Safety and efficiency of novel sonic scaler tips in vitro

The aim of the study was to evaluate a novel sonic scaler tip for subgingival root surface instrumentation combining high efficiency in calculus removal with minimized risk of root damage through subgingival debridement.

A metal sonic scaler tip with a paddle-like working end covered with spheroid convexities of 0.8 mm diameter and 0.3 mm height was designed from the aspect of optimized adaptation to the root anatomy (tip-end dimension: 3.0 x 1.5 x 0.6 mm). Using a customary sonic scaler tip as control, instrument efficiency was quantified by measuring the time needed to completely remove calculus on extracted teeth (n=52) under standardized conditions. To quantify the amount of calculus removed, the mean calculus area per tooth was measured on photographs taken before instrumentation. The tips safety was evaluated instrumenting calculus-free root surfaces in vitro (n=18, lateral forces 0.5, 1, 2 N, 20 s instrumentation time, tip angulation 0 degrees ) with subsequent laser-optical determination of resulting root substance loss.

Debridement efficiency was significantly higher for the novel tip (0.78+/-0.81 mm2/s completely debrided) than for the conventional tip (0.42+/-0.33 mm2) (Mann-Whitney test, p<0.05). Concerning instrument safety, the novel tip caused significantly less root substance loss than the conventional tip.

The novel scaler tip appears to be significantly more efficient in calculus removal and less damaging to the root surface than the assessed conventional tip.