comparative study on the effect of air scaler and hand instruments on the root surface using the scanning electron microscope

In vivo study was carried out to compare the effect of Gracey curette hand instrument and calcus sonic air scaler on root surface concerning roughness production and their efficiency in removing plaque and calculus using scanning electron microscope [SEM]. Twenty teeth with single roots have been used in this study. The teeth were apportioned into 2 groups, 9 teeth in each group with 2 planed site mesially and distally. The first group planed with Gracey curette each side with new cutting edge, the second group planed with calcus sonic air scaler with perio-tip mesially and distally. The other 2 teeth served as a control specimens, one single non-instrumented periodontally involved root, the other one was free of periodontal disease. When the teeth preparation were complete, they were prepared for the SEM. The specimens were examined at microscope power X500, 1000, 3000, 10000. The result revealed that there was no significant difference between the 2 instruments in removing plaque. Also the study showed no statistical difference between the 2 instruments in calculus removal. There was highly significant difference between the 2 instrument in roughness production on the root surface after root planning. The hand curette proved to be superior to the air scaler in producing a smoother surface