Influence of air-polishing devices and abrasives on root dentin-an in vitro confocal laser scanning microscope study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the influence of air-polishing devices and various abrasives on flat root surfaces.


METHODS
A total of 168 natural teeth were embedded in polyurethane resin and treated with airborne-particle abrasion using two air-polishing devices (Prophyflex 3, KaVo; EMS Handy, EMS), four abrasives (Airflow powder, EMS; Cleaning powder, KaVo; ClinPro powder, 3M ESPE; and ProphyPearls, KaVo), and three treatment times (5, 10, and 20 seconds). Defects were quantified using a confocal laser scanning microscope.


RESULTS
The Prophyflex device clearly generated deeper substance defects compared to the EMS device, regardless of abrasive used (Kruskal-Wallis, P = .004). ProphyPearls abrasive caused the deepest defects with both devices. ClinPro powder produced the least amount of defects. Defect depths increased significantly for all abrasives with increasing treatment times (Kruskal-Wallis, P = .01), and all abrasives except ClinPro powder caused substantial volume loss.


CONCLUSIONS
The abrasiveness of air-polishing powders differs depending on the polishing device used. ProphyPearls caused more substance loss than ClinPro powder.
Pelka
Matthias
M
University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Dental Clinic 1 - Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Germany. pelka@dent.uni-erlangen.de
Trautmann
Sandra
S
Petschelt
Anselm
A
Lohbauer
Ullrich
U
D020906:Air Abrasion, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005998:Glycine / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010316:Particle Size; D011208:Powders; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D011208:Powders; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D005998:Glycine