How To Remove Difficult & Tenacious Calculus (Tartar)
TLDRIn this informative video, dental hygienist Whitney shares her top tips for removing stubborn calculus. She emphasizes the importance of using various tools such as ultrasonic scalers, hand scalers, and curettes, and the value of tactile feedback in detecting and removing tartar. Whitney also discusses the importance of patient comfort and the support of colleagues in challenging cases, providing reassurance and practical advice for dental hygienists at all levels.
Takeaways
- 😀 Whitney is a dental hygienist sharing tips on removing difficult calculus.
- 🛠️ She recommends starting with an ultrasonic scaler to remove the bulk of tartar.
- 🔍 A scaler is her preferred tool for calculus detection due to its precision and tactile feedback.
- 🔨 Curettes are particularly useful for burnished calculus, allowing for layer-by-layer removal.
- 🔄 After initial removal, she suggests revisiting the area with the ultrasonic to ensure thorough cleaning and irrigation.
- 🧽 Floss is used to check for smoothness and detect any remaining grainy tartar.
- 🔎 An explorer and air are used to locate and confirm the presence of any residual calculus.
- 🔄 If calculus is detected, repeat the cleaning process with ultrasonic, hand scaler, and curette.
- 👥 It's advised to ask a colleague or supervisor for a second opinion if unsure about calculus removal.
- 👩⚕️ Even experienced clinicians can find tartar removal challenging, so it's a common concern.
- 💊 Whitney mentions the use of topical gel for patient comfort, especially when not performing an SRP.
Q & A
What is the main topic of Whitney's video?
-The main topic of Whitney's video is how to remove difficult calculus (tartar) in dental hygiene practice.
What advice did the senior dental hygiene student give to Whitney?
-The senior dental hygiene student advised Whitney to use everything she has and see what works for removing difficult calculus.
What is the first tool Whitney recommends using for removing calculus?
-Whitney recommends starting with an ultrasonic scaler to remove the bulk of a large piece of tartar.
Why does Whitney prefer using a scaler after the ultrasonic scaler?
-Whitney prefers using a scaler because it helps her feel what she is removing and detect any remaining grainy pieces of tartar.
How does Whitney handle burnished calculus?
-For burnished calculus, Whitney goes in with a curette, as it allows her to remove the calculus layer by layer more effectively.
What does Whitney do after using the curette?
-After using the curette, Whitney goes back in with the ultrasonic scaler to ensure the area is irrigated and any residual debris is cleaned out.
How does Whitney check if the tooth surface is smooth after calculus removal?
-Whitney checks the tooth surface by wrapping floss around the tooth to feel if it's smooth and using an explorer and air to locate any remaining calculus.
What is Whitney's advice for dealing with a difficult piece of calculus that she can't locate?
-If Whitney can't locate the calculus, she suggests using the probe end of an explorer, which is longer and can help in deep pockets, and repeating the cleaning motions.
What should you do if you're unsure about the calculus removal process?
-If you're unsure, Whitney advises asking your boss or a co-worker for their preferred protocol, which may include taking a post-op x-ray or having another hygienist double-check the work.
How does Whitney address patient comfort during calculus removal?
-Whitney suggests using a topical gel to numb the area and dipping the scaler into it to make the procedure more comfortable for the patient.
Where can viewers find more information about dental hygiene and healthy teeth?
-Viewers can find more information on Whitney's website, seattlegirl.com, which has articles and videos about healthy teeth and mouths, as well as information for new grads and current hygienists.
Outlines
🦷 Dental Hygienist's Guide to Removing Calculus
Whitney, a dental hygienist, introduces herself and sets the stage for a tutorial on tackling difficult calculus deposits. She recalls advice from a senior student to use all available tools and techniques to address tough tartar, emphasizing the importance of personal experience and comfort with dental instruments. Whitney outlines her preferred method, starting with an ultrasonic scaler to remove the bulk of the calculus, followed by a manual scaler for precision detection and removal, especially for burnished calculus. She also mentions the use of curettes for layer-by-layer removal and the importance of re-evaluating with floss to ensure smoothness, suggesting the use of an explorer and air for hard-to-detect areas. Whitney concludes by encouraging viewers to ask for help or follow office protocols if unsure, highlighting the universal challenge of removing tenacious tartar and the value of patient comfort.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dental Hygienist
💡Calculus
💡Ultrasonic Scaler
💡Scaler
💡Curette
💡Burnished Calculus
💡Water Lavage
💡Floss
💡Explorer
💡SRP (Scaling and Root Planing)
💡Topical Gel
Highlights
Whitney, a dental hygienist, shares her tips on removing difficult calculus.
Advice from a senior dental hygiene student emphasizes using all available tools to tackle calculus.
Ultrasonic scaler is recommended as the initial tool for removing large pieces of tartar.
Scaler is Whitney's preferred instrument for calculus detection due to its sensitivity.
Curettes are particularly useful for removing burnished calculus layer by layer.
This video is not a dental hygiene educational video but a tips and tricks session from a clinical hygienist.
Using ultrasonic scaler again at the end ensures the area is irrigated and clean.
Checking with dental floss helps to feel if the tooth surface is smooth or has residual tartar.
If floss detects a bump, an explorer and air can be used to locate and remove it.
The explorer's probe end is useful for reaching deep pockets to detect tartar.
Repeating the ultrasonic scaler, hand scaler, and curette process ensures thorough removal.
Checking with floss, air, and explorer after each removal ensures smoothness.
Asking a colleague or supervisor for a second opinion can be helpful in difficult cases.
Protocols may vary, so it's important to know the preferred procedures in one's workplace.
Even experienced clinicians can find tartar removal challenging, so don't be discouraged.
Topical gel can be used to numb the area and make the procedure more comfortable for patients.
Whitney's website, seattlegirl.com, offers more resources for dental hygiene professionals.
Transcripts
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