Calculus removal with diamond-coated ultrasonic inserts in vitro.
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.
Yukna
Raymond A
RA
School of Dentistry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. ray.yukna@uchsc.edu
Vastardis
Sotirios
S
Mayer
Elizabeth T
ET
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000628:therapy*; D003762:Dental Instruments; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018130:Diamond; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D018130:Diamond