Ultrasonic Scaler
Dentist in Portland, OR
 At Dougherty Laybourn Menashe Dental, we use ultrasonic scalers in most dental cleanings for our adult patients. Along with dentistry, dental hygiene is advancing. We are learning more about how to clean and care for your teeth. An ultrasonic scaler is an important tool, it allows us to remove calculus from along the rim of your teeth and gums, and even below the gums, getting the debris from deep pockets. With this tool, we can help you have healthy teeth and gums, remove bacteria, and give you a clean smile.
Why does my hygienist use an Ultrasonic Scaler?
Our hygienist uses this tool to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Through our normal use, our teeth are constantly developing plaque. Plaque is a sticky material that clings to our teeth. If we do not brush this sticky material away daily, then it can harden into what we call calculus. Calculus can be dangerous for our teeth, it is filled with bacteria that is eating away at our enamel and infects our gums. This infection is what is known as gum disease, or gingivitis. By scheduling regular dental cleanings with our dental hygienist, we can help you keep gum disease at bay, and maintain the health of your teeth. The ultrasonic scaler allows our hygienist to remove tartar and biofilm from your teeth while causing minimal or no damage to your tooth roots or tooth enamel, an ideal procedure when used in tandem with hand scaling.
According to the Center for Disease Control, about one in two American adults suffers from periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Periodontal disease is an active infection and the chronic inflammatory of your soft gum tissue along with its supporting bone, according to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). If left untreated, this will cause significant damage to your gums and jawbone. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. We can help you keep your gums clean and healthy by scheduling regular dental cleanings with our hygienist and tools such as the ultrasonic scaler.
How does the Ultrasonic Scaler work?
This device uses ultrasonic vibrations and bubbles, fired rapidly in a circular motion, to break down the plaque or calculus that has built up along the rim of your teeth and below the gums. If this material was left in place, it would cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. The energy released by these bubbles kills the microbes that are living in this material. This tool bursts microscopic bubbles which implode on the surface of your teeth, killing microbes and then loosening the hardened plaque and tartar in the process allowing for easy removal. What's more, the ultrasonic scaler is able to extend into those deep pockets, pockets that reach greater than 4mm, helping you have healthy gums.
At Dougherty Laybourn Menashe Dental, we love using ultrasonic scalers because it allows us to:
| • |
Remove calculus buildup using only bubbles, no chemicals. |
| • |
Removes tartar buildup in areas that are difficult to reach. |
| • |
Remove calculus without damaging your enamel. |
| • |
Painlessly remove tartar and calculus buildup, it is only water, no scraping. |
| • |
Perform the task of removing calculus fast, easy, painlessly and thoroughly. |
For more information on periodontal disease and tools we use to prevent it, including the ultrasonic scaler, contact one of our three doctors:
Our front office staff is here to assist you on the call at 503-334-1141 or you can always visit us at our Portland, OR 97209 office. |
