Ultrasonic Scaling

Question 1

Ultrasonic scalers utilize

Answer 1

rapidly vibrating, water-cooled tips to remove
deposits from tooth surfaces and to debride periodontal pockets

Question 2

Produces less — than hand scaling

Answer 2

operator wrist fatigue

Question 3

Benefits the gingiva by

Answer 3

removing biofilm & calculus deposits

Question 4

Types of Powered
ScalersSONIC:
(3)

Answer 4

• Infrequently used in dental practices
• Attached to dental unit and utilizes air pressure to
  be activated (3k-8k hertz)
• Produces less heat

Question 5

Types of
Powered
Scalers
* ULTRASONIC:
(4)

Answer 5

• Frequently used in dental practices
• Higher frequency than sonic scalers (20-50 kHz)
• Utilizes water lavage that deplaques/washes away debris from within the periodontal pocket
• Cavitation occurs causing bubbles to form and collapse which disrupts the cell walls of harmful bacteria resulting in lysis (cell death)

Question 6

Piezoelectric
* Strokes occur in a — pattern via crystals activated by
—

Answer 6

LINEAR
ceramic handpiece

Question 7

Piezoelectric
Only the — sides are effective in the removal of
—

Answer 7

LATERAL
plaque and calculus

Question 8

Piezoelectric
The most effective portion of the tip is the last —

Answer 8

2.4mm

Question 9

Piezoelectric
Requires — water to control heat

Answer 9

LESS

Question 10

Piezoelectric
* Can be used on patients with

Answer 10

multiple health issues (i.e.,
Asthma, COPD, pacemakers, etc.)

Question 11

Piezoelectric- continued
* Commonly used in

Answer 11

Europe and Asia

Question 12

Piezoelectric- continued
* Multiple — can be utilized

Answer 12

area-specific tips
(must use a
special wrench for putting tip on and off)

Question 13

Piezoelectric- continued
Can be used in — treatment

Answer 13

endo

Question 14

Piezoelectric- continued
Piezo is reactivated by

Answer 14

dimensional changes in crystals
housed within the hand-piece as electricity passes over the
surface of the crystals- results in vibration that produces tip
movement in a linear direction

Question 15

Magnetostrictive
* AKA “—”
* Used at
* Operates at
* Strokes occur in
* Always requires
* ALL aspects of the tip are
* NOTE: do NOT use the direct tip for

Answer 15

Cavitron
UMKC SoD and most dental practices
a lower frequency than piezo
an elliptical pattern via stacks of metal sheets
water lavage due to the production of heat
activated and effective for biofilm/calculus removal
calculus removal

Question 16

Magnetostrictive-
contraindications
(3)

Answer 16

• According to the American Dental
  Association, studies have shown some
  electronic dental devices may interfere
  with implanted cardiac devices
• Newer cardiac devices are better shielded
  and less susceptible to interference
• It is IMPORTANT that you discuss your
  patient’s cardiac health hx prior to using a
  cavitron- if the pacemaker is older, it is
  likely that it is NOT shielded

Question 17

How does a
cavitron work?
*

Answer 17

Using flat metal strips in a stack or a metal rod
attached to a scaling tip, electrical currents are
supplied to a wire coil in the hand-piece; a magnetic
field is created around the stack or rod transducer
causing it to constrict. An alternating current then
produces an alternating magnetic field that causes the
tip to vibrate. The tip movement is elliptical

Question 18

Ultrasonic scalers
&
Dental Implants
(2)

Answer 18

• Softip Cavitron Insert- obtain
  from Dispensary anytime you
  are scaling around an implant
• The blue plastic cover is a
  one-time use cover

Question 19

25k magnetostrictive
machines

Answer 19

• Bobcat Pro*

Question 20

skipped
Parts of a
cavitron Machine
(8)

Answer 20

1. Cavitron handpiece
2. Foot pedal
3. Power adapter
4. Water line
5. Water line hose
   attachment
6. Water line attachment to
   chair water reservoir
7. Handpiece connector
8. Handpiece cable

Question 21

Power settings for cavitron
* LOW:
* MEDIUM:
* HIGH:

Answer 21

biofilm removal and light subgingival deposits
general debridement of biofilm and calculus deposits
removal of heavy, tenacious calculus deposits
* be sure to adjust water setting accordingly

Question 22

How to adapt a
cavitron tip
DO NOT USE THE TIP
ON THE TOOTH!

Answer 22

Instead, use the lateral surfaces of the tip to adapt to the
tooth surface. The tip can lead into interproximal spaces,
but not directly contacting the tooth surface. Also, ensure
the tip is always moving, beginning at the coronal surface
toward the apical surfaces.

Question 23

Cavitron
techniques
(3)

Answer 23

• Use a light grasp and light pressure (heavy
  pressure will cause more damage and will
  decrease effectiveness of calculus removal)
• Strokes need to be overlapping and, in many
  directions (oblique, horizontal, vertical)
• The tip must contact all aspects of the root
  surfaces to thoroughly disrupt biofilm
  accumulation

Question 24

Remember….
* Ultrasonic scaling should ALWAYS
be done in conjunction with

Answer 24

hand
scaling. Ultrasonic scaling alone is
not effective enough for removal
of grainy spicules of calculus and
must be followed by hand scaling
for best results

Question 25

Dental restorations and ultrasonic scaling
Be cautious around composite and porcelain
restorations as damage can occur

Answer 25

Crowns can accumulate calculus both
supra and subgingivally, it is best to
use a lower setting to remove these
deposits when using ultrasonic scalers