Comparison of the effect of hand instruments, an ultrasonic scaler, and an erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser on root surface roughness of teeth with periodontitis: a profilometer study

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to measure root surface roughness in teeth with periodontitis by a profilometer following root planning with ultrasonic and hand instruments with and without erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation. METHODS: Sixty single-rooted maxillary and mandibular teeth, extracted because of periodontal disease, were collected. The crowns and apices of the roots were cut off using a diamond bur and water coolant. The specimens were mounted in an acrylic resin block such that a plain root surface was accessible. After primary evaluation and setting a baseline, the samples were divided into 4 groups. In group 1, the samples were root planned using a manual curette. The group 2 samples were prepared with an ultrasonic scaler. In group 3, after scaling with hand instrumentation, the roots were treated with a Smart 1240D plus Er:YAG laser and in group 4, the roots were prepared with ultrasonic scaler and subsequently treated with an Er:YAG laser. Root surface roughness was then measured by a profilometer (MahrSurf M300+RD18C system) under controlled laboratory conditions at a temperature of 25degrees C and 41% humidity. The data were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance and a t-test (P<0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences were detected in terms of surface roughness and surface distortion before and after treatment. The average reduction of the surface roughness after treatment in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 1.89, 1.88, 1.40, and 1.52, respectively. These findings revealed no significant differences among the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: An Er:YAG laser as an adjunct to traditional scaling and root planning reduces root surface roughness. However, the surface ultrastructure is more irregular than when using conventional methods.

Effect of hand, ultrasonic scaler and erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet [er: yag] laser on the morphology of root surfaces with periodontitis: a comparative in vitro scanning electron microscopy study

The main purpose of the present study was to describe the ultra structural changes which happened after treatment of the root surfaces with ultrasonic and hand devices followed by Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet [Er:YAG] laser irradiation. Sixty single-rooted maxillary and mandibular teeth which had been extracted due to periodontal problems were collected. Crown and apical parts of the root were cut off using a diamond bur. The specimens were mounted on an acrylic resin in order to make a plain surface of the root accessible. The samples were assigned as following: group1: samples were root planed using conventional hand curette, group2: were prepared by ultrasonic device, group3: roots after scaling by hand instrumentation were treated by Er:YAG laser with 50 mJ/pulse and frequency of 10 Hz, group4: roots were prepared by ultrasonic scaler and consequently were treated by laser. Furthermore, the teeth were dried, sputter-coated with gold, and monitored with scanning electron microscope [SEM]. Photomicrographs from ten samples of root surfaces which were taken at magnifications up to 500X revealed that there were not any severe morphologic changes, such as melting and charring, in any group. However, the samples treated by laser irradiation showed more irregularities and distortions. Er:YAG laser setting at 50mj/pulse, as an adjunctive to traditional scaling and root planning, did not induce severe damages to root surfaces, although root surface irregularities were more pronounced in laser treated groups compare to hand instruments.