Abstract Introduction: The primary aetiologies of periodontitis include bacterial plaque and calculus. Effective periodontal treatment necessitates the thorough removal of these deposits through scaling and root planing (SRP) using manual and ultrasonic instruments. However, the roughness introduced by these instruments can impact bacterial colonisation, plaque formation and calculus deposition. This study aims to evaluate and compare the morphological characteristics of root surfaces after SRP performed under the naked eye and magnification using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Materials and Methods: This in vitro study included single-rooted extracted teeth from patients with chronic generalised or localised periodontitis. The teeth were divided into two main groups: manual instrumentation with Gracey curettes and ultrasonic instrumentation. Each group was further subdivided based on the method of visualisation during SRP: naked eye, dental loupes (×2.5 magnification) and dental operating microscope (×12 magnification). The samples were evaluated for root surface roughness, remaining calculus and smear layer presence using indices such as the remaining calculus index (RCI) and roughness and loss of tooth substance index. Results: A total of 60 samples were analysed, with 30 samples in each main group, further divided into three subgroups of 10 each. The results indicated statistically non-significant differences in smear layer presence between groups. However, significant differences were observed in root surface roughness and remaining calculus between manual and ultrasonic instrumentation, particularly under higher magnifications. Ultrasonic instrumentation under magnification provided smoother root surfaces compared to manual instrumentation, although manual instrumentation showed lesser RCI in comparison to ultrasonic instrumentation. Conclusion: SRP performed under magnification, particularly with ultrasonic instruments, results in smoother root surfaces with less remaining calculus. The use of magnifying tools such as dental loupes and operating microscopes enhances the efficacy of periodontal treatment by providing better visualisation and illumination.
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