Using the Sonic Scaler

Why use it?

 You lean your patient back. It's just a first-appointment-prophy or maybe a full mouth debridement. When the patient opens up, you are horrified to find calculus everywhere! You should stop right now and go get the sonic scaler from the sterilization window.

The sonic scaler will blast off all that calcululs with very little effort. I recommend going to sterilization as soon as you can because I heard they get taken quickly. You will need to fill out one of those annoying forms.

You don't need approval or a certain level of experience to use it!   At least I didnt. I just used it and faculty didnt say anything to me. So go for it.

How to Put it together

The package comes with the handpiece, a gray base thing, and 3 attachments.

1. Pick out the attachment you want to use. They vary according to the size of the tip and the bend of the shank. 
2. Use the gray base to attach the tip attachment to the handpiece. If I remember correctly, you put the tip attachment into the base. Then use the base as a modified-screwdriver to fasten the attachment to the handpiece. The gray base does not stay attached to the handpiece. It is only a means of fastening the attachment. 
3. Attach the handpiece to the high-speed hose. It uses a lot of water so an assistant maybe helpful. 

How to Use it

1. Take the tip and go around the gingival margin of all the teeth, especially those with visible calculus. Insert the tip 1-2mm into the ginigval sulcus to remove superficial subgingival calculus. 
2. DO NOT put pressure on the tooth. You can gently touch the tip to the tooth, but don't put much pressure on it because I think it can take off enamel with too much force.
3. Make sure you are constantly moving. Don't stay in one specific spot for very long. You can do short continuous strokes until the calculus is gone, but don't just hold the tip in one spot. 

 
The main purpose of the sonic scaler is to make it easier to clean up a patient with tons of calculus. It is not meant to be the only instrument you use on the patient. Once you have done a pass with the sonic scaler, switch to hand instruments to get any additional plaque and calculus left behind.

NOTE: This is not the same thing as an ultrasonic scaler. I think you actually DO need permission to use that one but I may be wrong. I have only used the sonic scaler. 

- Joe