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288 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

off the tooth as the tip of the handpiece is swept along its
surface. For both types of handpieces, water must be in
the handpiece prior to insertion of the insert.
Occasionally hold the magnetostrictive handpiece up to
the light; if light is visible between the stacks, it is time to
replace the handpiece. Use care with the ferrite rod, if it
is dropped it can fracture the rod and render the hand-
piece unusable (Figure 15.7).
Piezo scalers use crystal technology in the handpiece
to provide mechanical vibration. The same care in use
should be used with piezo scalers to prevent tooth
damage.
Sonic scalers use compressed air to operate thereby
producing less heat and reducing the chance of
thermal damage to the tooth. Sonic scalers are an
excellent choice for the removal of supragingival
calculus; however, their inability to descale subgingi-
vally effectively is due to the large elliptical motion of
the scaler tip.
FIGURE 15.8 Ultrasonic dental scaler.
Selection of the Correct
Handpiece Tip walls of bacteria. It is recommended that each clinic have
both the wide or beaver tip and the periodontal tip to
There are three main types of scaler tips available for perform the most effective dental cleanings. A universal
power scalers. The tip used to remove gross accumula- tip can be used both above and below the gumline.
tions of dental calculus or tartar from the crown of the However, it is not as effective for cleaning either below or
tooth is most commonly called the beaver tail. This tip is above the gumline.
broad and effective in rapidly removing debris from the All tips must be checked regularly using the manu-
crown (Figure 15.8, first tip on the left). This tip requires facturers’ guides to ensure that they are still effective.
a higher power on most units and thus should never be They wear down and don’t vibrate efficiently.
used below the gumline. The periodontal tip is essential Handpieces and tips will need to be replaced on
to complete a proper dental cleaning (the two tips on occasion for the safety of the patients and the effective-
the right in Figure 15.8). This tip has a slender end and ness of the procedures.
is designed to be used below the gumline and requires
less energy and water to be effective. Using the
periodontal tip helps to remove disease‐causing dental Air‐Driven Dental Units
calculus and plaque found below the gumline. The water
flushes out the debris while the vibrations burst the cell Dental units are used by the veterinary dentist that has
had training in the removal and periodontal treatment
of teeth. There are two types of dental units: one uses
compressed gas, usually nitrogen, from a cylinder; the
second type uses an air compressor. The pressure in the
compressor tank must be released at the end of each
day to reduce condensation in the tank. Condensation
can lead to ineffectiveness or damage to the tank. Most
air‐driven compressor systems use oil for lubrication.
The oil level must be monitored and changed based on
the manufacturer’s recommendations. Different types
of handpieces can be used on the compressed air sys-
tems. Sonic scalers are handpieces often attached to air
compressor units. Low speed handpieces use speeds of
5000–20,000 rpm and are used for polishing with pro-
phy angles. High speed handpieces, using speeds of
300,000–500,000 rpm, are used for cutting teeth during
FIGURE 15.7 Dental prophylaxis scaler and polisher. extractions and can also be used for creating access