Calculus removal with diamond-coated ultrasonic inserts in vitro.

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
• Journal: Journal of periodontology (J Periodontol) Vol. 78 Issue 1 Pg. 122-6 (Jan 2007) ISSN: 0022-3492 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17199548 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, 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