The effectiveness of two sonic and two ultrasonic scaler tips in furcations.

This study compared the effectiveness of two sonic and two ultrasonic scaler tips on artificial calculus removal from the furcations of mandibular first and second molars. Twenty-four extracted mandibular molars were cleaned and randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. Teeth were split buccal lingually, artificial calculus was placed in the furcation areas, and the teeth were photographed with a stereo camera. Teeth were reconnected with bonding material and mounted in a typodont with simulated gingiva and attached to a dental chair. Teeth were instrumented with either a Cavitron TFI10 tip, Cavitron EWPP tip, Titan-S Universal tip, or Titan-S Sickle tip by a licensed dental hygienist until each tooth was judged calculus free to the touch with a CH3 explorer. Time for each instrumentation period was recorded. Following instrumentation, the teeth were again split and photographed. Stereophotogrammetry was used to produce tracings of the teeth with initial calculus and remaining calculus. Pre-instrumentation and post-instrumentation amounts of calculus on the surface area were computed using the Bioquant system. A two factor analysis of variance was conducted followed with a Newman-Keuls Multiple Comparison Technique to test for within and between differences. Significant differences (P less than or equal to 0.01) were found between pre- and post-amounts of calculus for all tips. No significant differences (P less than or equal to 0.05) were found between the four instrument tips with respect to percentage of furcation surface with calculus remaining. No differences were found between tips with regard to the time required to clean the test surfaces.