Tony Riso Co: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between rebuilding and re-tipping my ultrasonic insert?
At Tony Riso Company, we only rebuild. Tony Riso Company rebuilds the insert from the stack to the new tip for superior scaling. Then these inserts are tested and inspected so you can be assured your insert is as good-as-new.

Some companies say inserts cannot be rebuilt. Why?
These companies want to sell you a new insert every time. Tony Riso Company has been rebuilding ultrasonic inserts for more than 20 years and has over 6,500 satisfied customers.

Which type of ultrasonic inserts can be rebuilt?
All P-style (external water conduit) ultrasonic inserts can be rebuilt like new. Inserts with plastic resin handles will be rebuilt with a Tony Riso plastic insert grip IF –style (internal water conduit).

Which type of magnetostrictive insert do you recommend and why?

We recommend the P-style over the IF-style for most usage. The P-style is the older of the instruments and thus has the longest history of function. We speak only for our P-style which is made exclusively of surgical stainless steel to give it the greatest durability.

The P-style (external water conduit) insert is designed with an external water flow tube. It's irrigation is delivered closer to the tip, giving you a potentially more focused flow. This is one of the reasons the P-style is greatly preferred by periodontists in their practice. It is made with long lasting stainless steel parts that can be salvaged and re-used multiple times. Thus, the P-style is the "greener" of the two styles.

The IF-style (internal water conduit) insert has an internal water flow tube encased within a plastic resin handle. Not only is plastic naturally not as sturdy as stainless steel., the IF-style plastic resin handle is never re-usable.

Our experience as the largest re-builder of inserts, suggests that P-style inserts have approximately two re-builds in them, while the IF-style has less than one re-build. The P-style gives you greater value/credit in a salvage operation, where the insert is re-built, making it the more valuable instrument. That is the basis for the pricing of our re-built inserts.

Incidentally, re-built inserts are built to manufacturers' new insert specifications in many configurations and carry the same warranty as a new insert.

What is the difference between 25K and 30K insert?
While both operate on the same magnetostrictive principle and perform similarly, 25K stacks at 4 inches, are longer than 30K stacks at 3.5 inches. Because of the additional length, the 25K inserts have a longer excursion at the tip resulting in a smoother stroke. The 30K inserts are a newer technology introduced around 1987. Here is a side by side comparison.

What is the advantage of the Tony Riso TIS implant scaler over the competition?
The Tony Riso TIS insert has several advantages:

1. It is built on a P-style base, which is more durable than an internal water flow base.

2. Our TIS comes in either 25k or 30k configurations. Others come in 30k only.

3. The TIS prophy tip is screwed onto the insert. Others have a "push-on" attachment. The threads of the TIS provide a more secure fastening than the short nail. Separation of the tip from the insert can cause a range of problems from severe in patients with compromised reflexes and swallowing, to just plain embarrassing.

4. The TIS prophy tip is reusable, after sterilization, with a number of patients. The competition instructs you to use a new tip with every patient. Thus, the TIS is the least expensive insert to use because of the smaller costs of disposables.

5. If your TIS scaler insert becomes damaged or misshapened over time, the Tony Riso Company will rebuild it for a fee that is a fraction of the cost of a new one. The only recourse with other companies is to purchase a brand new insert. This is another reason the Tony Riso TIS has a lower cost of use.

How do I send you my ultrasonic inserts for rebuilding?
1. Sterilize your inserts in your usual pouches.

2. Without opening them, place the sterilized pouch in a padded envelope or sturdy box so

that the tips do not poke through the package and potentially hurt someone.

3. Include a completed Repair/Order form that may be downloaded from this site.

4. We recommend shipping your package via UPS, FedEx, DHL or U.S. Mail, making use

of their tracking capabilities. These carriers also offer insurance to be purchased at

your discretion.

What happens to my insert when I send it in to be rebuilt?
Our multi-step service completely rehabs your insert.
    1. Your package is received and inventoried.
    2. Each piece of equipment is completely disassembled.
        If it is a P-style (external water conduit) unit, there are nuts and a water tube.
        If an IF-style (internal water conduit) unit, there is a plastic grip.
    3. The original stack is tested for its functional response.
        If it responds within the acceptable limits for a new stack, it is refurbished.
        If it falls short of the acceptable response standards for new stacks, the stack is

        discarded and replaced with another.
    4. The metal nuts are inspected, cleaned and re-inspected and reused or replaced as necessary.
    5. If a P-style, the external water conduit will be replaced with a surgical steel conduit. Our

high quality steel resists bending and misalignment minimizing the need for adjustments.
6. Your inset is rebuilt & re-tipped using a mixture of new tips, o-rings, water tubes, bodies

and plastic handles and recycled components.
7. Your newly refurbished insert is then shipped back to you, as good-as-new.

