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 mum); the samples treated using the combined technique (Group AC) showed reduced but still significant alteration (S(a) = 14.48 mum), 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 mum, 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.