Comparison of the effects of four different power scalers on enamel tooth surface in the dog.

Abstract

The surface roughness of tooth enamel was quantitatively evaluated following scaling with four power scalers at three different tip forces. Ceramic and tooth samples were evaluated for surface roughness using surface profilometry. Applied tip forces were produced with a horizontal balanced arm holding the scaler handpiece and load weight, and were measured using a load cell. The power scalers evaluated were the ultrasonic piezoelectric, ultrasonic magnetostrictive (ferromagnetic stack), sonic, and rotosonic. For the tooth samples, at 50 grams of force, the piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, and sonic scaler roughnesses were similar and the rotosonic scaler outcome was statistically higher. Increasing the applied force significantly increased the roughness produced by the rotosonic and piezoelectric scalers. The results of this study indicate that the type of power scaler and applied tip force used determines the post-scaling surface roughness of ceramic and tooth enamel surfaces.