Subgingival Plaque Removal at Interdental Sites Using a Low‐Abrasive Air Polishing Powder

• Published in: Journal of periodontology (1970) 2003-03, Vol.74 (3), p.307-311
• Main Authors: Petersilka, Gregor J., Tunkel, Jochen, Barakos, Katerina, Heinecke, Achim, Häberlein, Ingo, Flemmig, Thomas F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Air; Bacteria, Anaerobic - growth & development; Colony Count, Microbial; Dental materials; Dental Plaque - microbiology; Dental Plaque - therapy; dental plaque/prevention and control; dental prophylaxis; Dental Scaling - instrumentation; Dentistry; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Periodontal Pocket - prevention & control; Powders; Statistics, Nonparametric; Subgingival Curettage - instrumentation
• ISSN: 0022-3492; 1943-3670
• DOI: 10.1902/jop.2003.74.3.307

Background: The aim of the study was to test the efficacy of a novel low‐abrasive air polishing powder in subgingival plaque removal at interdental sites during periodontal maintenance therapy (PMT). Methods: Using a split mouth design, subgingival plaque was removed in 23 PMT patients using a low abrasive powder using a standard air polishing unit (test) or curets (positive control). Before and immediately after treatment, subgingival plaque samples were taken from interdental sites with 3 to 5 mm probing depth (PD) at 2 test teeth and 2 positive control teeth. To evaluate the influence of sampling on the microflora, plaque samples were also taken twice at 2 teeth without therapy with PD of 3 to 5 mm (negative control). PMT treatment and plaque sampling were repeated 3 times at quarterly intervals. Anaerobe cultivation was utilized to assess the mean reduction of total colony forming units (CFU) immediately after treatment. Results: Test treatment resulted in a significantly greater reduction in subgingival bacterial counts (log 1.9 ± 0.7) than positive control treatment (log 1.1 ± 0.6) and subgingival plaque sampling alone (log 0.5 ± 0.5; P