Prophy cups are one of the highest-turnover disposables in any Canadian hygiene operatory — a busy hygienist can go through a dozen or more per day. Yet ordering them trips up a surprising number of offices, because “prophy cup” actually covers three incompatible attachment systems and several cup styles. This guide sorts them out in two minutes, so the right box shows up the first time.
Step 1: Match the attachment to your prophy angle
The single thing you must get right. Cups attach to prophy angles three different ways, and they are not interchangeable:
- Latch type (RA) — a metal shank that clicks into standard latch-type angles on slow-speed handpieces. The fastest swap between patients. Shop latch type prophy cups (144/pk).
- Screw type — a threaded hub that screws onto threaded angles. The most secure hold under pressure; it cannot dislodge during heavy stain removal. Shop screw type prophy cups (144/pk).
- Snap-on — a press-fit hub that seats in one push on snap-on angles. Shop snap-on prophy cups (144/pk).
Not sure which you run? Look at how the current cup comes off: if it unclips with a latch lever it is RA, if it unscrews it is screw type, if it pulls straight off it is snap-on.
Step 2: Plain or turbine (webbed)?
A plain cup has a smooth inner bowl — gentler on enamel and soft tissue, the default for routine polish and recall patients. A turbine (webbed) cup has internal ribs that hold prophy paste against the tooth and add mechanical scrubbing action — the pick for coffee, tea and tobacco stain.
Step 3: Soft or firm?
Soft cups flex over the gingival margin — comfortable for sensitive patients and cervical areas. Firm cups keep their shape under pressure for heavy stain. EBIKO cups make the grade visible at a glance: pastel colours are soft, bright colours are firm — no squinting at box labels mid-appointment.
What should prophy cups cost in Canada?
Brand-name cups commonly retail between 25¢ and 50¢ per cup through the big distributors. EBIKO's house-brand boxes work out to about 14–17¢ per cup (144 per box), with the same style options:
| Product | Attachment | Styles | Price per cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latch type (RA) | Latch, metal shank | Plain/Turbine × Soft/Firm | ~17¢ |
| Screw type | Threaded | Plain/Turbine × Soft/Firm | ~14¢ |
| Snap-on | Press-fit | Plain × Soft/Firm | ~14¢ |
At that spread, stocking both soft and firm grades chairside costs less than a single brand-name box — and free shipping applies from $99 in the GTA, $199 in Ontario and $299 across Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Are prophy cups single-use?
Yes — prophy cups are single-patient disposables. Reprocessing them is neither practical nor compliant; discard after each patient along with the angle if you run disposable angles.
Do these fit disposable prophy angles?
Disposable prophy angles come with the cup already attached. The cups in this guide are for offices running reusable metal prophy angles (latch, screw or snap-on) that take replaceable cups — typically the lower-cost setup per patient.
What about prophy paste and the rest of the setup?
See our prophy paste guide and the full prophy supplies collection — pastes, cups, brushes and angles in one place.