Dimensions of Dental Hygiene Online

Periodontal therapy involves the use of hand instruments as well as ultrasonic scalers in the removal of plaque and calculus during root planing and scaling. Ultrasonic scaling and hand instrumentation are equally capable of removing plaque and calculus and in creating smooth tooth surfaces.Clinically there is no evidence that ultrasonics improves outcomes over hand instrumentation.

However, ultrasonic dibridement is more efficient than hand instrumentation (less time per tooth) easier to learn, creates substantially less operator fatigue, and is more comfortable to both patient (less tissue trauma) and operator and provides constant lavage.¹

Ultrasonic scalers are either classified as Magnetostrictive or Piezoelectric. Magnetostrictive vibration is created when the electrical current is delivered to a wire coil in the insert, and piezo electric units create vibration when electrical current is applied to the ceramic crystals housed within the handpiece.

Magnetostrictive units create an elliptical pattern of vibration and Piezo units create tip movements that are linear in direction. Simply stated, Magnetostrictive units have a 360-degree active tip and Piezo units operate on a linear plane with the sides of the tip being active, similar to a hand instrument.

1.Drisko CL, Cochran DL, Blieden T, et al. Position paper: sonic and ultrasonic scalers in periodontics. Research, Science and Therapy Committee of the American Academy of Periodontology. J Periodontol. 2000;71:1792-1801.

Piezo Advantage:

•	Little or no patient sensitivity
•	No vibration in the handpiece - therefore little to no water is required to cool the handpiece which limits aerosols and excessive irrigation
•	Broad range of amplitudes settings means greater delivered power than magnetostrictive counterparts
•	Large selection of tips designed to adapt to tooth anatomy and comparable to hand instruments
•	Technique is similar to hand instrumentation but different from magnetostrictive scalers.

	SU1 - Light to Medium-Heavy Supra-Gingival Calculus Utilizing the side radius of the initial 2-3mm of the tip in a sweeping motion on the tooth enamel will provide for a smoothly scaled surface with minimal need for secondary hand instrumentation.
	SU2 - Scaling of High Density Supra-Gingival Calculus Deposits Utilizing the flat edge of the top of the tip and the side of the tip perpendicular to the tooth surface, use an up and down motion on the tooth surface to sheer-off calculus.
	SU3 - Removal of Stains (Tobacco, Coffee and Other like Stains) Utilizing both the round edge of the top of the tip and the side of the tip on the tooth surface, use an up and down motion on the tooth surface to sheer-off stains.
SU4 - General Scaling of Sensitive Areas (Comparable Style to the 10P Tip) Less abrasive than the SU1-SU3 tips, this tip is ideal for use in periodontal pockets and with other sensitive locations.
SU5 - Designed for Easy Interproximal Scaling (Comparable Style to the 10X Tip) The thin design of the SU5 tip allows for entry into most interproximal spaces.
SU6 - Designed for Sub-Gingival Scaling (Comparable Style to the 10Z Tip) Long and thin design allows for a less invasive entry into sub-gingival pockets resulting in minimal patient sensitivity and reduced bleeding.
31 - Paddle Used for supra-gingival scaling of overhangs and lingual, buccal, and interdental scaling.
32 - Hoe Gross Supra-gingival scaling.
HA- Light to Medium Cases of Sub-Gingival Calculus Use this diamond coated probe at low power levels for treatment of anterior teeth as well as for following-up on more abrasive sub-gingival tips.
HC- Universal Curette Design for Sub and Supra-Gingival Scaling (Comparable Style to the H3 Tip) Designed for deep pocket access and powerful enough for medium to heavy calculus removal. Use the edge of the tip to guide the motion for smooth end results.
HFL/ HFR - Light Scaling of Difficult Access Areas (Left bend version) Use on furcations and interproximal sides of molars and pre-molars. Proper use requires non-foot pedal actuated placement, followed by actuation of foot pedal, scaling, releasing the foot pedal, removal of the tip. Use at low power settings.
PTU- Sub-Gingival Pocket Scaling With a design to simulate the natural curvature of a tooth, this universal tip provides for easy access into pockets with minimal patient discomfort. Extremely thin design assists with patient sensitivity and allows tip to create a smoothly scaled surface.
	PTL - Sub-Gingival Pocket Scaling of Molars and Pre-Molars Left version of the perio fine tip is very effective for lower-left and upper-right molars and pre-molars. This tip is also effective for the scaling of interproximal spaces between molars.
PTR- Sub-Gingival Pocket Scaling of Molars and Pre-Molars Right version of the perio fine tip is very effective for lower-right and upper-left molars and pre-molars. This tip is also effective for scaling of interproximal spaces between molars.

Piezo Advantage^TMTable-Top Unit

Compact, functional, table-top design.
Package Includes:
      3 - Autoclavable Handpieces
      2 - Tip Wrenches
      4 - Ultrasonic Tips
      $200.00 Merchandise Rebate
      Lifetime Loaner Program

Piezo+^TMSelf Contained Two Bottle Reservoir Unit

Package includes:
      1 - Sub-gingival Irrigation Handpiece
      3 - Autoclavable Handpieces
      2 - Tip Wrenches
      4 - Ultrasonic Tips
      $300.00 Merchandise Rebate
      Lifetime Loaner Program

The views and opinions contained in Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s E-Edu emails are those of the manufacturer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the editors, editorial advisory board, or publisher. Belmont Publications, Inc., does not endorse or independently evaluate or verify the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any content, product, medical techniques or procedures, any diagnoses, or other information contained in this email. Belmont Publications, Inc., is not responsible and will have no liability for any reliance by the reader on such information and under no circumstances does any such information constitute the advice of or a recommendation by Belmont Publications, Inc., to take a particular course of action or inaction.

<< Back