Root surface alterations following manual and mechanical scaling: A comparative study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological and surface roughness changes in dental root samples following periodontal scaling by hand curette, piezoelectric ultrasonic devices or a combination of these. Methods: Twenty-four monoradicular teeth extracted as a result of periodontal disease were divided into 4 groups: Group A was treated by piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler Piezon (R) Master 400; Group P by piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler PiezoSmart (R); Group C using Gracey curette 7/8; Group AC by a combined technique of piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler Piezon (R) Master 400 and Gracey curette 7/8. The treated samples were then analysed using a white light interferometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Roughness analysis revealed major surface alterations in Group C (S-a=24.98 mu m); the samples treated using the combined technique (Group AC) showed reduced but still significant alteration (S-a=14.48 mu m), while samples treated with the piezoelectric ultrasonic devices (Group A and Group P) presented the lowest roughness values (S-a=8.99 and S-a=4.45 mu m, respectively). A significant difference was found between groups C and P (P=0.036). SEM analysis confirmed the roughness analysis revealing non-homogeneous surfaces in Group C, while a less morphological alteration was noted in the other groups. Conclusion: All periodontal devices used in this in vitro study produced a certain degree of surface alteration. Hand curettes appear to have a major impact on surface integrity compared with piezoelectric ultrasonic devices.