Effects of air-powder abrasives on enamel and root surface: An in-vitro
micro-computed tomography study
Abstract
Intro: Removal of bacterial plaque and stains are a crucial
part of non-surgical periodontal treatment. Following scaling, polishing
by air-powdered devices is widely used. The aim of this study is to
evaluate the changes caused by three different air-powder abrasives from
the same company (sodium bicarbonate, glycine, and erythritol) on the
enamel and exposed root surface. Methods: The enamel and
exposed cementum surface were air polished at an instrumentation time of
5s, combinations of medium and maximum power, medium water settings, the
distance of 5mm, and angulation of 60 0. Samples were
scanned in a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) at baseline and then
after air-polishing powder applications, and the defect depth, defect
volume, demineralization depth, and tissue mineral density (TMD) values
were evaluated. Results: Sodium bicarbonate-based powder is
more abrasive than glycine and erythritol-based powders (
p<0.05). All powders caused more abrasion at the
maximum power setting ( p<0.05). There were
statistically significant differences between the mean TMD values before
and after the application in all groups ( p<0.05).
After the application, the average TMD was found to be lower.
Conclusion: We can conclude that glycine and erythritol-based
powders can be used for supragingival air polishing in patients with
gingival recession, in addition, we can recommend that the power setting
be set to the minimum level at which stain, and plaque can be
effectively removed.