Gadgets and Armamentarium of Maxillofacial Surgeons during Coronavirus Pandemic

We all know about the grave situation caused by the novel coronavirus in recent times. Although the maxillofacial surgeons are not at forefront of dealing with the coronavirus directly, they are at increased risk due to their working area on face, mouth, and oral cavity. There is an urgent need to upgrade the already set guidelines and follow them stringently. Any procedure done within the oral cavity is a high-risk procedure and this upgradation is necessary because present means are insufficient to prevent infection from this deadly virus. This article aims to review and discuss all the new gadgets and armamentarium required to deal with patients during and post coronavirus pandemic.

The authors performed a thorough literature search on various armamentarium and new gadgets introduced into the field of dentistry during the coronavirus pandemic worldwide. The relevant armamentarium is discussed under three broad headings, namely, those required before, during and after the procedures for easy understanding.

A total of 15 gadgets and armamentarium related to oral and maxillofacial surgical practice are named and discussed in the literature review.

We are particularly vulnerable to the transmission of diseases easily both due to the field of interest of work and type of instrumentation. Thus, we need to be extremely cautious about the procedure. Since, the literature is scarce about the sequelae of the coronavirus disease; shift to the automated, contactless gadgets is the way to look forward to a healthy dental practice.

These gadgets are user friendly for any small dental set-up as well. The choice of these upgraded instruments are prerogative of the individual professionals according to their exclusive practice. Yet, the authors encourage all health care professionals to focus on better training in infection control and cross-contamination.