Linear motion allows the piezoelectric tip to move back and forth in a shaving motion rather than in a circular or elliptical motion like a magnetostrictive tip. Frictional heat does result from the scaling action of the tip against the tooth, so it is still important to use some water to provide cooling. However, sufficient irrigation is necessary for adequate lavage and scaling efficiency. No magnetic field is present and little heat is generated so less water is required.

This vibration is generated in a longitudinal plane creating a linear tip motion ranging from 25 to 50 thousand cycles per second. The ultrasonic vibration from a piezo scaler is generated from a series of ceramic discs or quartz plates in the handpiece.

European and Asian clinicians routinely use thin piezoelectric tips that are rectangular rather than round in cross section in deep periodontal pockets with higher power to remove hard calculus from root surfaces. The differing geometry of piezoelectric tips, especially those tips with rectangular or asymmetrical cross sections rather than round cross sections, allows them to accomplish efficient calculus removal. If more than one piezo tip will be used, the additional tip can be attached to an extra handpiece prior to the appointment and the entire handpiece can be switched, rather than having to screw tips off and on while working. Satelec Brasseler NSK Vista Dental, Racine, Wis and Hu-Friedy Mfg Co, Chicago, make tips that are designed like universal curets or Langer curets (Gracey type shanks with a universal blade) for light calculus removal and thin diamond coated tips used on low power for removing burnished/embedded calculus. ACTEON North America/Satelec, Mount Laurel, NJ Brasseler NSK, Savannah, Ga and Electro Medical Systems (EMS), Dallas, make special plastic implant tips. All of the manufacturers offer large tips for heavy calculus removal and thin periodontal tips for deep pockets. These threaded tips are screwed into the handpiece and tightened with a wrench. These built-in piezoelectric units are multifunctional so they also offer endodontic and restorative functions with special tips for the dentist.Īnother feature of piezoelectric units is that they offer a wide variety of scaling tips. The clinician simply attaches a sterile handpiece to the piezoelectric cord on the unit to begin scaling. European and Asian practitioners are more likely to use ultrasonic scaling because their dental units often have built in piezoelectric systems. While the majority of clinicians in the United States have worked with magnetostrictive ultrasonic units since the 1960s, clinicians in Europe and Asia have predominately selected piezoelectric units to accomplish their ultrasonic scaling.

Piezoelectric scaler