The dental ultrasonic scaler is an essential device that dentists and dental hygienists use daily to perform dental cleanings.
Improving the patient's oral health is the dental practice's main goal. Although treating caries and performing various types of dental restorations can solve most oral issues, dental cleaning or prophylaxis is a more conservative approach. This way, the dentist can ensure to remove plaque and calculus before it causes any harm to the oral tissues.
Dental prophylaxis can be done using manual tools. However, it is more effective to do it using a dental ultrasonic scaler. This powerful device can remove large pieces of calculus with ease, even if they are covering large areas of the teeth.
Therefore, practitioners can offer a simple, quick, and effective solution to their oral health issues.
A dental ultrasonic scaler special handpiece dental that is mainly used for dental cleanings. Nonetheless, its use has extended to other dentistry fields, such as endodontics.
The ultrasonic scaler consists of a cylindrical handle with a sharp tip at the end. There are different types and shapes of tips. Moreover, they are easily interchangeable. This allows the practitioner to use one that better suits the situation at hand.
These devices cause the tip to vibrate at a high speed. The vibration helps remove calculus effortlessly since it disrupts the binding between it and the teeth. Furthermore, the sharp tip also contributes as it can break it down into smaller pieces.
Another important feature of the ultrasonic scaler is the irrigation system. Dental scalers spray water through the tip when it is activated. This helps remove plaque under the gumline and between the teeth. Also, it acts as a coolant system. The vibration's high intensity can cause a heat surge which can lead to discomfort. However, the water spray reduces the heat and prevents any damage or discomfort.
Most dental ultrasonic scalers are air-driven and need to be connected to the dental unit to function. When the practitioner presses down the floor pedal, pressurized air travels through the hoses and activates the internal mechanism. As a result, the tip begins to vibrate and spray water.
The vibration of the tip causes shockwaves that disrupt the structure and mechanical binding of the calculus. Therefore, causing it to dislodge from the teeth.
A dental ultrasonic scaler can be used in other dentistry fields.
After dental prophylaxis, the scaler is most commonly used in endodontics. Special tips can be used to remove broken files trapped inside the root canal. Furthermore, the dentist can also use an ultrasonic scaler to remove metal and fiberglass posts from the teeth. This is highly useful in cases where the treatment needs to be repeated and tooth integrity is compromised.
Additionally, there is a special tip that allows the dentist to clean around a dental implant without damaging it. This is the best way to prevent peri-implantitis.