I’m sure many of you have come across those low cost piezo scalers being sold on eBay and have thought to yourself, “I wonder if those things actually work”? Well, I had that same thought a few years ago, so I decided to actually try one. Below are photos of the 3 models I tried with a summary of my experience with each one.
This is the first model I tried. It was used about 60-70 times with half of that use happening on a dental mission. Performance was decent. One day it completely stopped working. No power.
This is the second model I tried. I had good luck with it and decided to purchase a second unit. I used name brand tips on these machines (highly recommended). Both lasted almost two years before developing minor problems (no major problems). Those minor problems included water flow issues, pedal issues, and power issues. All the issues were intermittent, so neither unit never stopped working. Performance was pretty decent.
This model never worked! The water flow could not be controlled at all and the protective tubing going to the handpiece was out of place and could not be fixed, at least not by me. Epic fail on this one.
Do I recommend these eBay scalers?
Yes and no. If you power scale a lot (as you should IMO), then I would say no. I would only recommend them for the following situations.
- If you see mostly healthy patients and prefer to hand scale most of the time.
- As a back up scaler when your primary, name brand scaler needs repair.
- If you don’t mind replacing your scalers every 1-2 years and do not require high end performance.
- For dental mission trips.
Mark Frias, RDH
Have you ever used ultradent DentecTar calculus detecting unit?
I haven’t. I’ll look into it. Do you have experience with it? If so, how do you like it?
I just goggled it and couldn’t find any info.
No
I saw it on eBay today for $100.00 and tried to research it. It looks as if it can out a couple of years ago…but I didn’t even see it on the manufacturer’s website. Someone else is selling one on eBay for $899…I didn’t see any info on hygiene town or other websites so I’m not going to purchase it.
I bought the second unit you showed…maybe 2-3 years ago. I have an Acteon built-in piezo scaler in the newest op here but decided to get this eBay unit for the older 2nd op. I got this model because of the bottle with self-contained water supply. Up until then I was using a magneto-restrictive type of ultrasonic scaler. I didn’t think I’d like the piezo but I definitely was attracted to the variety of tips.
I’ve decided the piezo scalers are excellent and, because of the variety of tips available, I now prefer piezo scalers.
This particular unit has served me well. I like that eBay sellers offer replacement handpieces for a good price (about $80 each) so that I can have them wiped down and autoclaved after use. I’ve never had any problems with the piezo unit or the handpieces.
Separately, I wish the world of piezo scalers all had a standard type of screw but Woodpecker type of tips are not compatible with the Satelec type of tips. They insist on using different screw pitch to make them incompatible.
I’m considering purchasing the Satellec Acteon Piezo scaler because I have a friend who’s a hygienist in the prison system and swears buy it. She believes the piezo is far superior than the magnetosctrictive. But the price tag is around $2500.00. I realize the woodpecker is the cheaper version as you mention but I’d like to get more feedback from you or other RDH’s on the subject. Obviously, the goal is to do as little follow up hand scaling.
Here are my frustrations with cavitron/magnetosctritive tips and why I want to try the piezo units.
1: I feel like no matter how long you spend on a piece of calc there will always be granular calc left which requires fine hand scaling/smoothing. Basically, this is due to the design of the tip, I feel it’s like sweeping the floor with the stick end of a broom vs the broom end. Make sense? So my question is, since the piezo units have the tips with the cutting edge, does this eliminate the need for root smoothing and full mouth residual hand scaling? Do the various tips really act/work more like a curette or sickle? I agree they look to offer a lot more than just a pencil-like tip that the magneotstrictives offer.
2.The Magnetostrictive tips will “swivel” away from the piece of calc once you hit the foot pedal (I realize this can be due to power level/age/unit/tip issue) but as most RDH’s we are bound to what the dentist will provide). Since the piezo tips lock in place, does this eliminate that issue?
3. Magnetorestictive tips seem to never operate the same, even if you buy 3 of the same style, all brand new, they all operate differently. Has anyone else noticed this?
4. Sensitivity of patients when using the MS. Does the piezo work better on sensitive patients? That tenacious calc on roots that needs that extra power to remove isn’t possible with the MS tips I have found.
Those are my main questions.
I work in 2 different offices and like to temp often so transporting a unit to offices with ease is a concern. I was considering just getting the unit that directly hooks into the waterline, but is that more of a hassle than just getting the unit with the reservoir? I was considering buying on ebay, units coming from China or India, but is that more risky than using a representative to buy through? Have you heard if the quality is totally different? I know, lots of questions but I’m gearing up to buy several things from your blog. After 17 years of dental hygiene, I’m ready to work smarter not harder. Thanks again for your blog.
1. My experience has been that piezo tips do not act like hand instruments at all, but I haven’t tried every brand so maybe there is something out there that does.
2. I’ve never had the issue of a MS insert “swiveling away”
3. They may not behave the same, but they are close enough in my experience.
4. I haven’t found much difference with patient sensitivity. If you are having issues removing tenacious calculus with a MS insert I would highly recommend a 25k Parkell Burnett Power tip. Nothing comes close IMO.
I would recommend buying a name brand scaler (not the eBay stuff). If you purchase a piezo scaler you may be able to get a 30-45 day trial period to see if you like it. If you plan to move the scaler I would get one with an internal water source/bottle, especially when temping. I hope that helps.
I have been a a hygienist for 20 years. It’s now Dec 30, 2017. I have used my own piezo units since 2001. I have worked and temped in many, many offices and used many at least 50 magneto (Cavitron – type) units too.
In 2001 I bought a Satelec (now Acteon) unit with a lighted tip, for over $2500. It cost nearly $800 just to repair the handpiece, and they kept it for weeks! Fast forward after a few others including NSK. I now own about 5 of the Satelec compatible Woodpecker DET D-1. Until I find solutions to their shortcomings (see below), I will continue to buy them.
My answers to your questions:
1. YES
2. YES
3. YES
4. HECK YES, almost everyone tolerates it well, all those “no cavitron” people!
I connect it to the dental unit waterlines. Most, if not all, hygiene operatories in my area, greater Northern California, have a water connection outlet. I often use the one that the existing Cavitron is plugged into.
I have to buy a water connection adapter for each machine because these Chinese units do not include one. They are easy to find on Ebay and Amazon for about $8 each.
I have spent $80 to $107 on each of my tips. I have bought at least 25 and about 9 of them I keep in use on a daily basis. I work in 2 offices now, and keep one machine in each. The other hygienists use what the office supplies, so I have to take down and put away mine each workday.
Shortcomings:
***Please keep in mind that compared to the quality that has been supplied by dentists, none of these items is a dealbreaker!***
1. Power control. It is difficult to turn the power down low on these things. The first few units I bought from Satelec and one brand had good power control. The NSK had this same problem though. Now, even though I have bought regulators to plug these into, some seem to be able to go lower with the external regulators, but in general the lowest setting is too high a power level to be absolutely ideal.
2. Reliability. Each machine lasts just about a year or 2 before it has to be replaced.
3. Shipping speed and delivery. They usually take 6 weeks to arrive, if they arrive at all. When they don’t, the sellers have always re-sent and I have received the unit within 2 months of the original order date. Because of this, I try to make sure I have a new spare unit at home always available to replace one that stops working.
Hope this helps you Jennifer!
I found that there are 3 types of tips. EMS, Satelec, and (I forgot). If you check you will find Woodpecker piezo scalers that are compatible with Satelec threads. I prefer the Satelec because of the slim perio curet tip shapes available. (Brasseler P-10, Satelec H3.) They aren’t available in the EMS type.