Scaler

introduction

Almost everyone knows tartar as it has to be removed with an ultrasound device during a dental check-up. This application is uncomfortable for many sufferers, which is why the question quickly arises whether patients can remove tartar themselves.

Read more on the topic: Removal of tartar

There are special tartar removers for this. A tartar remover is primarily there to gently loosen the mineralized plaque from the tooth without damaging the tooth. Mineralized plaques are deposits that are solidified by the saliva after they have remained in the mouth. There are many different variants and devices that promise to gently remove the tartar. But does it make sense to do this yourself as a layperson or can teeth and gums be damaged as a result?

Read more on the topic: How can you remove tartar yourself?

What are the different types and types of scaler?

Mechanical ultrasound removal is primarily carried out with ultrasound devices or with sandblasting devices such as the Airflow. These methods are well established in dental practices. Since these instruments are associated with some risks, they should only be used by trained personnel and not independently. Ultrasonic toothbrushes, which can remove light tartar deposits with high vibrations, are alternatives for removing tartar on your own. However, this cannot remove massive deposits. Electric tartar removers work without ultrasound and mechanically reduce tartar deposits.

However, most of them are not considered medical devices and are therefore not tested and suitable. Tartar erasers are available in the drugstore, with which the user can mechanically "erase" tartar independently. There are also scaler sets for sale that contain sharpened hand instruments. These include tartar scrapers, currettes and scalers. These instruments should also only be used by trained personnel, as there is a risk of injury.

Ultrasonic scaler

The dentist uses an ultrasound device that generates vibrations of 20 to 40 kHz. The ultrasonic vibrations of the piezo crystal inside the device ensure that tartar deposits are blown off. When used correctly without pressure, this happens without damaging the tooth enamel or dentin. The ultrasound device is cooled by water during the oscillation, as otherwise it would heat the teeth so much during use that the nerve and blood vessels inside the tooth chamber would die. If the tip is not attached properly, there is a risk of damage to the hard tooth substance. Therefore, this device should only be used under supervision and by trained personnel so that tartar is gently removed.

Electric scaler

Electric scalers include electricity-operated devices, including ultrasound devices, which represent a special group. In the dental practice, the sandblasting device is also part of it, with which the deposits are removed with a mixture of powder, water and air. There are other electric tartar removers on the Internet, but they are not medical products and are therefore not suitable. They can do more harm than help.

What belongs to a scaler set

A scaler set consists of several hand instruments. This usually includes a mouth mirror so that the affected areas of tartar in the oral cavity, which usually appear on the back of the lower anterior teeth, can be optimally inspected. The set, which is mostly made of stainless steel and can be sterilized, also consists of sharpened instruments that can scrape off the tartar.

This includes the tartar scraper, scalers and curettes, which should be used with great care. Curettes and scalers are two-sided instruments. Scalers are sharpened on both sides, currettes only on one side. With the thin instruments, interdental spaces (the space between the teeth) can be reached particularly well in order to free them from tartar. Most of the instruments are also used in the dental practice, but are regularly disinfected, sterilized and resharpened.

All of these after-treatments are not possible for private use, which is a disadvantage. In this way, bacteria can possibly stick to the instruments and be transferred during subsequent use. This can cause inflammation and infection. In addition, the sharp instruments represent a source of danger, since teeth and gums can easily be injured by incorrect handling. For these reasons, it is not advisable to use a scaler set yourself.

Should you use it to remove tartar yourself?

In general, it is not advisable to treat yourself with hard, scratchy objects that are not suitable for the application. The tartar is often so hard due to the mineralization that it can only be loosened with great effort. This inevitably leads to injury to the enamel or dentin. Furthermore, the patient can also severely damage the gums and seriously injure them if they slip, so that, in the worst case, sutures have to be performed.

The risks of incorrect use of most special tartar tools are so high that it is not advisable to use them on your own. In addition, there is a lack of specialist knowledge to thoroughly remove tartar from teeth. The only device that can be used with relatively little risk is the tartar eraser, which, however, can only remove light deposits. Going to the dentist for tartar removal, which is covered once a year by the statutory health insurance, is the safest way to go. In the course of professional teeth cleaning, the tartar is completely removed.

Read more on the topic: Removal of tartar

What are the risks?

If used independently or incorrectly, there is a risk of damaging the hard tooth substances. The enamel layer or dentin layer can be so heavily removed that the tooth is weakened. The tooth becomes sensitive to thermal stimuli and the vessels and nerves within the tooth chamber can become inflamed. An inflammation of the nerve tissue, a pulpitis, always results in a root canal treatment and the tooth is then "dead".

Read more on the topic: Root canal treatment

This makes it brittle and has to be crowned because of the increased risk of breakage. Furthermore, an inexperienced user can injure the soft tissues if they slip. The gums can be damaged to such an extent that sutures are necessary. Wounded gums also tend to become infected.

What is a tartar eraser?

A variant of gently removing weak tartar yourself is the tartar eraser, which is also available in retail drugstores. The eraser is made of rubber that has been mixed with particles. These particles are abrasive and can remove tartar mechanically. The tartar eraser can not only remove tartar, but also discoloration caused by tea, coffee, red wine and nicotine consumption. When using it, it is important that the gums are not injured and that too much pressure is not applied in order not to damage the hard dental tissue.

If the pressure is too high, there is a risk that hard tooth substances such as enamel or dentine can be removed. This permanently damages the teeth. In general, it is possible to remove light tartar deposits with the tartar eraser. However, massive, stubborn deposits can hardly be removed manually with the eraser. It is advisable to use the tartar eraser only if the application can be carried out well and safely. If the person concerned feels unsafe with the instrument or if the tartar deposits are too massive, it is better to consult the dentist to remove tartar.

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What does a scaler cost?

The prices of the various products for removing tartar vary greatly. The cheapest option are tartar erasers from drugstores, which are available for around twenty euros. Tartar remover sets are priced at around thirty euros, as they are usually made of solid stainless steel. The cost range for electric tartar removers varies from around fifteen euros to around one hundred euros. The expensive tartar tools include devices that can generate ultrasound. Ultrasonic toothbrushes are in a price segment of one hundred and fifty to three hundred euros. Correct dental ultrasound devices in the dental practice cost around three hundred to one thousand euros.