08/31/2026
Why dental hygienists use so many different instruments during a cleaning?
Why the air polisher?
Why the ultrasonic scaler?
Why the hand instruments?
Why not just use one tool for everything?
So I decided to put them to the test.
Using my typodont (and some homemade "fake tartar"), I'll be demonstrating what each instrument is designed to do, what it can't do, and why I choose them in a specific sequence.
The goal isn't to find a "winner." Each instrument has a different purpose, and understanding that can help make sense of what happens during a dental hygiene appointment.
Part 1 is coming next:
Why Air Polishing Can't Remove Tartar 🦷
Is there a dental instrument you've always been curious about?