Powered Scalers

Question 1

What are powered scalers used for?

Answer 1

• Benefits the gingiva by removing biofilm & calculus deposits
• Produces less operator wrist fatigue than hand scaling
• Utilize rapidly vibrating, water-cooled tips to remove deposits from tooth surfaces and to debride periodontal pockets

Question 2

What are the two types of powered scalers?

Answer 2

sonic
ultrasonic

Question 3

What are the two types of ultrasonic machines?

Answer 3

Piezoelectric
Magnetostrictive (cavitron)

Question 4

Ultrasonic scalers operative at a higher frequency than sonic scalers; about _______ kHz

Answer 4

20-50

Question 5

Ultrasonic scalers utilize a water lavage that…

Answer 5

deplaques/washes away debris in the periodontal pockets

Question 6

What is a therapeutic benefit of ultrasonics?

Answer 6

cavitation occurs with these instruments causing bubbles to form and collapse thereby disrupting the cell walls of harmful bacteria resulting in lysis

Question 7

What is the operating frequency of the piezoelectric?

Answer 7

29-50 kHz

Question 8

For the piezoelectric strokes occur in a ________ pattern via crystals activated by the ceramic handpiece

Answer 8

linear

Question 9

For piezoelectric only the ________ sides are effective in the removal of plaque and calculus

Answer 9

lateral

Question 10

For piezoelectric the most effective portion of the tip is the last ____mm

Answer 10

2.4

Question 11

The piezoelectric uses _____ water to control heat compared to cavitron

Answer 11

less

Question 12

Which is more common piezoelectric or cavitron?

Answer 12

cavitron

Question 13

Which ultrasonic can be used on patients with multiple health issues (asthma, COPD, pacemakers)?

Answer 13

piezoelectric

Question 14

Where are piezoelectric commonly used?

Answer 14

Europe and Asia

Question 15

The piezoelectric uses multiple area-specific tips can be utilized and you must use a ____________ for putting tip on an off

Answer 15

special wrench

Question 16

Which ultrasonic can be used in endodontic treatment when utilizing the proper tips?

Answer 16

piezoelectric

Question 17

What is the mode of action for the piezoelectric?

Answer 17

Are reactivated by dimensional changes in crystals housed within the hand-piece as electricity passed over the surface of the crystals. The resultant vibration produces tip movement that is primarily linear in direction

Question 18

What is another name for the magnetostrictive?

Answer 18

Cavitron

Question 19

What is the operating frequency for a cavitron/magnetostrictive?

Answer 19

20-40 kHz (lower than piezo)

Question 20

Which ultrasonic operates at a lower frequency?

Answer 20

cavitron/magnetostrictive

Question 21

Cavitron/magnetostrictive strokes occur in an __________ pattern via stacks of metal sheets

Answer 21

elliptical

Question 22

Cavitron/magnetostrictive always requires ____________ due to production of heat

Answer 22

water lavage

Question 23

In a cavitron/magentostrictive ___________ tip are activated and therefore effective for biofilm and calculus removal

Answer 23

all aspects of

Question 24

The cavitron/magnetostrictive is not to be used for patients with a ____________

Answer 24

pacemaker (unless shielded- which most are now)

Question 25

What is the mode of action of the cavitron/magnetostrictive?

Answer 25

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. Tip movement is elliptical

Question 26

What can you use to clean around an implant?

Answer 26

Softip Cavitron Insert (the blue plastic cover is a one-time use cover)

Question 27

What are the two types of magnetostrictive machines?

Answer 27

30K 25K

Question 28

What are the parts of the cavitron machine?

Answer 28

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 29

What are these pieces?

Answer 29

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 30

What are the parts of the cavitron insert?

Answer 30

Question 31

What is the low power setting for the cavitron used for?

Answer 31

biofilm removal and light subgingival deposits

Question 32

What is the medium power setting for the cavitron used for?

Answer 32

general debridement of biofilm and calculus deposits

Question 33

What is the high power setting for the cavitron used for?

Answer 33

removal of heavy, tenacious calculus deposits

Question 34

How do you adapt a cavitron tip to the tooth?

Answer 34

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 35

With a cavitron use a _____ grasp and _____ pressure

Answer 35

light light (heavy pressure will cause more damage and will decrease effectiveness of calculus removal)

Question 36

When using the cavitron strokes need to be...

Answer 36

overlapping and, in many directions (oblique, horizontal, vertical)

Question 37

The tip of the cavitron must contact all aspects of the _____ surfaces to thoroughly disrupt biofilm accumulation

Answer 37

root

Question 38

Ultrasonic scaling should ALWAYS be done in conjunction with...

Answer 38

hand scaling

Question 39

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

Answer 39

Ultrasonic

Question 40

What should you be cautious around with the ultrasonic scaling?

Answer 40

Be cautious around composite and porcelain restorations as damage can occur

Question 41

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

Answer 41

lower