Diamond-coated sonic tips are more efficient for open debridement of molarfurcations - A comparative manikin study

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of open debridement of class II and III furcations by a new diamond-coated sonic in strument tip (Sonicparo) with a conventional sonic insert (Sonicrecall) and hand instruments (Gracey curettes). Method: Open debridement was simulated using a manikin head and standardise d plastic teeth. The efficacy of debridement was examined by 3 parameters: residual root surface marker,'tooth' weight loss and time taken for debride ment. The teeth used were 1st and 2nd upper and lower molars. Upper left an d lower right molars were chosen to represent class II furcation involvemen ts and upper right and lower left molars class III furcation involvements. Each tooth was debrided 4 times with each instrument for both class of furc ations. Results: The results of this study showed significantly less residual marke r area comparing Sonicparo with Gracey curettes (mean difference 2.52 mm(2) , p<0.001). However, no significant differences in marker removal were obse rved between Sonicrecall inserts and the other instruments. Sonicparo inser ts also took significantly less time to debride the furcation than Gracey c urettes (mean difference 98.3 s, p<0.001) or Sonicrecall instruments (mean difference 74.3 s, p<0.001), However no significant differences were found between instruments concerning weight loss of the plastic teeth. Conclusions: It was concluded from this in-vitro study that the Sonicparo i nsert was a more efficient instrument for open molar furcation debridement than Sonicrecall and hand instruments (Gracey curettes) when considering bo th marker removal and debridement time.