AN IN-VITRO STUDY OF OSCILLATING INSTRUMENTS FOR ROOT PLANING

The objective of this in vitro study was; to test PER-IO-TOR instrumen ts on the Profin Directional System angle piece (Dentatus - Sweden), u sing extracted human teeth. In the Ist part of the study, 6 root surfa ces were treated with the instruments TOR 1, TOR 2, TOR 3 and TOR 4. F or comparison purposes, half the samples treated with each instrument were then subjected to further treatment with a Gracey curette. All sa mples were then examined by SEM. In the 2nd part of the study, 4 root surfaces were given standardized treatment with each PERIO-TOR instrum ent and the amount of substance removed was determined with a mechanic al profilometer. For this purpose, the treated root surface was scanne d with a microneedle and the profile depth recorded. The study showed that the PER-IO-TOR instruments were efficient with respect to surface planing and protective abrasion. Instrument TOR 3 (spatula with eyele t) in particular yielded simular results to those obtained with a cure tte. The overall results confirm that the PER-IO-TOR instruments have similar planing properties to manual instruments, causing minimum abra sion from the root surface. They thus represent an alternative to manu al instruments, not only in inaccessible areas but also on smooth toot h surfaces.