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Comparative Analysis Between a Modified Ultrasonic Tip and Hand Instruments on Clinical Parameters of Periodontal Disease
Author(s) -
Copulos Thomas A,
Low Samuel B.,
Walker Clay B.,
Trebilcock Yvonne Y.,
Hefti Arthur F.
Publication year - 1993
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.1993.64.8.694
Subject(s) - periodontal disease , gingival and periodontal pocket , elastase , medicine , dentistry , ultrasonic sensor , bleeding on probing , biomedical engineering , chemistry , radiology , biochemistry , enzyme
T he goal of this study was to determine whether an ultrasonic scaler with a modified tip is as effective as a curet in providing supportive periodontal treatment for patients, based on clinical parameters of periodontal disease. Nine patients with 10 sites exhibiting probing pocket depth ≥ 3 mm were treated at 0, 90, and 180 days in a single‐blind, split‐mouth design for supportive periodontal treatment with either Gracey curets (GC) or an ultrasonic scaler with a modified tip (MU). Clinical parameters included plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, darkfield microscopy, and clastase presence. Probing pocket depths and attachment levels were measured using an electronic probe. Measurements of clinical parameters were taken at 0, 14, 45, 90, 135, and 180 days. The results showed that treatment with MU was as effective as treatment with GC in all clinical parameters measured. Both treatment modalities were effective in reducing the elastase levels. Instrumentation time was significantly reduced with the MU (3.9 minutes vs. 5.9 minutes, P <0.05). The MU instrument effectively reduced the microbial environment in a significantly shorter time as compared to GC. J Periodontol 1993;64:694– 700 .