Roughness Impact of Piezoelectric Dental Scaler on Two Distinct Flowable Composite Filling Materials

Summary

This methodology allows applying a dental appliance on any specimen at any angle with standardized force and stability. This approach might be extensively used in health sciences to standardize the impacts of dental equipment with hand-holding elements such as micromotors, turbines, and ultrasonic scalers on varied surfaces.

Abstract

Dental ultrasonic scalers are commonly employed in periodontal treatment; however, their ability to roughen tooth surfaces is a worry since roughness may increase plaque production, a key cause of periodontal disease. This research studied the influence of a piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler on the roughness of two distinct flowable composite filling materials. To do this, 10 disc-shaped samples were generated from each of the two flowable composite materials. After standardized polishing, samples were submerged in water for 24 h before the first surface examination using electron microscopy and profilometry. The ultrasonic scaler was applied to a specified location of each sample for 60 s under water cooling and regulated force. Post-scaler surface parameters were again examined. Following the application of the scaler, both composite materials exhibited a notable increase in surface roughness, as determined by profilometry (p < 0.01). Additionally, the observed surface roughness was also qualitatively visualized with scanning electron microscopy. While initial roughness levels were comparable across the two composites (p = 0.143) after scaler application, no substantial discrepancy in surface texture was noticed between them (p = 0.684). The use of a high-power piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler on routinely used flowable composite restorations might generate considerable surface roughness, possibly leading to increased plaque accumulation. Nevertheless, it might be postulated that nanohybrid flowable composite materials having conventional monomer ingredients may demonstrate comparable surface alterations within the limitations of this experiment.

Introduction

Maintaining oral health is a cornerstone of comprehensive dental care, and the role of hygiene in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases is well-established. One tool employed during the hygiene phase is the dental ultrasonic scaler, which is used to remove dental calculus and plaque¹. However, while the efficacy of the scaler in cleaning tooth surfaces is critical, its impact on restorative materials is a subject of ongoing research and interest within dental materials science. Surface roughness in particular has been shown to be a contributor to the accumulation and retention of plaque², highlighting the ....

Protocol

NOTE: This research employed two distinct kinds of flowable dental composite materials: nanohybrid Group P, and nanohybrid Group B manufactured using unique giomer technology. Casarin et al.'s study¹⁷ parameters (mean defect depth difference (Ra; µm): 15, standard deviation (µm): 10, alpha error: 0.05, beta error: 0.90) were utilized in a power analysis to estimate sample size.

1. Creation of composite specimens with similar initial surface roughness.......

Discussion

Research consistently shows that both sonic and ultrasonic scaling can increase the surface roughness of tooth-colored restorative materials, with ultrasonic scaling having a more detrimental effect^8,9. Ultrasonic scaling and air-powder polishing can further increase the roughness of composite resin and restoration margins, and the extent of damage is material-dependent⁶. The type of restorative material used can also impact the extent of .......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Beautifil Flow Plus	Shofu		United States
Evo MA10 Scanning Electron Microscope	Zeiss		Germany
EWO Typ 990 Paralellometer	Kavo		Germany
Finishing Discs	Bisco		United States
G4 Scaler Tip	Woodpecker		China
Premise Flowable	Kerr		United States
SC 7620 model sputter coater	Quorum Technologies		UK
Surftest SJ-210	Mitutoyo		Japan
UDS-A-LED Dental Scaler	Woodpecker		China
Valo LED Cordless Curing Light	Ultradent		United States
Zetaplus Silicon Impression Material	Zhermack		Italy