[Subgingival air-polishing: new perspectives for periodontal maintenance?]

After completion of comprehensive periodontal therapy, the main objective is to maintain gingival tissues in a clinically healthy state. Traditional methods like curettes and ultrasonic devices used during maintenance are responsible of irreversible hard tissue damages ensuing from repeated mechanical scraping of tooth surfaces. A new approach to clean root surfaces without inducing these damages may be the air-polishing technology. Original air-polishing systems are highly abrasive to root cementum and dentin and cannot be used safely in the subgingival area (risk of inducing hard and soft tissue lesions and emphysema). New low abrasive powders and nozzles were designed in order to allow access to root surfaces and to permit the use of the air-polishing devices safely. Recent clinical studies have shown the short-term clinical efficacy of such devices in residual pockets and their safety when used on root surfaces. The new subgingival air-polishing devices are perceived more acceptable by the patients and are more time efficient than scaling and root planning during maintenance. Long-term studies are still lacking to prove their clinical and microbiological efficacy.