Combined Tabletop Systems Compared (2026): Specs and Prices
Seven combined ultrasonic and air polishing units, side by side: Acteon OPUS, Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Jet Plus, EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master, EMS GBT Machine, Mectron Combi Touch, NSK Varios Combi Pro2 and Woodpecker PT-E. Published specifications and public prices only.
How we compiled this: every figure below comes from manufacturer documentation (instructions for use, product pages, launch material) or from prices that dental distributors list publicly, checked on 8 October 2026. Preventio Hub has not bench-tested these units and does not rank or rate them. Systems are listed in alphabetical order. Where a figure is not published, we say so.
What is a combined tabletop system?
A combined tabletop system puts ultrasonic scaling and air polishing in one unit, controlled from one interface and fed by one water supply. Most models offer separate air polishing handpieces or nozzles for supragingival and subgingival work. The alternatives are a standalone air polishing tabletop or a coupling-mounted air polishing handpiece used with a separate scaler; see our 2026 buyer's guide and equipment directory.
Two facts shape the European market. EMS holds the European patent on erythritol air polishing powder, so on the EU market only EMS units use erythritol; the others use glycine, sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate. And EMS designs its units around its own Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) protocol; see our comparison of prophylaxis protocols.
Seven systems compared
Published specifications and public prices, in alphabetical order. Prices are ex-VAT unless marked as UK retail, and were checked on 8 October 2026.
| Specification | Acteon OPUS | Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Jet Plus | EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master | EMS GBT Machine | Mectron Combi Touch | NSK Varios Combi Pro2 | Woodpecker PT-E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrasonic | Newtron piezo; compatible with 70+ Newtron tips; ColourDrive power coding; QuickSense handpiece recognition | Cavitron 30K ultrasonic scaler (30,000 strokes per second, per an older service manual) | PIEZON piezo, 24–32 kHz, up to 8 W output; PIEZON NO PAIN with PS instrument | PIEZON PS NO PAIN MAX module; automatic handpiece recognition | Piezo, 24–36 kHz automatic scan; modes endo, perio/scaler, restorative, soft | Varios piezo, 28–32 kHz, up to 11 W; titanium scaler handpieces | Piezo, 30 ± 5 kHz, 3–20 W; six ultrasonic modes |
| Air polishing | Silky Pen handpiece with four nozzles (Supra, Perio easy, Perio, Perio Maintenance) | Integrated air polisher | AIRFLOW MAX (supragingival) and PERIOFLOW (subgingival) handpieces | AIRFLOW and PERIOFLOW, with an automated GBT mode | Prophy and Perio functions; two removable powder containers; 120°, PERIO and optional 90° nozzles | Powder handpiece (Prophy) plus a jet nozzle for the perio powder handpiece | Separate supragingival (AP-3L) and subgingival (AP-3M) handpieces; LED |
| Powders (EU) | Acteon Silky Supra and Silky Perio powders in the starter kit | PROPHY-JET sodium bicarbonate; an older service manual also lists JET-Fresh (aluminium trihydroxide) | EMS powders only (per EMS distributor): AIRFLOW PLUS (erythritol), CLASSIC comfort (sodium bicarbonate) | EMS powders (designed around EMS's GBT protocol) | Sodium bicarbonate and glycine (no erythritol in the EU) | NSK FLASH pearl (calcium carbonate); check NSK's IFU for perio powders (no erythritol in the EU) | Glycine (Super Powder in the EU) and sodium bicarbonate |
