title: Removal of simulated biofilm: an evaluation of the effect on root surfaces roughness after scaling.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the development of less invasive devices, a debate exists about the benefits and risks of hand versus powered root surface instrumentation used in supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). The aim of the in vitro study was to differentially compare plaque removal efficacy and root surface roughening of newly developed sonic, ultrasonic scaler, and curettes in the hands of experienced versus less experienced operators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sonic (AIR), ultrasonic devices (TIG), and double-gracey curettes (GRA) were utilized by seven experienced (EO) and four less experienced operators (LO) for root surface instrumentation of standardized plastic teeth on manikins' heads in a randomized sequence. The proportion of residual simulated plaque (RSP area in %) was planimetrically assessed, and the average root surface roughness produced (Ra and ∆Ra in μm) was measured by a precision profilometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The uninstrumented root surfaces showed a Ra of (median (Q25/Q75)) 1.00 μm (0.83/1.16). Following instrumentation, EO left significantly less RSP than LO regardless of the used instruments (20.00 % (10.00/34.00) vs. 26.00 % (12.00/44.00) p < 0.001), whereas the ∆Ra values (0.29 μm (-0.04/0.96) vs. 0.35 μm (-0.04/1.01), p = 0.237) failed to show significant differences. The surface roughness was higher with GRA followed by AIR then TIG regardless of operators' experience (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limits of the present study, the sonic device was most efficient in plaque removal, while the ultrasonic device produced the least surface roughness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All three tested instruments seem effective in the mechanical root debridement during SPT, whereat the ultrasonic device show the smoothest root surface of all.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany. graetz@konspar.uni-kiel.de.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graetz
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plaumann
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wittich
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Maren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kahl
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Christof E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Dörfer
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.|Oral Medicine and Periodontology Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Karim Fawzy
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: El-Sayed
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy*; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008348:Manikins; D013499:Surface Properties; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000382:microbiology*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: In vitro model; Nonsurgical periodontal therapy; Scaling and root planning; Subgingival plaque