Abstract
The aim of our study was to investigate the root surface after scaling and root planning (SRP) made with Periotor inserts and contra angle handpiece Profin, comparatively with other two very popular SRP techinques: Gracey curette and ultrasonic piezoelectric scaler with perio-tips. A total number of 30 teeth extracted for periodontal causes were used, 10 teeth for each method of scaling. Samples were examined using ESEM and for each sample micrographs were obtained in four magnifications (× 200 × 1000 × 2000 × 5000). Two examiners blinded to the scaling method but previously trained in evaluating the root surface morphology using RSSL index, examined each micrograph and established a RSSL score. It was considered the highest score for each sample and the average scores were calculated for each group. Lowest scores were obtained by scaling with Periotor inserts followed closely by ultrasonic scaling with perio-tips. Use of Gracey’s curettes left the most extensive areas of dentin denudation and in some samples even traces of scratching. In conclusion, our study highlights that using Periotor inserts for root surface scaling the root surface morphology obtained is the most regular and even with fewest dentin denudation areas.
Keywords: Periotor; Gracey’s curette; ultrasonic perio-tip; surface morphology; ESEM