After you use all the salvageable parts from my old insert, what happens with the rest?
The nickel components (stacks) and all the stainless steel parts that are not usable are sent to a metal salvage company for re-entry into the industrial metals stream. The rubber and plastics have no value to anyone and are the only parts that enter the waste stream. When you send your old inserts to the Tony Riso Company you are assured that we use the most ecologically friendly processes available.

How long will it take to repair my insert?
Typically, after your insert is received and inventoried, it will be repaired and shipped back to you within 24 hours.

Insert Tips

Do you have a Slim Line™ tip?
Our Tony Riso 100 is identical in taper and performance to the Slim Line™ tip or After-Five™. It comes in either the P-style (external water conduit) or IF-style (internal water conduit).

Can the inserts I send in be changed to Slim Line™ styles or right/left tips?
Since you get a new tip when you order a rebuilt insert, we allow you to order a P-style or IF-style insert, universal, right or left, no matter what type of insert you send in.

With which types of units are Tony Riso Company tips compatible?
Tony Riso Company tips are compatible with all magnetostrictive ultrasonic units including: Dentsply/Cavitron®, Parkell®, Sonatron®, Southeast Instruments® and many others.

Units

What kind of ultrasonic units can Tony Riso Company repair?
Our inventory of hard to locate parts allows us to repair all 'Cavitron®' type units. We specialize in Prophy-Jet® and Cavi-Jet® repairs.

When we send a unit for repair, what happens?

Regardless of your complaint, we subject your unit to a comprehensive inspection to identify potential problems before they cause a failure. These include: the electronic circuit board, electronic control and connection inspection; inspection to manufacturer’s electronic parameters; inspection of solenoid valves and internal tubing; inspection of air conduction systems and inspection of air and water regulators for proper delivery pressure. We clean and maintain air-polishing systems, if present.

Why should I have my Air-Polishing nozzle rebuilt?

When you send us Cavitron Jet® air-polishing nozzles we clean, de-junk and rebuild them with components equal or better than the original materials. You can save half the price of a new nozzle. Our nozzles have a six month warranty and should last much longer. Use any standard Dental Office sterilization procedure for these.

How will your repair affect my warranty? Does Tony Riso Company warranty any of its work?
Any equipment still under the manufacturers warranty should be serviced by the manufacturer. Yes, Tony Riso Company warrants all scaler repairs for six months, all Prophy-Jet® and Cavi-Jet® repairs for six months and all repaired hand pieces for one year, including parts and labor.

What is the best way to ship my ultrasonic unit to Tony Riso Company for repair?
Pack the unit in a sturdy corrugated box with at least 2 inches of protective material (e.g. foam peanuts, air bubbles or crumpled newspapers) all around the unit. Include a completed Repair/Order form that may be downloaded from this site. We recommend shipping your package via UPS, FedEx, DHL or U.S. Mail, making use of their tracking capabilities. These carriers also offer insurance to be purchased at your discretion.

Other

What are Tony Riso Company's warranty policies?
All Tony Riso Company products and work have a warranty. Specifically:

Inserts, new and rebuilt - 90 days
Air-Polishing nozzles - 90 days
Unit repair items and labor - 180 days
Refurbished units - 1 year
Model 25/30 Scaler - 2 years

What days are you open?

Every weekday when there is either private package delivery service (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.), or the U. S. Postal Service makes deliveries. Ordinarily we are closed weekends. If you wish to personally deliver something, please call to confirm that we will accept drop-offs that day.

We are closing the office for a vacation period. Can you fix our ultrasonics while we are gone?

Yes! All units need periodic testing and maintenance. Send us your equipment and advanced permission as you are closing. We will have it back to your office in time for the practice re-opening

How does the Tony Riso Company support Dental and Dental Hygiene education and advancement?
The Tony Riso Company gladly supports dental education and research. For example, we have made capital gifts to the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. We also support Dental Hygiene Programs with grants of equipment for training and research.

How does one become a Tony Riso Dealer?
To apply to become a Tony Riso Dealer, submit a completed Dealer Profile for review.

If you need more information, Email or call, 305-466-5681.

Click here for a printable Repair/Order Form

Insert Price List