Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning
Many people avoid going to the dentist out of a fear of pain. In fact, recent survey results suggest that nearly 25% of the American population either ignore or postpone dentist appointments due to dental anxiety – even appointments for teeth cleanings. Well, no one needs to fear cleanings any longer now that most dentists offer ultrasonic teeth cleaning.
Ultrasonic teeth cleaning is not only painless in itself, but it does not require any anesthesia. Therefore, the dental hygienist will not need to give the patient any injections. No injections, no pain – not even any of the ‘discomfort’ that many with dental anxiety notice with standard dental cleanings. This is because this type of cleaning is done through the use of sound waves.
How Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning Works
This procedure is done with a specialized ultrasonic scaler instrument. The hygienist places the tip of the scaler against the tooth and the tip vibrates. Sound waves then break apart the tartar and plaque that are attached to the tooth, removing them without damaging the tooth enamel. There is also a constant water stream coming out of the scaler that flushes away the waste and that also works to keep the scaler from overheating. In addition, the water works in conjunction with the vibrating tip to produce bubbles that quickly form and collapse; these bubbles break apart the cellular walls of any bacteria that are present.
Why Choose Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning
As previously stated, the ultrasonic procedure is entirely painless. So, for anyone with even a mild fear of going to the dentist, this cleaning method can be quite desirable for that reason alone. However, there are other reasons why ultrasonic cleaning is advantageous:
- The procedure is tremendously effective, but also very fast. This allows for speedier patient visits.
- It can be more successful in removing tartar and plaque than hand scaling.
- The ultrasonic device reaches below the gumline to remove tartar and plaque buildup.
- This cleaning method is highly effective at removing heavy stains from the teeth, including stains from coffee, tea, and nicotine.
- Continued ultrasonic treatments can help slow down and prevent gingivitis and periodontitis.
- Teeth are left feeling cleaner than ever before – without having to stomach the scraping noises or the harsh taste of tooth grit.
- This method of getting teeth clean is actually rather enjoyable. After having this procedure done, dental anxiety may be greatly reduced for some people.
Who Should Have Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning
While anyone can benefit from this type of cleaning – and though it can certainly help people eradicate dental anxiety – there are some people who should seek out dentists who specifically offer this method of teeth cleaning. Ultrasonic cleaning is recommended for those who have a significant accumulation of tartar and/or plaque, as this is difficult to remove via hand scaling alone. Also, this method is suggested for people who have gum disease because ultrasonic scalers can treat below the gum line. Finally, people with heavy teeth staining should try ultrasonic teeth cleaning because it removes those stains easily.
