[Ultrasonic and sonic scalers in periodontics. A review]

Periodontal treatment aims at the removal of calculus and bacterial deposits from the tooth surface. Sonic and ultrasonic scalers are mainly used during initial therapy and their use is often limited to the supragingival area. Subgingival instrumentation is usually performed with hand curettes. Recent literature shows that clinical and bacteriological results obtained after treatment of periodontal lesions with sonic or ultrasonic scalers are similar to those observed following hand curettage. In addition, recent ultrasonic scalers allow irrigation with sterile or antiseptic solutions. Finally, new inserts are better designed for subgingival instrumentation. Altogether, these observations give a new dimension to these instruments.