Attachment loss after scaling and root planing with different instruments: A clinical study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically the immediate effect of trauma from instrumentation after scaling and root planing with different instruments. Material and Methods: Ten subjects with moderate chronic periodontitis, presenting probing depths ranging from 3.5 to 6.5 mm on anterior teeth, upper and/or lower, were selected. Teeth were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: MC group - scaled and planed with Gracey mini-curettes (MiniFive™); CC group - scaled and planed with Gracey conventional curettes. The selected teeth were probed with a computerized electronic probe, guided by an occlusal stent, and then subjected to scaling and root planing. Immediately following instrumentation, teeth were probed again. The difference between relative attachment level (RAL) immediately before and after instrumentation was considered as trauma from instrumentation. Results: Intra-group analysis revealed statistically significant differences between RAL immediately before and after instrumentation in both groups (0.68 ± 0.32 for MC group; and 0.83 ± 0.41 for CC group - p < 0.05). However, inter-group analysis did not show a statistically significant difference in trauma from instrumentation caused by the different instruments. Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it was concluded that root instrumentation causes an average trauma from instrumentation of 0.76 mm with no differences between the tested instruments. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004.