9 | P a g e
www.UltimaDentalSystems.com
Piezo Scaler Quick Reference Guide
Magnetostrictive vs Piezo Electric Scalers
What’s the difference?
Developed In the 1950’s, Magnetostrictive units (cavitron style) vibrate a tip (insert) at either 25k or 35k
(cps). The handpiece of a magnetostrictive ultrasonic is hard wired into the ultrasonic unit, therefore it is
not detachable nor autoclavable.
The tip is attached to several long metallic stacks. These stacks are inserted into the handpiece. Under the
handpiece and surrounding the metal stacks are several coiled wires which when excited by electricity give
a vibration to the insert’s stacked metal plates caused by a “magnetic field” which is produced. The tip of
the insert vibrates in an elliptical motion.
The handpiece generates a tremendous amount of heat, which requires a high volume of water to
constantly run through the hand piece to keep it cool. This excessive amount of water causes the
practitioner poor visibility. IT BASICALLY WORKS LIKE A JACK-HAMMER.
Piezo was first developed in 1972 by SATELEC. The handpieces are detachable and autoclavable. Inside
the hand piece is the “transducer”. The transducer consists of ceramic disks stacked next to one another.
These ceramic disks have high quartz content and when excited with electricity they compress and
decompress causing a controlled vibration, the result is an ultrasonic vibration in a linear motion (forward
and backward) on the same plane as the handpiece.
There is very little to no heat generated in the handpiece requiring a minimal amount of water, which means
better visibility for the practitioner and a dryer patient. The water from the tip flushes removed deposits and
is required for “the cavitation effect” to de-bride bio-film.
The linear tip motion is also more efficient and more comfortable. When the magnetostrictive tip vibrates, it
bangs on the surface of the tooth to knock calculus off in chunks, where as a piezo tip vibrates linearly so
the tip works along the tooth surface, shaving calculus off in sheets. Satelec piezo ultrasonic scalers also
leave the tooth surface smoother than other ultrasonic scalers, sonic scaler, and hand instrumentation.
Visit www.UltimaDentalSystems.com for helpful videos and tips on how to get the most out for
your Ultima!
For technical assist or questions, simply call (888) 900-8584 and one of our knowledgeable
customer support members will help you with what you need Monday through Friday 9am to
5pm Est.
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General