How to Reduce Splatter and Speed Up Polishing (Without Losing Finish)
Intro
Splatter isn’t just messy — it steals time, breaks your rhythm, and can make patients feel like the appointment is chaotic. The fastest prophies aren’t aggressive. They’re controlled. With the right paste feel, angle, and motion, you can move faster and deliver a cleaner finish.
1) Start with viscosity: control beats speed
Thin paste tends to fling. Creamier paste stays seated in the cup and on the tooth. When the paste stays where you place it:
2) The angle rule: 90° creates spray
Splatter peaks when the cup is perpendicular to enamel. Aim for 45°–60° with gentle pressure. You’ll feel the cup hug the tooth instead of bouncing.
3) Dry sweep first on heavy plaque or stain
For high-biofilm or stain cases, don’t open with paste. Do a quick dry sweep first to remove bulk debris, then introduce paste. Paste behaves better on cleaner surfaces.
4) Short overlapping arcs beat long sweeps
Long fast passes create spray and missed spots. Use small overlapping arcs, controlled movement, and tiny pauses on flat surfaces. It feels slower, but finishes faster because you don’t rework areas.
5) One rinse should do it
A paste that rinses clean should come off in one pass. If you’re rinsing twice or wiping residue, that’s usually paste behavior or amount used.
Grit framework
Finish with fine whenever possible for comfort and shine.
Quick Takeaways
Closing
Controlled polishing makes hygiene days feel smooth instead of rushed. When paste stays put, rinses clean, and your angles stay consistent, speed becomes a natural outcome — not something you force.
How to Reduce Splatter and Speed Up Polishing (Without Losing Finish)
Intro
Splatter isn’t just messy — it steals time, breaks your rhythm, and can make patients feel like the appointment is chaotic. The fastest prophies aren’t aggressive. They’re controlled. With the right paste feel, angle, and motion, you can move faster and deliver a cleaner finish.
1) Start with viscosity: control beats speed
Thin paste tends to fling. Creamier paste stays seated in the cup and on the tooth. When the paste stays where you place it:
2) The angle rule: 90° creates spray
Splatter peaks when the cup is perpendicular to enamel. Aim for 45°–60° with gentle pressure. You’ll feel the cup hug the tooth instead of bouncing.
3) Dry sweep first on heavy plaque or stain
For high-biofilm or stain cases, don’t open with paste. Do a quick dry sweep first to remove bulk debris, then introduce paste. Paste behaves better on cleaner surfaces.
4) Short overlapping arcs beat long sweeps
Long fast passes create spray and missed spots. Use small overlapping arcs, controlled movement, and tiny pauses on flat surfaces. It feels slower, but finishes faster because you don’t rework areas.
5) One rinse should do it
A paste that rinses clean should come off in one pass. If you’re rinsing twice or wiping residue, that’s usually paste behavior or amount used.
Grit framework
Finish with fine whenever possible for comfort and shine.
Quick Takeaways
Closing
Controlled polishing makes hygiene days feel smooth instead of rushed. When paste stays put, rinses clean, and your angles stay consistent, speed becomes a natural outcome — not something you force.