title: Pain perception during debridement of hypersensitive teeth elicited by two ultrasonic scalers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The ultrasonic NO PAIN technology (Electro Medical Systems, Nyon, CH) promises minimal pain during debridement due to linear oscillating action combined with a sinusoidal power output and feedback control. The aim of the present study was to measure pain perception on a visual analogue scale (VAS) during supportive periodontal therapy including debridement of hypersensitive teeth. Two ultrasonic scalers were used, one with and one without NO PAIN technology.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized-controlled clinical study with split-mouth design, 100 hypersensitive teeth matched for air blast hypersensitivity were either treated with the ultrasonic device Piezon Master 700 or the Mini Piezon (both EMS, Nyon, CH). Pain perception during debridement was assessed by a VAS (range 0-10).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average VAS for the test device Piezon Master 700 with NO PAIN technology was 3.16 ± 2.10, and for the control device Mini Piezon without NO PAIN technology 3.40 ± 2.59 (p = 0.490). Placing an arbitrary threshold at the VAS score of 3 for significant pain experience, 60 % of the subjects experienced no significant pain with either instrument.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No statistically significant difference in perceived pain between the instruments used was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both ultrasonic devices showed very small pain intensities during debridement of highly hypersensitive teeth and can therefore be recommended for supportive periodontal therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Prosthetics and Restorative Dentistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Prosthetics and Restorative Dentistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Schöpfstr. 41, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goebel
authors.affiliation: Department of Restaurative Dentistry, Periodontology and Prosthodontics, Medical University of Graz, Billrothgasse 4, 8010, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wimmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Prosthetics and Restorative Dentistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. ines.kapferer@i-med.ac.at.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kapferer-Seebacher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003646:Debridement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D058748:Pain Perception; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: Debridement; Non-surgical periodontal therapy; Pain; Supportive periodontal therapy; Ultrasonic scaler; Visual analogue scale