title: Surface alterations of several dental materials by a novel ultrasonic scaler tip.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of a recently developed ultrasonic scaler tip, composed mainly of copper, on the surfaces of several dental materials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Representative samples of dental materials, including titanium, type II gold, cobalt-chromium alloy, zirconia, and porcelain, were prepared. Three ultrasonic scaler tips of conventional metal (CM), carbon composite (CC), and copper alloy (CA) were prepared. To simulate ultrasonic scaling in an oral environment, 30 g of force was applied using a double-pan balance, and the scaler tip was allowed to move horizontally 5 mm for three consecutive cycles of 20 seconds each. The power of the scaler tip was set to intermediate according to the manufacturer's advice. The surface morphology of each dental material was examined using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed through one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Scheffé test. All values were considered significant when P < .05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surface alterations of titanium, type II gold, and cobalt-chromium alloy by the CM tip were much greater than those caused by the CC and CA tips. No alterations were created on the zirconia surface by the CM, CC, or CA tips. On the porcelain surface, surface roughness (Ra) induced by the CM tip was 1.86 and 1.72 times higher than that produced by the CC and CA tips, respectively (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study, the surface alterations induced by CC and CA tips on the surfaces of dental materials were comparable. Therefore, this novel ultrasonic copper alloy scaler tip may possibly be used for the maintenance of implant prostheses.
authors: Department of Prosthodontics and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Hyon-Woo
authors: HW
authors: Seol
authors: Seong-Joo
authors: SJ
authors: Heo
authors: Jai-Young
authors: JY
authors: Koak
authors: Seong-Kyun
authors: SK
authors: Kim
authors: Seung-Ho
authors: SH
authors: Baek
authors: Su-Young
authors: SY
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003764:Dental Materials; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006047:Gold Alloys; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015040:Zirconium
chemical_list: D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; D006047:Gold Alloys; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium; C028541:zirconium oxide