Periodontal scaler

Periodontal scalers have sharp tips to access tight embrasure spaces between teeth and are triangular in cross-section.

A posterior scaler shown in relation to a posterior tooth on a typodont.

Periodontal scalers are dental instruments used in the prophylactic and periodontal care of teeth (most often human teeth), including scaling and root planing. The working ends come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they are always narrow at the tip, so as to allow for access to narrow embrasure spaces between teeth. They differ from periodontal curettes, which possess a blunt tip.

Use

Together with periodontal curettes, periodontal scalers are used to remove calculus from teeth. While curettes are often universal in that they can be used on both supra- and sub-gingival calculus removals, scalers are restricted to supra-gingival use.^[1] Use of a scaler below the gum line is likely to damage the gingiva (gums).^[2]

The anterior scaler (yellow ring) is straight, while the posterior scaler (orange ring) has an angled terminal shank (highlighted in red) to allow for easy access to the surfaces of posterior teeth.

Scalers have scraping edges on both sides of their blades and thus are fit for both mesial and distal surfaces of any tooth in the area in which they are being used.^[2]

Scalers are best used when their terminal shank, namely, the last portion of the functional shank closest to the working end, is angled slightly toward the surface of the tooth.^[2]

Dentistry involving supporting structures of teeth (Periodontology)

Anatomy

Disease

Diagnoses	Chronic periodontitis Localized aggressive periodontitis Generalized aggressive periodontitis Periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic disease Periodontosis Necrotizing periodontal diseases Abscesses of the periodontium Combined periodontic-endodontic lesions

Infection	A. actinomycetemcomitans Capnocytophaga sp. F. nucleatum P. gingivalis P. intermedia T. forsythia T. denticola Red complex

Other	Calculus Clinical attachment loss Edentulism Fremitus Furcation defect Gingival enlargement Gingival pocket Gingival recession Gingivitis Horizontal bony defect Linear gingival erythema Occlusal trauma Periodontal pocket Periodontal disease Periodontitis Plaque Vertical bony defect

Treatment and prevention	Periodontal examination Ante's law Brushing Bleeding on probing Chlorhexidine gluconate Flossing Hydrogen peroxide Mouthwash Oral hygiene Tetracycline Triclosan Host modulatory therapy

Treatment

Conventional therapy	Debridement Scaling and root planing Full mouth disinfection Full mouth ultrasonic debridement

Surgery	Apically positioned flap Bone graft Coronally positioned flap Crown lengthening Open flap debridement Gingival graft Gingivectomy Guided bone regeneration Guided tissue regeneration Enamel matrix derivative Implant placement Lateral pedicle graft Pocket reduction surgery Socket preservation Sinus lift Subepithelial connective tissue graft Tools Curette Membrane Probe Scaler

Important personalities

Other specialties

Endodontology
Orthodontology
Prosthodontology

References

↑ Nield-Gehrig, Jill S. (2008). Fundamentals of periodontal instrumentation & advanced root instrumentation (6th ed. ed.). Philadelphia, PA [etc.]: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 287, 309. ISBN 978-0-7817-6992-1. CS1 maint: Extra text (link)
1 2 3 Nield-Gehrig, Jill S. (2008). Fundamentals of periodontal instrumentation & advanced root instrumentation (6th ed. ed.). Philadelphia, PA [etc.]: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 288. ISBN 978-0-7817-6992-1. CS1 maint: Extra text (link)

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