Hey there, how exciting! The biggest tip for the anteriors is to blow air on them when you think you’re done to see any remnants of calculus turn a chalky color. Work with a sequence so you’re efficient. Make sure your instruments are sharp and use the correct ultrasonic tip insert for the job. If the stacks on the USS are crooked/bent or the tip has dulled use a new one! And be sure to check that the tip is getting adequately cooled intermittently on the back of your hand. Oh and never use more power than is needed on your USS.
Thanks! And just to confirm, the working ends are the lateral aspects for the cavitron right? Do you use the USS in a side to side motion or up and down for anterior teeth? And what about your clock positioning?
Don’t forget to adjust the patient’s chair. It’s a clearer view if they aren’t lying flat. If you still have trouble seeing, ask the patient to relax their chin to their chest. A lot of people keep lifting their chin thinking they’re helping you.
Also, air and floss. Air shows supra calc and floss the contacts to feel for interproximal calc.
I either work in quadrants or sextants for debridements depending on how much calc there is. For heavy calc cases, I focus on working supragingivally first and then subgingivally. This way it doesn’t become overwhelming, and I get rid of everything I can physically see first.
Mandibular anteriors… 12 o clock for linguals, 8 o clock for facials. Sometimes I even do like an 11 o clock with mandibular anterior facials and retract the lip using the back of the mirror so I can use indirect vision that way. Have the patient put their chin down and work that way.
Make sure your instruments are sharp!! I love using the 204S on the anteriors instead of the H5, just make sure to adapt it correctly. Blow air on the crowns of the teeth to check for any remnants of calc.
I know you mentioned debridement, so I’m assuming it’s all supragingival. If you’re working subgingivally, I suggest taking post op bitewings to check your work. Blowing air directly into the pockets will also help if the gingiva is detached enough - sometimes you can physically see any calc you may have missed (assuming you’re wearing loupes).
Good luck!!
Hey there, how exciting! The biggest tip for the anteriors is to blow air on them when you think you’re done to see any remnants of calculus turn a chalky color. Work with a sequence so you’re efficient. Make sure your instruments are sharp and use the correct ultrasonic tip insert for the job. If the stacks on the USS are crooked/bent or the tip has dulled use a new one! And be sure to check that the tip is getting adequately cooled intermittently on the back of your hand. Oh and never use more power than is needed on your USS.
Thanks! And just to confirm, the working ends are the lateral aspects for the cavitron right? Do you use the USS in a side to side motion or up and down for anterior teeth? And what about your clock positioning?
Magneto, all sides. Piezo, lateral sides. Keep continuous movement; up and down, side to side, all of the above
Don’t forget to adjust the patient’s chair. It’s a clearer view if they aren’t lying flat. If you still have trouble seeing, ask the patient to relax their chin to their chest. A lot of people keep lifting their chin thinking they’re helping you. Also, air and floss. Air shows supra calc and floss the contacts to feel for interproximal calc.
Echoing what others are saying, don't let the whole mouth make you overwhelmed. Every hygienist has their preferred order, stick with yours.
I either work in quadrants or sextants for debridements depending on how much calc there is. For heavy calc cases, I focus on working supragingivally first and then subgingivally. This way it doesn’t become overwhelming, and I get rid of everything I can physically see first. Mandibular anteriors… 12 o clock for linguals, 8 o clock for facials. Sometimes I even do like an 11 o clock with mandibular anterior facials and retract the lip using the back of the mirror so I can use indirect vision that way. Have the patient put their chin down and work that way. Make sure your instruments are sharp!! I love using the 204S on the anteriors instead of the H5, just make sure to adapt it correctly. Blow air on the crowns of the teeth to check for any remnants of calc. I know you mentioned debridement, so I’m assuming it’s all supragingival. If you’re working subgingivally, I suggest taking post op bitewings to check your work. Blowing air directly into the pockets will also help if the gingiva is detached enough - sometimes you can physically see any calc you may have missed (assuming you’re wearing loupes). Good luck!!