the high-speed (turbine) coupling of your dental unit and uses its air and water, or a combined tabletop unit that puts an ultrasonic scaler and an air polisher in one console with its own power, water and air connections. This page compares published specifications and regulatory records. We have not bench-tested any device and do not rank them.
Short answer
- A handpiece adds air polishing to a chair you already have and a scaler you already own. It is generally the lower-outlay route; price on request, so confirm with quotes.
- A combined unit replaces the scaler too and adds features a handpiece cannot supply by itself, such as heated water and a dedicated control panel.
- The right choice depends on your dental unit's coupling and air pressure, whether you want to keep your current scaler, powders, and how you reprocess.
What each is
| Handpiece | Combined tabletop unit | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Acteon AIR-N-GO easy; EMS AIRFLOW Handy 3.0 / 3.0 PLUS; NSK Prophy-Mate neo; Woodpecker AP-H; KaVo PROPHYflex 4 | EMS GBT Machine and AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master; Mectron Combi Touch; NSK Varios Combi Pro2; Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Jet Plus |
| What it does | Air polishing only | Ultrasonic scaling plus air polishing |
| Power | None (uses the unit) | Mains power (100-240 V on most; NSK Varios Combi Pro2 U.S. model is 100-120 V) |
| FDA category (examples) | Class I air polishing handpieces under 21 CFR 872.4200 (e.g., K110379 AIR-N-GO, K112673 Prophy-Mate neo, K221548 Woodpecker AP-H Plus) | Class II ultrasonic scalers under 21 CFR 872.4850 (e.g., K190124, K231391, K253254, K260773) |
| Price | Price on request | Price on request |
Supply requirements, as published
| Device | Air | Water | Weight / size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acteon AIR-N-GO easy (handpiece) | Static 3-4 bar at the coupling (about 44-58 psi) | 5 bar max (about 73 psi); 15 ± 5 ml/min at the nozzle | 114-155 g depending on adaptor; length 180-205 mm | Acteon manual |
| EMS AIRFLOW Handy 3.0 (handpiece) | Static 2.7-3.5 bar (about 39-51 psi) | 1-2.2 bar (about 15-32 psi); 50-80 ml/min | About 150 g | EMS manual FB-568 (2013 edition; confirm for the PLUS version) |
| Woodpecker AP-H (handpiece) | 3.5-4.5 bar (about 51-65 psi) | 0.7-2.2 bar | 119-125 g | Supplier listings (confirm in Woodpecker IFU) |
| EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master (combined) | 4.5-7 bar, dry (about 65-102 psi) | 2-5 bar (about 29-73 psi) | 245 × 260 × 290 mm; up to 5 kg | EMS IFU |
| Mectron Combi Touch (combined) | 4-8 bar (about 58-116 psi) | 1-6 bar (about 15-87 psi) or 500 ml bottle | 410 × 260 × 145 mm; 4.8 kg | Mectron manual |
| NSK Varios Combi Pro2 U.S. (combined) | Not found | Not found (irrigation bottle set) | 249 × 290 × 215 mm; 3.5 kg | NSK USA |
| Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Jet Plus (combined) | 65-100 psig | 20-40 psig | 4.4 lb (2 kg) | Dentsply Sirona IFU |
Check the pressure your own dental unit delivers at the coupling before you order a handpiece: it must fall within the handpiece's published range. Ask suppliers for the coupling version for your unit, including Midwest-style connections common in U.S. operatories.
Regulatory records (checked October 16, 2026)
| Device | FDA 510(k) | Health Canada licence |
|---|---|---|
| Acteon AIR-N-GO easy | K110379 "AIR-N-GO" (confirm it covers the easy model) | 96377 |
| EMS AIRFLOW Handy 3.0 / PLUS | K132478; K151912 | 104102 (Handy 3.0 handpiece) |
| NSK Prophy-Mate neo | K112673 | No licence found |
| Woodpecker AP-H | K221548 is the AP-H Plus (confirm the AP-H) | 114459 (family licence; confirm model) |
| EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master | K190124 | 102646 |
| EMS GBT Machine | K253254 | 114177 |
| Mectron Combi Touch | K231391 | 98936 |
| NSK Varios Combi Pro2 | K260773 | 115743 |
| Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Jet Plus | Confirm with supplier | 70193 |
A 510(k) is a finding of substantial equivalence, not FDA approval. A missing record means we could not verify it.
