A thin film of bacteria does continuously form on one’s teeth even after brushing and flossing and, therefore, proper dental cleaning procedures.
The thin film is known as dental plaque and is the primary cause of periodontal disease. If visiting a dentist for regular exams and cleanings, the hygienist does provide teeth care by removing dental plaque from one’s teeth.
If maintaining proper oral hygiene allows plaque to remain on one’s teeth, then the calculus hardens within 48 hours. Calculus, or tartar, as it is usually known, is challenging to remove merely by brushing and flossing. It does require help from dental professionals who, until this moment, have made use of hand scaling for tartar removal using traditional dental instruments.
Dental technology is rather continuously evolving, and new techniques are gradually replacing traditional instruments. Presently, several dentists are, of course, making use of ultrasonic scaling to remove the hardened deposits of tartar instead of conventional tools. The dentist decides to use an ultrasonic instrument in one’s mouth to scale teeth and gums.
Why New Technology to Scale Teeth?
Manual tooth scaling uses handheld scraping instruments and is undoubtedly the standard among several dentists. Modern dentists and hygienists increasingly prefer ultrasonic instruments to scale teeth. These new instruments use ultrasonic vibrations to knock plaque and tartar away from one’s teeth.
Ultrasonic power scaling
Ultrasonic instruments use the energy of ultrasonic vibration to smash and remove hard and calcified deposits of tartar. The devices also create shockwaves to disrupt bacterial cells. When using these instruments, the hygienist can wash and flush the periodontal pockets and any exposed tooth surfaces with water.
Benefits of Ultrasonic Instruments
- Ultrasonic instruments are as effective as manual instruments for tartar removal from shallow gum pockets and more beneficial for tartar removal in periodontal pockets.
- The instruments are rather effective in removing tartar from within the periodontal pockets and root surfaces.
- Ultrasonic devices have smaller tips to penetrate deeper into periodontal pockets as compared to manual instruments, thus offering more comfort to patients.
Benefits of Manual Scalars
- Manual scalars depend on the skill and knowledge of the hygienist for manipulation to scrape away the tartar from one’s teeth and within the periodontal pockets.
- Manual scalars are equally effective for plaque and tartar removal from shallow gum pockets.
- They are indeed better used on teeth where minerals are, of course, lacking from the tooth enamel, making it thus vulnerable to decay.
- Manual scalars are easier on the surface of one’s tooth, making them better for use with composite or even porcelain restorations and sensitive teeth.
Downsides of Ultrasonic and Manual Scalars
- Ultrasonic scalers do require dental hygienists to wear protective equipment to prevent the formation of contaminated mist.
- The vibration of ultrasonic instruments does make it challenging to feel if the root surface is entirely smooth and free from tartar.
- Dentists cannot use ultrasonic scalars on patients with heart pacemakers.
Of course, manual scalars do require more time to complete the cleaning.
Manual scalars do require scraping forces for effectiveness and can remove large amounts of enamel, exposing the teeth’s sensitivity in a few patients.
Ultrasonic instruments are, of course, less damaging to tooth surfaces. It does indicate that older patients do need teeth cleaning benefits from ultrasonic scalars compared to the manual variety to protect tooth enamel.
Ultrasonic tooth scaling is no doubt another example of technology making tooth care more manageable for patients. Experts do believe the best results are achievable when making use of both types of instruments. Dental cleanings are rather accomplished, with effective and efficient outcomes that provide greater comfort for the patient.
Conclusion
Having one’s teeth cleaned is very important, and that too on a regular and proper dental hygiene basis. The dental cleaning procedure needs to be followed.