What You Should Know About Ultrasonic Scaling Inserts
Using the correct ultrasonic inserts helps hygienists work more efficiently, helps protect their musculoskeletal health, impacts clinical outcomes, and provides a higher level of comfort for patients.
Inserts are not all designed alike: some are built for removing different levels of deposit and others are specially designed to be used around specific types of tooth anatomy. Here are the most important things to remember when choosing and monitoring the efficacy and efficiency of your ultrasonic scaling inserts.
1. Deposit type.
When choosing an insert, consider the type of deposits and the force it will require to remove them. The Dentsply Sirona Cavitron line of ultrasonic inserts offers a wide variety of tips that can handle whatever types of deposits you need to tackle throughout the day.
Thicker Cavitron inserts are designed with larger tips for removing heavier levels of calculus. Thinner Cavitron inserts have slimmer, adaptable tips that easily remove light-to-moderate deposits of biofilm.
2. Treatment site.
Different Cavitron inserts are designed to be used with certain types of tooth anatomy. Straight inserts are best for flat tooth anatomy and curved inserts offer the best results when working around furcations and concavities.
Cavitron Powerline inserts are best suited for removing heavy calculus. They feature Focused Spray technology that delivers targeted lavage, which increases site visibility and is comfortable for patients.
Cavitron Slimine inserts, designed for removing light-to-moderate deposits, are 30% slimmer than Powerline inserts and provide improved subgingival access.
Also designed for light-to-moderate deposits, Cavitron Thinsert inserts are 47% thinner than Slimline 10 inserts. These provide increased access to difficult-to-reach areas.
Cavitron Diamondcoat ultrasonic inserts have been shown in in vitro studies to remove moderate-to-heavy calculus three times faster than traditional ultrasonic inserts. They can also be used to remove overhangs and recontour dental restorations, as well as debride soft tissue and remove tissue tags in intrabony lesions.
The Cavitron Softip Implant insert is for gentle yet effective scaling around titanium abutment surfaces.
3. Tip Sharpness
Worn tips can cause the operator to use excessive pressure during scaling procedures. Putting more pressure on the insert can lessen the vibration as well as further dull the tip. This can be uncomfortable for patients and contribute to musculoskeletal pain for hygienists. It may also result in turning the power up, perhaps beyond the level at which the tip was designed to be used.
Worn tips also impact insert function. Ultrasonic inserts are designed to move from a fixed point in a sweeping motion. As tips become worn, their scaling area is reduced.
Taking into consideration the treatment site, and the grip type and insert design you prefer will help you determine which insert characteristic meets your needs the best.
To find out more about Dentsply Sirona ultrasonic insert selection, click here.