What actually causes the working end of an ultrasonic insert or tip to vibrate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The transducer is the part of the mechanized ultrasonic instrument where electrical energy is converted to mechanical energy, which in turn causes the working end to vibrate. The contraction and expansion of this part causes the working end to vibrate. The transducer is located within the handpiece and is a stack of metal strips in a magnetostrictive unit and a ceramic rod in a piezoelectric unit. Cavitation and acoustic microstreaming are both related to the water flow, which does not cause the vibration of the working end. The water flow is a byproduct of the unit for cooling, and flushing of the sulcus or periodontal pocket. The foot pedal of any unit starts the activation of the entire ultrasonic process; however, it alone is not responsible for the working end activation.

What Actually Causes the Working End of an Ultrasonic Insert