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The assessment of ultrasonic root surface debridement by determination of residual endotoxin levels
Author(s) -
Smart G. J.,
Wilson M.,
Davies E. H.,
Kieser J. B.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1990.tb01082.x
Subject(s) - debridement (dental) , residual , dentistry , medicine , ultrasonic sensor , mathematics , radiology , algorithm
Recent demonstrations of the superficial nature and ease of removal of root‐surface‐associated cytotoxic materials suggest that extensive root‐surface instrumentation is not warranted clinically. This in vitro investigation determined the detoxifying effects of a conservative regime of ultrasonic root debridement, using the Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an indication of the presence or absence of cytotoxic materials. 20 extracted periodontally‐involved single‐rooted teeth, with no clinically detectable calculus deposits, were debrided with a Cavitron TF‐10 tip. Light pressure, resulting from a force application of approximately 50 g, lasting for 0.8 s/mm 2 of root surface was used and complete overlapping instrumentation ensured. The finding of LPS levels of < 2.5 ng per root in 19 out of 20 teeth after such debridement was comparable to LPS levels found on healthy, uninvolved control teeth, and thus endorses the growing belief that root surface cleanliness can be readily achieved.