Introduction
Almost everyone is familiar with tartar, as it has to be removed with an ultrasound device during the dental checkup. This application is unpleasant for many of those affected, which is why the question quickly arises as to whether patients can remove tartar themselves. There are special tartar removers for this purpose.
A tartar remover is primarily used to gently remove mineralized plaque from the tooth without damaging the tooth. Mineralized plaque is plaque that is hardened by saliva after a period of time in the mouth. There are many different variants and devices that promise to gently remove the tartar. But does it make sense to do it yourself as a layman or can teeth and gums be damaged by it?
What are the different kinds and types of tartar removers?
Mechanical ultrasonic removal is primarily carried out with ultrasonic devices or with sandblasting devices, such as Airflow. These methods are also established in dental practices. Since these instruments carry 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 an alternative for independent tartar removal. Massive plaque, however, cannot be removed by this method. Electric tartar removers, which reduce tartar deposits by machine, work without ultrasound.
However, most of them are not considered medical devices and are therefore not tested and suitable. Tartar erasers are available in drugstores, with which the user can mechanically “erase” tartar on his own. There are also tartar remover sets available for purchase, which contain sharpened hand instruments. These include tartar scrapers, curettes and scalers. These instruments should also only be used by trained personnel, as there is a risk of injury.
Tartar remover with ultrasound
The dentist uses an ultrasonic device that generates vibrations from 20 to 40kHz. The ultrasonic vibrations of the piezo crystal inside the device ensure that tartar deposits are blasted off. When used correctly without pressure, this happens without damaging the enamel or dentin.
The ultrasound device is cooled by water during the oscillation, otherwise it would heat up the teeth so much during application that the nerve and blood vessels inside the tooth chamber would die. If the tip is not properly attached, 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 removed gently.
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