Are You Staying Ahead of the Ultrasonic Curve? by Dani Botbyl, RDH
About This Event
Today, ultrasonic instrumentation goes far beyond the removal of calculus; when used as part of modern debridement strategies, it can lead to better resolution or reduction of oral inflammation. Despite the benefits of ultrasonic instrumentation, clinicians continue to rely on the technology to remove calculus and are much less focused on using ultrasonics to remove and disrupt biofilm. Research shows that dental hygienists are not maximizing ultrasonic instrumentation in their practices, which limits their ability to help their patients improve their oral and overall health. This article will focus on best practice standards that will help clinicians improve: the access or removal of biofilm and light calculus; the preservation of root structure; speed of treatment; and the wear rate of ultrasonic inserts and tips.
Learning Objectives
- List four aspects of ultrasonic instrumentation design that affect the removal of deposit and the preservation of tooth structure.
- Discuss how ultrasonic instrument characteristics—
- length, diameter, cross-section, and shape—
- can improve the removal and disruption of biofilm and light calculus.
- Define and state the clinical significance of vertical orientation and transverse orientation of ultrasonic instruments.
- Discuss how instrument selection can be a cost-savings strategy for practices.
- State the benefit of adapting the back of a curved ultrasonic instrument to furcations and concavities.
- Discuss how the back and lateral surfaces of a curved ultrasonic instrument can be adapted for successful removal and disruption of biofilm and light calculus.