Yes, ultrasonic tooth cleaning in dogs works.
Effective teeth cleaning is possible by using specially made ultrasonic tooth cleaner and special toothpaste.
Ultrasound waves reach the deep levels of the teeth and remove layers of food and bacteria.
There are other ways to maintain a dog’s dental hygiene, and prevention is always better than treating decayed teeth.
Ultrasonic Dog Teeth Cleaning
- What is Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning?
- Cleaning Method
- Steps of Ultrasonic Dog Teeth Cleaning
- Benefits of Ultrasonic Cleaning
What is Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning?
Ultrasonic brushing of dogs is a procedure that is always performed in the presence of a professional.
It removes plaque and bacteria from the dog’s teeth with the help of a fast-rotating ultrasonic brush and specially made toothpaste.
The procedure is painless and non-invasive, and applying anesthesia to the dog is not necessary.
The ultrasound-induced vibration of the bristles in dental and veterinary applications continues to be the fundamental technology of an ultrasonic teeth cleaner for dogs. [1]
The mechanical energy transmitted from the piezoelectric element causes the bristles to vibrate.
Ultrasonic waves cause high-velocity oral fluid flows and further acoustic microstreaming coupled with high brush oscillations.
That suggests a better clearance of dental biofilm from your dog’s teeth than using only mechanical scratching or sonic frequencies. [2]
In addition to the direct scratching action, the bristle motion of the toothbrush produces a turbulent fluid flow.
This flow directly causes hydrodynamic effects like wall shear forces that act parallel to the tooth surface. [3]
Because they use higher frequencies than manual brushes, electric toothbrushes may make it easier to maintain proper dental hygiene.
Because they operate at an even higher frequency (>20 kHz), ultrasonic and zonic toothbrushes primarily set themselves apart from traditional electrical toothbrushes.
Since hydrodynamic forces are significantly increased, the frequency spectrum may be advantageous even though not audible to the human ear. [4]
Cleaning Method
The cavitation effect involves the beginning, growth, oscillation, and collapse of gas bubbles.
Which is one of the primary physical processes in ultrasonic cleaning.
This process generates solid mechanical forces.
This leads to long-lasting chemical and physical changes on the surfaces.
Stable and inertial cavitation are two subcategories of the cavitation concept.
Steady cavitation is the process of creating stable, resonant oscillations.
In the present microbubbles using low-intensity ultrasonic energy. [5]
Inertial cavitation is the process whereby the ultrasonic intensity is increasing.
This causes the microbubbles first to expand.
In the end it will collapse and release a significant amount of heat into the incoming fluid.
There are three potential methods for removing dental plaque from the tooth surfaces:
- The initial method entails inserting an ultrasonic transducer right into the mouth and letting the vibrations travel through the liquid. The idea behind an ultrasonic cleaner is that the transducer is meant to be submerged in the fluid. [6]
- The second method, which is commonly utilized in modern ultrasonic dental innovation, uses ultrasonic energy to stimulate vibrations in the toothbrush’s head.
- The final method specifies a high-energy tool only used by qualified dentists and transmits vibrations to a metallic tip.
Steps of Ultrasonic Dog Teeth Cleaning
The following steps are taking the main part of the process of ultrasonic teeth cleaning:
- The veterinarian performs an oral examination before the procedure begins
- Laboratory examinations of blood are done
- Sedatives or generalized anesthesia is administered
- An X-ray might be needed
- Using an ultrasonic scaler for removing the tartar and dental plaques from the visible parts above the base of the tooth
- Mechanical dental tools might be used for the smaller plaque particles
- Polishing the teeth is performed at the end of the procedure. [7]
Benefits of Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic teeth cleaning in dogs, as an innovative technology, has the following positive assets:
- Less uncomfortable than conventional scaling tools – it’s pain-free.
- Effective for calculus removal in narrow periodontal pockets, especially in pockets greater than 4mm.
- Effective in disrupting biofilm from root surfaces.
- Their pointy tips penetrate further into gum pockets than other methods and are more effective in narrow tooth decays.
- Kinder of the dental structures.
- The cooling substances provide irrigation.
- Require less time than manual instruments for the same purpose.
- Doesn’t require generalized anesthesia.
- Less tooth disruption than manual procedures.
- Reduced time spent in tooth decay treatment. [8]
Although the procedure has its many benefits, as mentioned before, the following risks must be taken into consideration:
- Creating aerosols that contain high numbers of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus spp.
- Cell disruptions caused by the vibration.
- Platelets damage.
- Auditory damage (tinnitus) to the dog and the veterinarian.
- Not recommended for teeth with pathological demineralization processes.
- Overheating and damage of teeth during the procedure. [9]
Do Ultrasonic Dog Teeth Cleaning Work?
Yes, ultrasonic tooth cleaning in dogs works.
The ultrasound-induced vibration is the fundamental technology of ultrasonic toothbrushes.
There are three potential ways of using ultrasonic teeth cleaning in dogs.
The primary one of each has the highest risk for teeth damage.
This procedure has many benefits, but you must also consider the risks and cost to decide whether this is a good choice for your dog’s dental health.
References