(5) ultrasonic instruments rid the radicular surfaces of bacterial endotoxins while preserving the cementum (4) ultrasonic tip spray promotes elimination of dental plaque (3) more efficient removal of dental plaque and calculi with ultrasonic instrumentation (2) decreased treatment time, especially with heavy deposits, leaving more time for patient education or procedures such as placement of chemotherapeutic agents (ie, Arestin, Atridox, or PerioChip ). (1) less hand and wrist fatigue due to the light touch necessary to merely guide the scaler tip along the tooth surface Ultrasonic technology in general, whether magnetostrictive (long inserts with metal rods that flex) or piezo-electric (small tips that screw onto the handpiece), and sonic scalers to a lesser degree, offer several advantages over hand scaling: Although ultrasonic technology has been around for decades, improvements in recent years have allowed its use to become mainstream. The use of ultrasonic devices has dramatically improved the practice of supragingival scaling and periodontal debridement. Here the handpiece, rather than the instrument tip, is activated. The tip moves in a back-and-forth motion and works along the side of the tooth, shaving off calculus and debris. Piezo-electric technology operates at 28,000 to 36,000 cycles/second. A low-voltage magnetic signal causes tip movement. Magnetostrictive inserts operate at 25,000 to 30,000 cycles/second and, like the sonic scaler, have an elliptical motion. The ultrasonic handpiece utilizes either magnetostrictive or piezo-electric technology. The sonic scaler is air-driven, and the tip moves in an elliptical motion. The sonic scaler operates at a low frequency of about 3,000 to 8,000 cycles/second (which is how many times the tip comes in contact with the tooth). With the utility of the products that are available today, there is no reason why every operatory should not be equipped with this technology. Whether used only occasionally or on a routine basis, most dental professionals are familiar with sonic or ultrasonic technology in some capacity. Common in todayвЂ™s hygiene and periodontal armamentarium is the sonic or ultrasonic handpiece. Many of the recognized brand names have survived the test of time, offering the benefit of reducing hand and wrist fatigue as well as tissue trauma.

A myriad of new products have been introduced that have revolutionized periodontal therapy in the past several years.

Piezo ultrasonic scalers