Isolite i2 Dryfield Illuminator

Visibility

Isolite Systems describes this device as providing bright shadowless illumination throughout the oral cavity. By lighting the patient’s mouth from within, shadows are reduced or eliminated. In addition, LED technology eliminates the need for a light box and fiber optic cables. The manufacturer also says that the Isolite mouthpiece provides immediate tongue and cheek retraction. The mouthpiece also serves as a barrier, protecting the patient’s throat from aspiration or dropped material.
All of the evaluators rated Isolite as excellent for improved visibility. One of the evaluators said, “Amazing how it keeps those powerful tongues out of the way.” Another evaluator noted that there is “no clamp in the way for second molars.”

Isolation and Moisture Control

According to research performed by Melkers, isolation with Isolite is drier than a rubber dam.1 The manufacturer says that the benefits of Isolite include easier patient aspiration with less repetitive motion, reduced airborne aerosols, and less mirror fogging., and better dental outcomes.
When asked about isolation and moisture control, 7 evaluators rated Isolite as excellent and 1 rated it as very good. One evaluator noted that he has found “no humidity from breath either.”

Patient Safety and Comfort

The manufacturer states that patients don’t have to strain to keep their mouths open when a dentist uses Isolite. The built-in bite block allows patients to keep their mouths open during the entire procedure but with their jaw in a resting position.
Seven of the evaluators rated Isolite as excellent to very good with regard to patient safety and comfort; 1 rated it as good. “Patients love it in comparison to [rubber] dams,” said 1 evaluator.
“They can rest instead of working so hard to stay open.” Another evaluator said that Isolite is “great for keeping things from going down [the] throat. Every once in a blue moon a patient can’t tolerate it.”

Dental Procedure Outcome

When the evaluators were asked to rate Isolite on improved dental procedure outcomes, 7 rated it as excellent and 1 rated it as very good. “Moisture control is key for good bonding,” noted one evaluator. “This product is excellent in helping with this.” Another evaluator said that Isolite gives him “confidence in improving quality, especially isolation for ceramic bonding.”

Ease of Use

The evaluators gave Isolite high marks for ease of use, rating it excellent to very good. One evaluator commented that the system was “up and running in 5 minutes.”

Office Productivity

The manufacturer states that dentists, dental assistants, and hygienists who are using Isolite are reducing procedure times by 20% to 30%. When the dentist evaluators were asked to rate Isolite on improved productivity, 100% rated the device as excellent. One evaluator said that the tool is “like having another dental assistant for $2 an hour.” Another evaluator commented that it “allows staff to take on other responsibilities instead of being tied to the chair.” A third dentist who participated in the evaluation said that Isolite provides him with a “huge time savings over [a] rubber dam for my CEREC procedures.”

Overall Satisfaction

When the dentist evaluators were asked if they would recommend Isolite to their dental colleagues, all of them said definitely. In addition, all of the evaluators said they would definitely purchase Isolite in the future.
When asked to give their overall satisfaction rating for the product, 100% rated it as excellent. One evaluator said that Isolite “frees chairside staff to do other duties, reducing behind schedule stress, while improving daily productivity.”