Glossary entry
Magnetostrictive Scaling
Also called: Magneto scaler
Magnetostrictive scaling uses metal stacks or ferrite rods that vibrate under a changing magnetic field, producing elliptical tip motion at around 25-30 kHz — the technology behind the Dentsply Cavitron family.
What is magnetostrictive scaling?
A magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaler generates tip motion via a stack of ferromagnetic laminations (or a ferrite rod) inside an electromagnetic coil. When the coil's alternating current changes polarity, the stack changes shape, producing an elliptical tip trajectory at roughly 25-30 kHz.
Elliptical motion means every face of the tip is active during the cycle, in contrast to piezo's linear motion where only two faces are active. Magnetostrictive generates more heat and requires more water; cooling and tip selection are more critical.
When is it used?
Magnetostrictive scalers are preferred for:
- Heavy supragingival calculus removal
- Gross-debridement workflows
- Practices standardized on Dentsply Cavitron equipment