What is an ultrasonic cleaner primarily used for?

An ultrasonic cleaner is primarily utilized for cleaning dental instruments and carbide burs due to its effective mechanism that relies on high-frequency sound waves to agitate the cleaning solution. The agitation produced by the ultrasonic waves creates tiny cavitation bubbles in the liquid, which collapse with enough force to dislodge contaminants, debris, and biofilms from the surfaces of instruments.

This method is particularly valuable in dental settings, where maintaining high standards of cleanliness and sterility is crucial for patient safety and infection control. By cleaning instruments thoroughly before sterilization, an ultrasonic cleaner ensures that all residual material is removed, making the subsequent sterilization process more effective.

While other options mention tasks related to dental care and hygiene, they do not accurately reflect the specific function of an ultrasonic cleaner. For example, cleaning dental radiographs involves different procedures and tools, eliminating plaque from teeth typically involves brushing and scaling, and disinfecting dental chairs relies on surface disinfectants rather than an ultrasonic cleaning method.