title: Effect of oral prophylactic instrumentation on the surface texture of all metal restorative materials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the inaccessible areas on the crown the removal of calculus and stains by hand and ultrasonic instrumentation is the method for cleaning to preserve and increase the longevity of the restoration. However, when oral prophylaxis is performed on restorative crowns, it may produce some surface alterations and may favour plaque accumulation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Many patients may have restored their teeth with artificial crowns and would come to the dental office for oral prophylaxis. If a routine oral prophylaxis is followed, its effect on the restorative materials and the plaque accumulation can be studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 15 disc shaped wax patterns were invested and casted for cast titanium (Group A) and the remaining 15 disk shaped for nickel-chromium (Group B). The obtained castings were finished and polished. All the specimens were subjected to hand and ultrasonic scaling for 15 s. Profilometer and scanning electron microscopic was used to analyze and evaluate the surface roughness. Specimens of each group were embedded on the anterior lingual aspects of the removable lower retention plates. 5 volunteers were asked to wear it in the mouth for 24 h for 7 days. After 7 days, the specimens were stained with plaque disclosing solutions and the photomicrographs were taken by the optical stereomicroscope and the plaque accumulations were assessed in percentage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The difference in average surface roughness (μm) of the polished test specimens was maximum for ultrasonic scaling than hand scaling and maximum for Group A than Group B. Plaque accumulation in percentage on the treated specimens was found to be nonsignificant but, mean plaque accumulation was maximum on ultrasonic scaling surface than hand scaling and maximum for Group A than Group B. Surface roughness was found to be statistically significant after hand scaling (F = 9.377, P = 0.000) and ultrasonic scaling (F = 5.373, P = 0.0000) by Student t-test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Surface roughness and plaque accumulation on the specimens were more for Group A than Group B and maximum produced by ultrasonic scaling than hand scaling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, KLE Society's Institute of Dental Sciences Bangalore, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Rajeswari
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Jaipur Dental College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: M V Sunil
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Kumar
keywords: Hand scaling; Nickel-chromium alloy; surface roughness; titanium alloy; ultrasonic scaling