| Water heating | Not listed in the documentation we reviewed | Not listed in the documentation we reviewed | Five settings: unheated, 25, 30, 35, 40 °C | Not stated in the launch material we reviewed | Heating element for the polishing water | Not listed in the documentation we reviewed | Four settings each for scaling and air polishing (25–40 °C for polishing) |
| Size and weight | W 250 × H 270 × D 320 mm; 3.7 kg | Not listed for the current model (an older service manual gives 2 kg) | H 245 × W 260 × L 290 mm; up to 5 kg (full) | Not found in the documentation we reviewed | L 410 × W 260 × H 145 mm; 4.8 kg | W 249 × D 290 × H 115 mm; 3.5 kg without bottle and chamber | Not found in the documentation we reviewed |
| Foot control | Four-function wired pedal | Tap-On technology (per DMI and DD Group listings) | Wireless (Bluetooth) with boost | Not stated in the launch material we reviewed | Foot pedal (model FS-05) | Wireless multi-function | Wireless multifunction pedal plus wired on/off pedal |
| Public price | £6,295 UK retail (DD Group); EU price on request | €8,143 ex-VAT, Dentaltix FR (shown unavailable); €5,657.61 DMI Ireland (VAT treatment not stated); £5,522.82 UK retail (DD Group) | Not publicly listed by the EU/UK distributors we checked | Not publicly listed by the distributors we checked | €6,190 ex-VAT (Perio configuration) or €6,890 with trolley, Dentaltix FR | €5,833–€5,899 ex-VAT, Dentaltix FR/ES; £7,196.98 UK retail | €6,399–€6,999 ex-VAT (Esadental IT; Foquim PT incl. trolley) |
Acteon OPUS
French combined unit launched at IDS 2025
Pairs Newtron piezoelectric scaling, compatible with more than 70 Newtron tips, with the Silky Pen air polisher and its four nozzles (Supra, Perio easy, Perio, Perio Maintenance). Acteon describes the air polisher as designed against clogging (CloggingControl). A UK distributor lists ColourDrive colour-coded power selection, QuickSense handpiece recognition, a touchscreen usable with wet gloves, a four-function wired pedal, an 800 ml water tank, W 250 × H 270 × D 320 mm and 3.7 kg. The starter kit includes Acteon Silky Supra and Silky Perio powders.
Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Jet Plus
Dentsply Sirona combined unit with a Cavitron 30K scaler
Combines a Cavitron 30K ultrasonic scaler and an air polisher in one unit; DMI and DD Group list it with Tap-On technology. An older service manual for the unit (published before Tap-On) gives 30,000 strokes per second, a weight of 2 kg and two powders, PROPHY-JET sodium bicarbonate and JET-Fresh aluminium trihydroxide. Dentsply Sirona also sells a standalone air polisher, the Cavitron Prophy-Jet, which does not include a scaler.
EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master
EMS combined unit, succeeded by the GBT Machine
AIRFLOW (supragingival), PERIOFLOW (subgingival) and PIEZON scaling (24–32 kHz, up to 8 W) in one unit, with a touch panel, five water-temperature settings and a wireless pedal. EMS's instructions for use give H 245 × W 260 × L 290 mm and up to 5 kg. An EMS distributor states that EMS devices are designed and tested for use with EMS powders only, including AIRFLOW PLUS erythritol.
Read the full review →EMS GBT Machine
EMS combined unit launched at IDS 2025
Presented by EMS as the successor to the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master. EMS lists automatic handpiece recognition, an automated GBT mode that sets power and water when a handpiece is lifted, a PIEZON PS NO PAIN MAX module, a MyEMS connected dashboard for treatment and device data, a single water bottle supplying both handpieces and, according to EMS, 30% less plastic.
Mectron Combi Touch
Italian combined unit with two powder containers
A piezoelectric scaler scanning 24–36 kHz, with endo, perio/scaler, restorative and soft modes, plus an air polisher with Prophy and Perio functions, two removable powder containers and heated polishing water. Mectron's manual gives L 410 × W 260 × H 145 mm, 4.8 kg and intermittent operation (55 s on / 30 s off with irrigation).
