ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The present study investigates the effect of air polishing using different combinations of devices and abrasive powders on bovine secondary and primary dentition and on human deciduous teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lower incisors of freshly slaughtered calves and cows were partially embedded in polyurethane and polished flat. Human deciduous incisors and second molars were subjected to the same procedure. These various tooth types (bovine secondary, bovine primary, human deciduous) were then randomly assigned to 22 groups containing 10 teeth each. The specimens in each group were treated by a specific combination of an air-polishing device (n=2; PROPHYflex 3®, Air-Flow® Handy 2+) and an abrasive (n=3; Air-Flow® Pulver Classic, ClinPro™ Prophy Powder, PROPHYpearls®) applied from a distance of 5±0.5 mm at maximum setting for 60 s. Additional groups of specimens were polished with CCS® 40 or Cleanic® pastes applied with a rotating brush at low speed. A Perthometer PCV profilometer was used to analyze the degrees of surface roughness and enamel reduction in each group. RESULTS: PROPHYpearls® created significantly (p<0.05; t-test) more surface roughness and enamel reduction than both Air-Flow® and ClinPro™. There was no significant difference between the latter two abrasives. Any surface changes created by blasting or polishing were significantly (p<0.05; t-test) smaller on the bovine secondary teeth than on bovine primary or human deciduous teeth, with no significant difference between the latter two. The degrees of surface roughness induced by air polishing surpassed the effect of CCS® 40 paste but resembled the effect of Cleanic® paste. CONCLUSION: Both Air-Flow® Handy 2+ and PROPHYflex 3® are appropriate devices to remove plaque and discoloration from the surface of deciduous teeth. PROPHYpearls® powder is excessively aggressive.