ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of the current study is to analyze the surface profiles of healthy and periodontal-treated
roots. In addition, manual and ultrasonic instrumentation methods have been compared
in terms of surface mechanical properties of root surfaces including surface roughness,
hardness, and elastic modulus. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using extracted teeth that were randomly divided into two
study groups (1 and 2). Root planing was performed using either Gracey curettes (Group
1) or ultrasonic scaler (Group 2). The noncontact profilometer was used to analyze
surface roughness before and after root planing. A nanoindenter was used to analyze
the surface mechanical properties. Results: The root planing treatment reduced the peak and valley heights hence decreasing the
surface roughness. The average maximum height of peaks (Sp) and average maximum height
of valleys (Sv) for control groups remain 83.08 ± 18.47 μm and 117.58 ± 18.02 μm.
The Sp was reduced to 32.86 ± 7.99 μm and 62.11 ± 16.07 μm for Groups 1 and 2, respectively.
The Sv was reduced to 49.32 ± 29.51 μm for Group 1 and 80.87 ± 17.99 μm Group 2. The
nanohardness and modulus of elasticity for cementum of the control group remain 0.28
± 0.13 GPa and 5.09 ± 2.67 GPa, respectively. Conclusions: Gracey curettes and ultrasonic scalers are capable of significantly reducing the
roughness following root planing. Although Gracey curettes produced smoother surfaces
than ultrasonic scalers, there was no significant difference.
Key words:
Biomaterials - cementum - hardness - roughness