Powders and labeling
- Handpiece labeling is set by the maker: for example the NSK Prophy-Mate neo summary (K112673) states sodium bicarbonate should not be used on patients on a saltless diet, with a renal deficiency, chronic respiratory disease or chronic diarrhea. EMS's AIRFLOW One IFU lists similar precautions (chronic bronchitis and asthma, low-salt diet with sodium bicarbonate).
- Combined units are listed with specific powders: Mectron's FDA summary names sodium bicarbonate-based and glycine-based powders; EMS's units are cleared with CLASSIC, SOFT, PERIO and PLUS (erythritol, K171189).
- Dentsply Sirona's IFU says using a powder other than Cavitron prophy powders voids the warranty on its air polishing systems; Mectron says non-original powders void its warranty (confirm the wording with your supplier).
Reprocessing and infection control
CDC says handpieces and attachments that can be removed from the dental unit's air and water lines must be cleaned and heat sterilized between patients, following the validated manufacturer instructions; surface disinfection is not acceptable, and a handpiece that cannot be heat sterilized and lacks validated reprocessing instructions should not be used. Published figures: NSK states Prophy-Mate neo autoclaving up to 135 °C; EMS gives 1,000 sterilization cycles for AIRFLOW MAX handpiece bodies and 800 for the older Handy 3.0 manual. For dental unit water quality, CDC recommends 500 CFU/mL or less of heterotrophic bacteria in output water for routine non-surgical treatment.
Which fits which practice?
A handpiece may fit if: you already have a scaler you like; you want air polishing in several operatories at low outlay; your dental units have a compatible coupling and enough air pressure. A combined unit may fit if: you are replacing or adding a scaler; you want heated water and one control panel; you want subgingival air polishing handpieces designed with the console (see each device's labeling); you have bench space (3.5 to 5 kg and roughly 10 to 16 in long) and the compressed air and water connections. Consider a third route - an air-only tabletop (EMS AIRFLOW One, Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Prophy-Jet) - if you want a dedicated console without replacing your scaler.
Questions to ask suppliers
- What is the FDA 510(k) or Health Canada licence number for this exact model and kit?
- (Handpiece) Is there an adaptor for my coupling, and what air pressure does it need at the coupling in psi?
- (Combined) What air and water pressure and what power does it need, and is it the 100-120 V or 100-240 V version?
- Which powders are included and which are covered by the warranty?
- How many sterilization cycles are validated and what are the reprocessing steps?
- What is the service turnaround in my state or province, and is a loan unit available?
Frequently asked questions
Which costs less?
Price on request for all models. We request quotes from several suppliers and aim to get you the best price.
Can a handpiece do subgingival polishing?
Some handpieces are labeled for it with a perio nozzle and low-abrasive powder (for example, Acteon's PERIO nozzles with glycine; EMS's PLUS handpiece for pockets up to 4 mm per EMS). Check each device's labeling.
Do I still need a separate scaler with a handpiece?
Yes. A handpiece only air-polishes.
Related pages
- Air Polisher Buyer's Guide 2026
- Combined tabletop systems compared
- EMS AIRFLOW One vs Acteon AIR-N-GO easy
- Device sheet: Mectron Combi Touch
- Device sheet: NSK Varios Combi Pro2
- Device sheet: EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master
Sources (checked October 16, 2026)
- Acteon AIR-N-GO easy manual: www.primedentalsupply.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/8622
- EMS AIRFLOW Handy 3.0 manual FB-568 (2013 edition); EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master IFU FB-618; EMS AIRFLOW One IFU FB-621
- Mectron combi touch manual; Mectron U.S. page: dental.mectron.com/us/products/airpolishing/units/combi-touch/
- NSK USA Varios Combi Pro2: www.nskdental.com/products/oral-hygiene/oral-vcp-2/ ; NSK Prophy-Mate neo FDA summary K112673
- Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Jet Plus / Cavitron Plus IFU: dentsplysirona.com/IFU
- Woodpecker AP-H specifications: supplier listings (confirm with supplier)
- FDA 510(k) via api.fda.gov/device/510k.json ; Health Canada MDALL health-products.canada.ca/api/medical-devices/
- CDC Best Practices for Dental Handpieces: www.cdc.gov/dental-infection-control/hcp/dental-ipc-faqs/dental-handpieces.html ; CDC Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings: doi.org/10.15620/cdc/40077 ; CDC Dental Unit Water Quality: www.cdc.gov/dental-infection-control/hcp/summary/dental-unit-water-quality.html
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