effect of tetracycline hydrochloride on the smear layer formed by various root planing modalities: a scanning electron microscopy study

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to examine the smear layer formation following different root planing modalities and its removal using tetracycline hydrochloride. Thirty-two periodontitis involved human teeth were randomly divided into 8 groups of 4 each. Groups 1 and 2 were root planed with hand Instrument [Gracey 11/12] while In groups 3 and 4, a flat diamond bur was used. In groups 5 and 6, the roots were scaled with a piezoelectric unit [Piezon] while In groups 7 and 8, a magnetostrictive unit [Amdent] was used. sixteen teeth [two In each group] were condItIoned with tetracycline hydrochloride for 3 minutes while the other sixteen teeth were not conditioned and served as controls. The surfaces were examined by a scanning electron microscope. The results showed that root planing resulted in a smear covering the root surfaces, irrespective of the treatment modality. Tetracycline hydrochloride efficiently removed the smear layer with collagen fibers exposed to varying degrees