Root surface alterations following manual and mechanical scaling: A comparative study

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological and surface roughness changes in dental root samples following periodontal scaling by hand curette, piezoelectric ultrasonic devices or a combination of these. Methods Twenty‐four monoradicular teeth extracted as a result of periodontal disease were divided into 4 groups: Group A was treated by piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler Piezon ® Master 400; Group P by piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler PiezoSmart ® ; Group C using Gracey curette 7/8; Group AC by a combined technique of piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler Piezon ® Master 400 and Gracey curette 7/8. The treated samples were then analysed using a white light interferometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results Roughness analysis revealed major surface alterations in Group C (S a  = 24.98 μm); the samples treated using the combined technique (Group AC) showed reduced but still significant alteration (S a  = 14.48 μm), while samples treated with the piezoelectric ultrasonic devices (Group A and Group P) presented the lowest roughness values (S a  = 8.99 and S a  = 4.45 μm, respectively). A significant difference was found between groups C and P ( P  = 0.036). SEM analysis confirmed the roughness analysis revealing non‐homogeneous surfaces in Group C, while a less morphological alteration was noted in the other groups. Conclusion All periodontal devices used in this in vitro study produced a certain degree of surface alteration. Hand curettes appear to have a major impact on surface integrity compared with piezoelectric ultrasonic devices.