Influence of polishing procedures on sonic scaling root surface roughness.

The present in vitro study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various polishing procedures in reducing root roughness caused by sonic scaling. Proximal root surface areas of extracted, formalin-stored teeth were scaled in a bucco-lingual direction by a sonic scaler. The resulting roughness was measured along the direction of scaling and perpendicular to that direction by a profilometer. The specimens were then split into two groups. Group 1 was polished by an air-powder polishing instrument followed by a rotating rubber cup and chalk; Group 2 was polished by pumice followed by chalk. Root roughness (Ra) was recorded for each step in the procedures. The measurements revealed lower Ra values when the stylus of the profilometer was running perpendicular to the scaling direction, and a weak negative correlation was found when scaling time and Ra values were compared. In both groups Ra values were significantly reduced at each step of the polishing procedures and the terminal result was similar for the groups. Pumice and air-powder polishing gave a similar reduction of the sonic scaling roughness.