Efficacy of glycine powder air polishing in comparison with sodium bicarbonate air polishing and ultrasonic scaling - a double-blind clinico-histopathologic study.
BACKGROUND
Subgingival biofilm removal using glycine powder air polishing (GPAP) has antecedently been shown to be safe. The hypothesis that GPAP is efficacious during periodontal maintenance therapy and results in less gingival erosion than sodium bicarbonate air polishing (SBAP) or ultrasonic scaling was assessed.


METHODS
Initial periodontal therapy was performed in each of the 22 chronic periodontitis patients having residual 5 mm probing depth in each quadrant and were randomly assigned to one of the following interventions: GPAP (test), SBAP (positive control), ultrasonic scaling (positive control) or no treatment. Clinical parameters were assessed, and gingival biopsies were taken immediately after instrumentation and sent for histological quantification.


RESULTS
Significant improvement in plaque and gingival index scores were noted in glycine powder air-polishing and ultrasonic group. GPAP resulted in minor erosion of the gingival epithelium (score 1 & 2), whereas positive control specimens displayed moderate to severe erosions (score 3 & 4). Difference between GPAP and positive control was significant. (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
GPAP results in clinically significant improvement in plaque and gingival index scores and histologically causes less gingival erosion than SBAP or ultrasonic instrumentation, further supporting the safety of this debridement technique in periodontal maintenance therapy.
Department of Periodontics, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
C J
CJ
Simon
Department of Periodontics, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
P
P
Munivenkatappa Lakshmaiah Venkatesh
Department of Periodontics, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
R
R
Chickanna
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology; D005998:Glycine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057747:Periodontal Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D005998:Glycine
air-polishing; glycine powder; sodium bicarbonate; ultrasonic scaling