Abstract
We have previously reported that the deeper cementum in human periodontally involved teeth enhanced the formation of a new connective tissue attachment. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the air-powder abrasive system as an adjunct to curet the superficial cementum completely. Two patients, 38-and 66-year old males were selected ; their right maxillary second incisor, the pocket depth was more than 7 mm, was used. The labial root surface was sprayed with air-powder abrasive system for 10 seconds after 20 instrument strokes with a curet scaler. The interface of the root surface and regenerating connective tissue was observed 2 and 3 weeks after surgery by light and electron microscopy. In addition, histological measurement of the new connective tissue attachment was performed. At 2 week time point, the deeper cementum remained from 70 to 120μm in width on the root. The average measurement of length of the connective tissue attacment was 1.66 mm. At 3 week time point, the deeper cementum remained from 90 to 180μm in width. The average measurement of the length of the connective tissue attachment was 1.60 mm. Fibroblasts with well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and numerous ribosomes synthesized new fibrillar materials and collagen fibrils on the curetted cementum. The results suggested that the air-powder abrasive system after instrumentation with a curet scaler would be effective for the complete removal of bacteria in resorption lacunae and the remained superficial cementum.
