Histological and profilometric evaluation of the root surface after instrumentation with a new piezoelectric device - ex vivo study

Root surface roughness evaluation following application of different periodontal instruments and Er:YAG laser: A profilometry and SEM study

AIM

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of 30°-angled Er:YAG laser tip and different periodontal instruments on root surface roughness and morphology in vitro.

METHODS

Eighteen bovine teeth root without carious lesion were decoronated from the cementoenamel junction and seperated longitidunally. A total of 36 obtained blocks were mounted in resin blocks and polished with silicon carbide papers under water irrigation. These blocks were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups. In Group 1, 30°-angled Er:YAG laser (2.94 μm) tip was applied onto the blocks with a 20 Hz, 120 mJ energy output under water irrigation for 20 s. In Groups 2 and 3, the same treatment was applied to the blocks with new generation ultrasonic tip and conventional curette apico-coronally for 20 s with a sweeping motion. Surface roughness and morphology were evaluated before and after instrumentation with a profilometer and SEM, respectively.

RESULTS

After instrumentation, profilometric analysis revealed significantly higher roughness values compared to baseline in all treatment groups(p < 0.05). Laser group revealed the roughest surface morphology followed by conventional curette and new generation ultrasonic tip treatment groups (p < 0.05). In SEM analysis, irregular surfaces and crater defects were seen more frequently in the laser group.

CONCLUSION

Results of the study showed that the use of new generation ultrasonic tip was associated with smoother surface morphology compared to 30°-angled Er-YAG laser tip and conventional curette. Further in vitro and in vivo studies with an increased sample size are necessary to support the present study findings.

Comparison of Root Surface Wear and Roughness Resulted from Different Ultrasonic Scalers and Polishing Devices Applied on Human Teeth: An In-Vitro Study

The aim of the present study was to compare the root surface wear and roughness, resulted from the professional dental hygiene instruments, including ultrasonic dental scalers, rubber prophy cups, and nylon bristle brushes, on the extracted human mandibular incisor teeth. Teeth (n = 80) were randomly assigned into eight groups according to the applied scaler type (Ma = Magnetostrictive, Pi = Piezoelectric), degree of power (M = Medium, F = Full), and angulation (0° and 45°). In the second stage, the specimens (n = 40) were further divided into two groups according to the applied polishing device (nylon bristle brush or rubber prophy cup). Laser scanner and contact profilometer devices were used for the surface analysis. Both ultrasonic instruments tested in our study produced rougher surfaces when full power was used at a 0° angle (p < 0.01). The highest wear (0.82 ± 0.07 mm3) and roughness values (0.30 ± 0.01 µm) were detected in the PiF0 group. Polishing performed with a rubber prophy cup resulted in almost twice the wear as well as a smoother surface when compared to polishing performed with a nylon bristle brush (p < 0.001). Variations in the application parameters of ultrasonic scalers and the type of polishing instrument might lead to significantly different root-surface characteristics.

Profilometric Analysis of Periodontally Diseased Root Surfaces After Application of Different Instrumentation Tools: An In Vitro Study

Objective: The topography of the root surface plays an important role in plaque accumulation, cell adhesion, and periodontal healing. The aim of this study is to profilometrically evaluate the root surface changes following the instrumentation using different tools. Methods: Forty dentin blocks of buccal and lingual root surfaces were obtained from 20 single-rooted periodontally diseased hopeless teeth and randomly divided into 4 groups. Each group was subjected to different root instrumentation tools such as stainless steel (SS) Gracey curette (Group 1); titanium nitride (TIN) Gracey curette (Group 2); ultrasonic piezoelectric device with a special tip designed for root surfaces (H3) (Group 3); and Er:YAG laser (Er:YAG tip) chisel (Group 4). A calibrated clinician instrumented all surfaces in each group. The root surfaces were profilometrically evaluated before and after instrumentations. Results: There were no statistical differences between the initial roughness levels of the groups. TIN curettes revealed the most prominent effect on smoothing the surface, whereas the Er:YAG tip showed the highest roughness in comparison with the other root surface instrumentation tools. Conclusions: Considering the importance of root surface roughness after treatment for the success of periodontal therapy, the TIN curette was the most periodontally appealing tool followed by H3, SS curette, and Er:YAG tip.