The cavitational forces of the water spray shatter plaque and endotoxin. Significant differences in the amount of root roughness, residual calculus, and tooth damage occur when different ultrasonic units are compared and when a given unit is operated at different power settings. Results with power scalers are also affected by tip design. Subtle differences in the size, shape, water conduits, and range of vibration of an instrument have significant clinical implications. Manual tune equipment allows the clinician to control the frequency as well as the amplitude of the tip vibration.
Magnetostrictive instruments have an elliptical tip motion.
All sides and the entire length of the instrument are working at varying degrees of intensity. The goals of periodontal therapy are to arrest the disease and preserve the dentition by altering or eliminating the microbial pathogens and other factors that contribute to the disease. To a large extent the periodontal health of the population of this country depends on what a hygienist can accomplish in a one-hour appointment. Within that hour, complete periodontal debridement is attempted by totally deplaqueing the entire root surface from the gingival margin to the base of the pocket. The final decision in the appropriate therapy lies with the individual dentist who is expected to assess each patient with skill and care.