Int J Dent Hyg. 2021 Jul 4. doi: 10.1111/idh.12533. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of biofilm removal of a treatment protocol combining an air-abrasive device using erythritol powder (AIRFLOW®) and an ultrasonic piezon instrumentation (Guided Biofilm Therapy/GBT) compared to the conventional mechanical approach (Scaling and Root Planing/SRP) during supportive periodontal treatment (SPT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients, scheduled for supportive periodontal treatment at the Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki were randomly assigned to either a GBT (group A: 24 participants) or a SRP (Group B: 26 participants) treatment protocol. Therapeutic interventions and clinical measurements were performed at baseline and repeated at 6 weeks. Oral hygiene instructions were reinforced at each visit. A questionnaire was handed to the participants for evaluation of patient perception of both utilized approaches.
RESULTS: At 6 weeks, the two groups showed statistically significant reduction in plaque score and in gingival bleeding index compared to baseline. GBT required approximately 15% less chair-time than SRP with a mean difference of 5.1 minutes, which was statically significant (p=0.049). Patient perception was more favorable for GBT than SRP.
CONCLUSIONS: Biofilm removal using erythritol AIRFLOW® and ultrasonic piezo-electric instruments (GBT) can be considered equally efficient compared to the conventional SRP. Moreover, GBT seemed to require shorter treatment time and to exhibit a more favorable patient perception than the conventional approach.
PMID:34218516 | DOI:10.1111/idh.12533
