scaler (redirected from ultrasonic, straight insert scaler)

scaler /sca·ler/ (skāl´er) a dental instrument for removal of calculus from teeth.

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scaler

[skā′lər]

Etymology: OFr, escale, husk

a dental instrument used to remove calculus from tooth surfaces. See also scaling.

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scaler (skā´lur),

n an instrument used to remove calculus from teeth.

scaler, hoe,

n a double- or single-ended dental instrument used to remove heavy supragingival calculus; due to design limitations such as the shank angle; the straight, short, bulky blade; and the limited tactile sensitivity associated with this scaler, it is no longer used.

scaler, sickle,

n a hand-activated, hook-shaped instrument available in various sizes and shapes; used for the removal of supragingival deposits; not suited for instrumentation apical to the gingival margin.

scaler, sickle, straight,

n a sickle scaler that has an angled blade with a straight, flat face and two cutting edges that come to a point. Also called the
Jacquette scaler.

n.pl an instrument that uses compressed air delivered from dental unit handpiece line to drive rotor system to move tip about 2500 to 7000 cycles per second in an elliptical pattern. Although sonic scalers do not get hot, they cause tissues to heat, requiring fluid for cooling tissues. This technology is generally not capable of removing heavy, hard deposits like the ultrasonic scaler is, but it removes softer, less tenacious deposits.

scaler, ultrasonic,

n an electronic generator that transmits high-frequency vibrations from 25,000 to 40,000 or more cycles per second to a handpiece that is used to remove deposits from the surface of a tooth. Usually an insert is placed in the handle of the instrument to allow for specific instrumentation.

Ultrasonic scaler.

scaler, ultrasonic, chisel tip insert,

n an instrument with a tip especially designed for removing deposits coronal to the gingival margin. It may also be used to remove overhanging restorations.

scaler, ultrasonic, contra-angled insert,

n an instrument with a tip that is specially curved for removal of deposits on certain hard-to-reach tooth surfaces.

scaler, ultrasonic, magnetostrictive,

n an instrument that uses a pulsing magnetic field applied to a metal “stack” that flexes to move tip in an elliptical pattern. It generates heat requiring fluid for cooling handpiece and tissues.

scaler, ultrasonic, piezoelectric,

n an instrument that uses pulsing voltage applied to ceramic crystals that fly and move the tip in a reciprocating pattern. It causes the tissues to heat, requiring fluid for cooling them.

scaler, ultrasonic, plastic tip,

n a plastic cover used on the working end of an ultrasonic scaler when removing deposits from the implant surface.

scaler, ultrasonic, probe tip insert,

n an instrument with a thin, straight tip that is designed to provide access to subgingival deposits.

scaler, ultrasonic, straight insert,

n an instrument with an arched tip that is designed for use in all parts of the oral cavity. Also called a
universal ultrasonic scaler insert.

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scaler

a manual or mechanical instrument used to remove deposits from the surface of teeth. See also tartar scraper.

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rotosonic scaler

an air-driven scaler with a rotating bur.

subsonic scaler

one with a tip that vibrates less than 20,000 cycles per minute.

ultrasonic scaler

the scaling tip, which vibrates at high frequency, is cooled by water. There are several types, including magnetostrictive and piezoelectric, which differ in the mechanisms producing the vibrations. Cleaning occurs by cavitation. See also ultrasonic cleaning.