Premium
Scanning Electron Microscope Evaluation of Wear of Dental Curettes during Standardized Root Planing
Author(s) -
Tal Haim,
Panno Joan M.,
Vaidyanathan T. K.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1985.56.9.532
Subject(s) - bevel , curette , magnification , dentistry , mathematics , orthodontics , enhanced data rates for gsm evolution , scanning electron microscope , materials science , composite material , medicine , computer science , engineering , surgery , artificial intelligence , structural engineering
Root planing relies upon the quality of instrument cutting edges. This study evaluated the sharpness and wear of some dental curettes available in the market following standardized root planing procedures. Nine working edges of nine Gracey No. 1/2 DE curettes, three each from three different manufacturers, were used as controls. These unused factory‐sharpened edges were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Eighteen edges of nine curettes of the same brands were likewise examined after root planing procedures. Root planing was carried out on extracted one‐rooted teeth mounted in natural positions in manikin jaws. Working areas measuring 3 × 5 mm were marked on root surfaces previously exposed by periodontitis. Root planing procedures included (1) 15 vertical strokes done by either Side 1 or Side 2 of each instrument in relation to a single working area of a tooth, and (2) the same procedure repeated 3 times using the opposite side of the curette. All working edges were examined at points 1 and 2 mm from the tip under 500 times magnification. Edge deformation increased significantly from the control group to the “15stroke” group and from the “15‐stroke” group to the “45‐stroke” group. Factory‐sharpened curettes (control) were sharp, with functional wire edges present on 55% of the specimens. After 15 strokes, nonfunctional wire edges and narrow edge deformations with bevels measuring less than 15 μ were present. After 45 strokes eight cutting edges (88.9%) showed bevels wider than 15 μ . The difference between the three brands was not significant in any group (i.e., controls, 15 strokes, 45 strokes). Further study is indicated to evaluate the relationships between bevel dimensions and root planing effectiveness.