New research identifies the role of small bubbles in teeth cleaning (w / video)

Research on the science behind the ultrasonic scaler used by dentists to remove plaque accumulates, since the formation is identified by tiny bubbles around the top of the key for the cleaning process.

The formation of bubbles or cavitation , the water around the head of the climber was observed using high - speed cameras . Various power measurement and the shape of the head, were used and quantify models compared to cavitation.

The team believes that developed in this study methods to help test new models of instruments to maximize cavitation to design ultrasonic scaler that operate without contact with the tooth surface. Thus, the process would teeth at the dentist cleaning are much less to make painful and more efficient.

The findings, published in PLoS ONE, the first that the cavitation to demonstrate, occurs at the free end of the ultrasonic - scaler.

Professor Damien Walmsley, of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Birmingham, said, "the removal of plaque and tartar, which is the accumulation of what we know as an indication or a hard drive, it's a big part of maintaining oral health -. dental regular occurrence and dental examinations These results help us understand how to make them as effective tools as possible. "

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Cavitation at the top of the meter. Credit: University of Birmingham

Satelec scaler is operated at 29 kHz with three points in different ways, is examined the operational performance medium and the high high-speed imaging at 15,000, 90,000 and 250,000 frames per second, and shift peak was recorded using Vibrometry laser scanning.

The device is not only able to show that cavitation occurs in the free end of the top, but also increases the power and area and width of the cloud of cavitation varies for different form of counseling.

Nina Vyas, Lead - started at the University of Birmingham, said: "Other studies that we have done, electron microscopy showed that the removal of the plate biofilm increases as cavitation increases put the pieces together, we can say that . the change in the shape and strength of these common tools that are more efficient, and hopefully painless ".

Further information: Nina Vyas et al. , High - Speed ​​- imaging of ultrasound - cavitation to scaler tip, PLoS ONE (2016) DOI: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0149804

Journal reference: PLoS ONE

Source: University of Birmingham

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