Effect of an air-powder abrasive system on root surfaces in periodontal surgery

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of an air-powder abrasive technique to conventional root planing during periodontal surgery. 7 patients scheduled for multiple extractions of periodontally-involved teeth were selected. Full thickness mucoperiosteal flaps were reflected, and proximal surfaces of 32 teeth were either ultrasonically scaled and exposed to the air-powder abrasive, or ultrasonically scaled and then manually root planed. Following extraction, teeth were stained for residual plaque and photographed, or prepared for scanning electron microscopy. The air-powder abrasive technique used for surgical root preparation was found to produce a root surface favorably comparable to manual root planing with regard to removal of plaque, calculus, and exposed cementum. A mean of 80 micron of cementum was abraded away after 40 s of exposure to the air-powder spray. The air-powder abrasive spray demonstrated an advantageous ability to remove plaque and cementum from areas of difficult access, such as furcations and root flutings.