| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Efficient calculus removal is a primary goal in periodontal therapy. Diamond-coated ultrasonic inserts (DIs) offer promise for improved scaling and were evaluated in vitro. METHODS: Extracted human teeth with moderate to severe calculus had areas of calculus ( approximately 5 x 5 mm) delineated with small burs. Each calculus area was treated under 2.5x magnification to the point of visible root cleanliness with sharp Gracey curets (hand instruments [HIs]), plain ultrasonic inserts (PIs), or ultrasonic inserts with fine-grit diamond coating; the latter two were used in a magnetostrictive ultrasonic instrument at a medium power setting. Each curet or insert was used for four teeth and then replaced by a new instrument. The time needed to clean each tooth/surface was recorded. The total area treated and the area of the residual calculus were calculated using an imaging analysis program. RESULTS: The mean time required for clinical calculus removal was 29.7 seconds for DIs, 91.9 seconds for PIs, and 49.8 seconds for HIs (all P <0.0001 from each other). Overall, the mean percentage of residual calculus was 6.3% for DIs, 5.4% for PIs, and 3.1% for HIs (significant differences between HIs and the other treatments). CONCLUSIONS: In vitro calculus removal was faster with DIs, followed by HIs and PIs. More residual calculus was found with the DIs; however, the 1% to 3% difference (93.7% clean versus 94.6% clean versus 96.9% clean with DIs, PIs, and HIs, respectively) does not seem to be clinically significant. |
| Authors | Raymond A Yukna, Sotirios Vastardis, Elizabeth T Mayer
(Affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. ray.yukna at uchsc.edu)
|
| Journal | Journal of periodontology
(J Periodontol)
Vol. 78
Issue 1
Pg. 122-6
(Jan 2007)
ISSN: 0022-3492 United States |
| PMID | 17199548
(Publication Type: Evaluation Studies, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
| Chemical References |
- Coated Materials, Biocompatible
- Diamond
|
| Topics |
- Coated Materials, Biocompatible
- Dental Calculus
(therapy)
- Dental Instruments
- Dental Scaling
(instrumentation)
- Diamond
- Equipment Design
- Humans
- Time Factors
- Ultrasonic Therapy
|
