Time for a Dental Cleaning? How New Technology Improves the Experience

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Many people put off a visit to the dentist on a regular basis because they may have had a less than pleasant experience when they got their teeth cleaned in the past. Yet time does not stand still in terms of dental technology and the professional has additional options to make the job a lot easier and less stressful for you. What are the current options when it comes to getting your teeth cleaned?

The Old Method

It is necessary to visit the dentist for professional teeth cleaning due to the buildup of tartar and plaque over time. Whenever the dentist discovers any evidence of plaque during a routine visit, it has to be removed using a method known as "scaling." Traditionally, this would be a somewhat laborious method conducted by hand, but now ultrasound technology has made this job a lot easier.

Previously, the dental hygienist would need to take time scraping away the tartar with a specially designed instrument and the outcome would largely depend on the knowledge and skill of the hygienist. Also, this method could take quite a long time in the event of long-term buildup. This may well be one of the reasons why you are delaying your visit to the dentist's chair.

The New Way

The new ultrasound power scalers use ultrasonic vibration in order to disintegrate and remove those hardened tartar deposits. The whole process is a lot faster, but generally more efficient as well. The tartar can be removed from the surfaces and shallow "pockets" around the gums. The instruments have very small tips that can penetrate far deeper into problem areas than can the manual instruments.

The tool is equipped with a water spray that flushes the area and removes all the bacteria very efficiently. Generally speaking, the patient will find the whole experience a lot more palatable and be sitting in the chair for less time.

How Does the New Technology Work?

Ultrasound scalers work by converting electricity into mechanical energy represented by microscopic high and low pressure points. Tiny bubbles made of water vapour are agitated to such a degree that they implode, and this releases a tiny burst of pressure and heat. It is this action on a microscopic scale that so efficiently loosens particles of tartar.

Most hygienists will use a combination of power scaler and handheld tool, just to make sure that they have completed the job properly. Ask clinics like Aim Dental if they use these methods, and ask them how their patients have reacted to the newer technology.


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