FOR A BETTER PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Smart Scaling

Smart Scaling

Education, Prevention and Routine Dental Care

The key to addressing oral diseases is a comprehensive effort that includes education, prevention and routine dental care. Procedures such as Scaling and/or Root Planing (SRP) are important to preventive care because removing calculus and disrupting biofilm is critical to maintaining oral health.

Research highlights some significant and alarming trends with oral diseases – what has been termed as a “silent epidemic.”1:

  • 50 to 90% of adults worldwide suffer from the mildest form of periodontal disease, and when left untreated, can lead to severe periodontitis.2
  • 10 to 15% of adults worldwide have severe periodontitis which may result in tooth loss and is linked to systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and pre-term deliveries or low birthweight babies.3
  • Dental Anxiety causes approximately 15% of adults to avoid regular dental care.4

Dentsply Sirona offers a range of products and support to ensure the best and most comfortable patient experience possible, which is important to the prevention of oral diseases.

Benefits of Ultrasonic Scaling

Efficiency

Ultrasonic scaling can quickly and effectively remove even the most tenacious calculus, which means less chair time.6

Comfort

Patients experience less pressure and greater comfort during ultrasonic scaling procedures compared to hand scaling.5

Recare

The more comfortable and less intimidating the procedure, the more likely the patient will return for more frequent dental visits.

Cavitron 300 Ultrasonic Scaling System with Steri-Mate 360 Handpiece

Precision driven by software

  • Our most efficient system ever.7 
  • Quieter than other ultrasonic systems.7
  • Ergonomic design with lightweight cable and fully rotating Steri-Mate 360 handpiece allows free flowing movement within the oral cavity

Why removing biofilm matters

Have you seen the new data on ultrasonic scaling with the Cavitron 300 Series? It may change the way you think about scaling - and helps you further enhance your patient care.

Learn more

"In a published study: 74% of patients indicated a strong preference for ultrasonic scaling over hand scaling."⁶

Croft, et al, International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry

Ultrasonic Inserts Wear

As an ultrasonic insert wears down from use over time, this loss of tip length translates into a loss of efficiency. Worn tips can cause the use of excessive pressure while scaling, which results in discomfort for both the clinician and the patient. 

Monitor insert wear regularly to ensure optimal performance. On average, using a Cavitron Ultrasonic Insert with ~2mm of tip wear will result in 30% increase in scaling time and in 40% more scaling force. 8

ACTIVE AREA

The last 4mm of a Cavitron Ultrasonic Insert is referred to as the tip’s active area.

OPTIMAL SCALING AREA

The last 4mm of a Cavitron Ultrasonic Insert is referred to as the tip’s active area.

REDUCED SCALING AREA

Using worn tips reduces the area being scaled.

Watch the difference between a new Cavitron Ultrasonic Insert and a worn insert.

Improve the patient experience during scaling and/or root planning

Maintain a light, feather-like touch similar to the exploratory stroke during ultrasonic scaling.

Adapt 2-4 mm of the active tip area and 0-15 degree angulation from long axis of tooth

Utilize short, overlapping strokes in a methodical pattern to debride the tooth surface.

Anesthetics

Choose the right anesthetic for the needs of your patient, whether it is topical or injectable. Early treatment of gingivitis is key to preventing the development of periodontitis. Additionally, failure to comply with an ongoing periodontal maintenance program may contribute to the recurrence or progression of the periodontal disease process.

That’s why providing a better patient experience during periodontal therapy is so important:

  • 84% of periodontal recall patients report tooth sensitivity.9
  • 82% of periodontal recall patients prefer a non-injectable anesthetic gel over an injection.10
  • 63% of patients who preferred a non-injectable anaesthetic gel would be more willing to return for recare if they knew a non-injectable option was available.11

Oraqix (lidocaine and prilocaine periodontal gel) 2.5%/2.5%

The only non-injectable pH neutral anesthetic approved by the FDA for scaling and/or root planing.

Oraqix is a non-injectable, pH neutral anaesthetic which is safe for use on inflamed tissue and can be used in conjunction with injectable anesthetics. Maximum dose is 5 full cartridges (8.5ml), enough to complete a full mouth scaling.

  • pH Neutral — safe for use on inflamed tissue
  • Needle free
  • Fast onset (30 seconds) and short duration (approx. 20 minutes)
  • Transforms from a liquid to a gel on contact and can be dispensed directly into a pocket
Learn more

Before and after SRP

Nupro Sensodyne

As part of a professionally administered prophylaxis treatment, including prior to and after scaling and/or root planing, consider Nupro Sensodyne Prophy Paste with NovaMin. Provides clinically proven immediate and long-lasting tooth sensitivity relief (up to 28 days) 12 in a single application.

Nupro White Varnish

Patients with post-procedure sensitivity may benefit from a fluoride varnish treatment like Nupro White Varnish. Uniquely formulated for hypersensitivity relief; with rapid fluoride release13 and only a 2-hour wear time.* It can be applied to a wet tooth surface, alleviating the need to dry teeth following SRP.

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Find out more about how Dentsply Sirona Preventive's line of products can help enhance your patient experience.

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* Data on file.

  1. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
  2. Albandar JM, Rams TE. Global epidemiology of periodontal diseases. Periodontol 2000. 2002;29:7-10.
  3. Petersen, P. E., & Ogawa, H. (2005, December). Strengthening the Prevention of Periodontal Disease: The WHO Approach. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/oral_health/publications/jop2005_76_12_2187.pdf?ua=1
  4. Gatchel RJ, Ingersoll BD, Bowman L, Robertson MC, Walker C. The prevalence of dental fear and avoidance: a recent survey study. J Am Dent Assoc. 1983 Oct;107(4):609–610. [PubMed]
  5. Croft, et al, International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry, Volume 23, number 6, 2003.
  6. Compared to hand scaling.
  7. Compared to other Cavitron models.
  8. When compared to a new ultrasonic insert.
  9. Matthews DC., Rocchi A., Gafini A., (2001). Factors affecting patients’ and potential patients choices among anesthetics for periodontal recall visits. Journal of Dentistry 29:173-179. Page 176
  10. Matthews DC., Rocchi A., Gafini A., (2001). Factors affecting patients’ and potential patients choices among anesthetics for periodontal recall visits. Journal of Dentistry 29:173-179. Page 177
  11. Matthews DC., Rocchi A., Gafini A., (2001). Factors affecting patients’ and potential patients choices among anesthetics for periodontal recall visits. Journal of Dentistry 29:173-179.
  12. J.L. Milleman, K.R. Milleman, et al. Nupro Sensodyne prophylaxis paste with NovaMin for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity: A 4-week study. Am J Dent 2012; 25: 262-268.
  13. Compared to competitive varnishes. Data on file.