The effects of various agents on root surfaces (a scanning electron microscopy study).

In periodontitis, root surface alterations have been observed in the cementum due to the presence of toxic substances mainly endotoxins of various microorganisms. Elimination of endotoxins from diseased root surfaces by root planing and demineralisation procedures seem to be essential for new attachment procedures. In this study the effects of citric acid and tetracycline HCl on periodontally involved root surfaces which had been scaled and root planed were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Our results showed that scaled, root planed and citric acid treated surfaces were relatively even with many dentinal tubules. The planed and tetracycline HCl treated root surfaces, however showed an irregular cemental surface with some debris, whilst the control surfaces found to be irregular with a considerable amount of debris.