2001 Volume 43 Issue 3 Pages 273-282
Scalers are an important tool in periodontal therapy in efficient effective calculus removal and root planing. Despite the plethora of information on scaler use, on little exists on scaler management, so we surveyed factors that could affect management, focusing the efficacy of an electric honing machine (PerioStar®, Mikrona, Switzerland) compared to manual sharpening in the periodontal clinic. Four modified Colombia and seven Gracy scalers were studied ; all used a double-ended curette. Each scaler was used in periodontal treatment and resharpened with the electric honing machine. The cycle was repeated in the sequence of treatment, washing, sterilization, blade checking, resharpening, and sterilizing. All scalers were used up with in 91 days. In addition, three sets of the scalers were provided in a single blinded test to examine sharpness with a visual analog scale. Each scaler of a sethad no treatment or hand sharpening or electric honing. The test was couducted in root planing during flap operations. Results indicated the number of times untill wasting out on scalers improved to 59.4±15.4 times per scaler compared to out pevious study with hand sharpening. Time spent in resharpening was 56 ±26 second per scaler, and sharpening deformation were minimum. The blinded test indicated the superior sharpness provided by electric honing compared to manual sharpening and an unused one (p<0.05: ANOVA).
We concluded the electric honing machine was effective in periodontal therapy, providing minimum deformation, superior sharpness, and time saving in resharpening. J. Jpn. Soc. Periodontol., 43: 273-282, 2001.