Read the full review →NSK Varios Combi Pro2
Japanese combined unit, successor to the Varios Combi Pro
A Varios piezoelectric scaler (28–32 kHz, up to 11 W) with titanium handpieces and an air polisher with a Prophy powder handpiece and a jet nozzle for the perio powder handpiece. NSK lists W 249 × D 290 × H 115 mm, 3.5 kg without bottle and chamber, a wireless multi-function foot control and AC 220–240 V. Distributors list auto-cleaning modes and a CLM waterline mode.
Read the full review →Woodpecker PT-E
Chinese combined unit with dual water heating
A piezoelectric scaler (30 ± 5 kHz, 3–20 W, six modes) and an air polisher with separate supragingival and subgingival handpieces, an LED air polishing handpiece, four heating settings each for scaling and polishing, a 1,400 ml water tank, a touch interface in 15 languages and a wireless multifunction pedal. In the EU, Woodpecker's Super Powder is a glycine formulation.
Procurement checklist
Questions to put to each distributor before signing, whichever brand you are considering.
- What is the ex-VAT price, and exactly what does it include (trolley, handpieces, nozzles, starter powders)?
- Which powders does the unit accept in the EU, and what do they cost per bottle?
- Does the unit need mains water and compressed air, and at what pressures?
- What is the written service turnaround, and is a loan unit available during repairs?
- How long is the warranty, and does it depend on annual servicing?
- Will the unit replace your current scaler, or sit alongside it?
- How much bench or cart space do you have, measured against the published dimensions?
- Is the model current, or has it been succeeded, and what support horizon applies?
- Can you run it in your own surgery for a half-day demonstration before buying?
Frequently asked questions
What is a combined tabletop system?
A tabletop unit that combines ultrasonic scaling and air polishing, controlled from one interface and fed by one water supply. A standalone air polisher or a coupling-mounted handpiece delivers air polishing only.
Which combined tabletop systems can use erythritol powder in the EU?
Only EMS units. EMS holds the European patent on erythritol air polishing powder, so the Acteon, Dentsply Sirona, Mectron, NSK and Woodpecker units use other powders on the EU market, such as glycine, sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate.
Which units have public EU prices?
In October 2026 a major EU online distributor listed the Mectron Combi Touch (from €6,190 ex-VAT) and the NSK Varios Combi Pro2 (€5,833–€5,899 ex-VAT); Italian and Portuguese distributors listed the Woodpecker PT-E at €6,399–€6,999 ex-VAT. Dentaltix France listed the Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Jet Plus at €8,143 ex-VAT (shown as unavailable) and DMI Ireland at €5,657.61 (VAT treatment not stated). The Acteon OPUS had a UK retail price of £6,295. We found no public price for the EMS units.
Do I need GBT certification to use an EMS unit?
No. GBT is EMS's protocol and EMS designs its units around it, but the units can be used without certification. EMS offers GBT training and certification for practices that adopt the protocol.
How much bench space do these units need?
Published dimensions range from W 249 × D 290 × H 115 mm (NSK Varios Combi Pro2) to L 410 × W 260 × H 145 mm (Mectron Combi Touch). We did not find published dimensions for the Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Jet Plus, the EMS GBT Machine or the Woodpecker PT-E. Check the figures against your bench or cart before ordering.
What should I ask a distributor before buying?
The ex-VAT price and exactly what it includes (trolley, handpieces, starter powders), powder prices, service turnaround and loan units, warranty length, and installation requirements for water and air pressure.
Sources
- Acteon OPUS: DD Group listing (specifications, kit, UK price) and Dental Tribune product page.
- Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Jet Plus: DMI Ireland listing; DD Group listing; Dentaltix listing; older service manual (PDF); Dentsply Sirona Prophy-Jet page.
- EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master: EMS instructions for use, technical description; Optident listing.
- EMS GBT Machine: EMS launch announcement as reported by Scottish Dental magazine (March 2025).
- Mectron Combi Touch: Mectron manual, technical data; Dentaltix listing.
- NSK Varios Combi Pro2: NSK product info; DD Group listing; Dentaltix listing.
- Woodpecker PT-E: Esadental listing; Foquim Dental listing.