Even if you follow your dentist's instructions for brushing and flossing, a thin film of bacteria constantly forms on your teeth. This film, known as plaque, is the primary cause of periodontal disease. Consequently, during routine check-ups and cleanings at the dental office, dental hygienists typically care for your teeth by removing this plaque.
If oral hygiene is poor and plaque remains on the teeth for an extended period, it can harden into tartar (calculus) within 48 hours. Tartar is difficult to remove completely through brushing and flossing alone; it requires professional intervention. Historically, dental professionals have used traditional instruments to remove tartar manually.
Dental technology is constantly evolving, and new techniques are gradually replacing traditional instruments. Today, many dentists use ultrasonic scalers rather than traditional tools to remove tartar. Therefore, do not be surprised if your dentist decides to use ultrasonic instruments for your cleaning.
This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of the ultrasonic and manual instruments used by dentists for teeth cleaning.
Why Are Dentists Adopting New Teeth Cleaning Technologies?
Manual scaling using handheld curettes was-and remains-a standard method for many dentists. However, modern dentists and dental hygienists are increasingly favoring ultrasonic scalers. These newer instruments utilize ultrasonic vibrations to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. Let us now compare the differences between these two methods.
Ultrasonic Scaling
Ultrasonic instruments use ultrasonic vibrational energy to break up and remove hard, calcified tartar. These instruments also generate shockwaves that disrupt bacterial cells. While using these instruments, the dental hygienist can simultaneously flush periodontal pockets and exposed tooth surfaces with water.
Advantages of Ultrasonic Instruments
Ultrasonic instruments are just as effective as manual instruments at removing tartar from shallow gum pockets and offer significant advantages when treating periodontal pockets deeper than 4 millimeters. These instruments effectively remove tartar from periodontal pockets and root surfaces.
Furthermore, compared to manual instruments, ultrasonic instruments feature smaller tips that can reach deeper into periodontal pockets, thereby offering greater patient comfort.
Advantages of manual scalers
Manual scaling relies on the skill and knowledge of the dental hygienist to scrape away tartar from the teeth and periodontal pockets.
Manual scalers are equally effective at removing plaque and tartar from shallow gingival pockets.
They are better suited for teeth with enamel mineral deficiencies or a high susceptibility to cavities.
Manual scalers cause less damage to the tooth surface, making them more appropriate for use on composite resin or porcelain restorations, as well as on sensitive teeth.
Disadvantages of ultrasonic and manual scalers
Because ultrasonic scalers generate a contaminated mist, dental hygienists must wear protective gear while using them.
The vibration of ultrasonic instruments makes it difficult to tactilely sense whether the root surface is completely smooth and free of tartar.
Ultrasonic scalers cannot be used on patients with pacemakers.
On the other hand, manual scaling takes longer to complete. Additionally, manual scaling tends to cause more discomfort than ultrasonic scaling.
You might assume that ultrasonic scaling equipment is more harmful to fragile teeth, but this is entirely incorrect. Manual scaling requires forceful scraping to effectively clean the teeth; this can remove significant amounts of enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity in some patients.
In contrast, ultrasonic scalers cause less damage to the tooth surface. This indicates that for elderly patients requiring a dental cleaning, using an ultrasonic scaler is more beneficial for preserving enamel than using a manual scaler.