A comparative evaluation of the efficacy of manual, magnetostrictive and piezoelectric ultrasonic instruments: an in vitro profilometric and SEM study

Abstract

ObjectivesThe debridement of diseased root surface is usually performed by mechanical scaling and root planing using manual and power driven instruments. Many new designs in ultrasonic powered scaling tips have been developed. However, their effectiveness as compared to manual curettes has always been debatable. Thus, the objective of this in vitro study was to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of manual, magnetostrictive and piezoelectric ultrasonic instrumentation on periodontally involved extracted teeth using profilometer and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Material and Methods30 periodontally involved extracted human teeth were divided into 3 groups. The teeth were instrumented with hand and ultrasonic instruments resembling clinical application. In Group A all teeth were scaled with a new universal hand curette (Hu Friedy Gracey After Five Vision curette; Hu Friedy, Chicago, USA). In Group B CavitronTM FSI - SLITM ultrasonic device with focused spray slimline inserts (Dentsply International Inc., York, PA, USA) were used. In Group C teeth were scaled with an EMS piezoelectric ultrasonic device with prototype modified PS inserts. The surfaces were analyzed by a Precision profilometer to measure the surface roughness (Ra value in µm) consecutively before and after the instrumentation. The samples were examined under SEM at magnifications ranging from 17x to 300x and 600x. ResultsThe mean Ra values (µm) before and after instrumentation in all the three groups A, B and C were tabulated. After statistically analyzing the data, no significant difference was observed in the three experimental groups. Though there was a decrease in the percentage reduction of Ra values consecutively from group A to C. ConclusionWithin the limits of the present study, given that the manual, magnetostrictive and piezoelectric ultrasonic instruments produce the same surface roughness, it can be concluded that their efficacy for creating a biologically compatible surface of periodontally diseased teeth is similar.

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

“…Within these settings, the piezoelectric ultrasonic device removed almost two times the amount of tooth substance from the root surface compared to the magnetostrictive ultrasonic device (MaM0 = 0.44 ± 0.06 mm 3 , PiF0 = 0.82 ± 0.07 mm 3 ). Following the use of power-driven ultrasonic devices on the root surface, a number of variables, such as generator power, applied force, angulation, time extent, tip form, and tip motion, make root-surface comparisons practically impossible [14,33]. Similar to our roughness findings, we found that changing the ultrasonic scaler type did not exert any significant influence on root-surface wear at the same power settings and application angles (p > 0.05).…”

“…However, Busslinger et al [13] reported that, after instrumentation, a piezoelectric device left a rougher root surface than a magnetostrictive device. The findings of Singh et al [14] differed from the aforementioned studies in that magnetostrictive and piezoelectric ultrasonic tools yielded identical surface-roughness values, and their abilities for constructing a biologically harmonious surface were similar. These conflicting results highlight the need for further evaluation of this subject matter.…”

Effect of root planing on surface topography: an in‐vivo randomized experimental trial

“…Folwaczny et al . found greater surface roughness with ultrasonic scrapers than with manual curette treatment, whereas others reported a similar roughness reduction after curette or ultrasonic treatment . Our finding, of lower roughness values with ultrasonic devices, especially VOU, is consistent with reports of a smoother surface utilizing a VOU device compared with curettes or conventional ultrasonic methods .…”

Salivary arginase activity after mechanical-chemical therapy

“…In the present study, the gingivitis patients underwent full-mouth ultrasonic scaling during one appointment. Apatzidou 32 and Singh et al 33 previously demonstrated good clinical results for this type of treatment. Moreover, this group received oral hygiene instructions and rinsed with an EO mouthwash, which, according to Raslan et al 13 , provided additional benefits when compared to isolated mechanical procedures.…”