Clinical comparison of the stain removal efficacy of two air polishing powders

ABSTRACT

Objectives:Air polishing with sodium bicarbonate powders with a grain size of 40 μm is recommended for patient comfort. However, the efficacy of small grain size on stain removal has not been adequately studied. This study aimed to compare the stain removal efficacy of sodium bicarbonatepowders with grain sizes of 65 and 40 μm and to evaluate patient acceptance and operator opinion after using both air polishing powders. Materials and Methods: A double-blind, randomized, split-mouth study was conducted with 35 participants with moderate to heavy dental staining on both sides of the upper teeth. Removal of dental stains on the index teeth was performed using sodium bicarbonate powders with a grain size of either 65 or 40 μm. The time taken to completely remove all dental stains was recorded. After treatment, a questionnaire was used to evaluate patient acceptance and the operator's opinion.Results: The average time for the removal of all stains by powder was 4.5 ± 3.6 min with a grain size of 65 μm and 4.4 ± 3.8 min with a grain size of 40 μm. The difference in the average time between the two groups was not significant (P = 0.461). The operator's opinions of the two powders were identical, and patient acceptance did not differ significantly between the two types of powders.Conclusions: The 40 μm sodium bicarbonate powder removed dental stains as efficiently as the 65-μm powder. Powder handling and patient acceptance were comparable between grain sizes of 65 and 40 μm.

Key words:

Air polishing - dental stain - grain size - sodium bicarbonate - stain removal efficacy

• REFERENCES

• 1 Scheffel DL, Jeremias F, Fragelli CM, Dos Santos-Pinto LA, Hebling J, de Oliveira Jr OB. et al. Esthetic dental anomalies as motive for bullying in schoolchildren. Eur J Dent 2014; 8: 124-8
• 2 Karadas M, Seven N. The effect of different drinks on tooth color after home bleaching. Eur J Dent 2014; 8: 249-53
• 3 Weaks LM, Lescher NB, Barnes CM, Holroyd SV. Clinical evaluation of the prophy-jet as an instrument for routine removal of tooth stain and plaque. J Periodontol 1984; 55: 486-8
• 4 Berkstein S, Reiff RL, McKinney JF, Killoy WJ. Supragingival root surface removal during maintenance procedures utilizing and air-power abrasive system or hand scaling. An in vitro study. J Periodontol 1987; 59: 327-30
• 5 Lobene RR. Effect of dentifrices on tooth stains with controlled brushing. J Am Dent Assoc 1968; 77: 849-55
• 6 Watts A, Addy M. Tooth discolouration and staining: A review of the literature. Br Dent J 2001; 190: 309-16
• 7 Bazzi JZ, Bindo MJ, Rached RN, Mazur RF, Vieira S, de Souza EM. et al. The effect of at-home bleaching and toothbrushing on removal of coffee and cigarette smoke stains and color stability of enamel. J Am Dent Assoc 2012; 143: e1-7
• 8 Bühler J, Amato M, Weiger R, Walter C. A systematic review on the patient perception of periodontal treatment using air polishing devices. Int J Dent Hyg 2016; 14: 4-14
• 9 Finlayson RS, Stevens FD. Subcutaneous facial emphysema secondary to use of the Cavi-Jet. J Periodontol 1988; 59: 315-7
• 10 Josephson GD, Wambach BA, Noordzji JP. Subcutaneous cervicofacial and mediastinal emphysema after dental instrumentation. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001; 124: 170-1
• 11 Liebenberg WH, Crawford BJ. Subcutaneous, orbital, and mediastinal emphysema secondary to the use of an air-abrasive device. Quintessence Int 1997; 28: 31-8
• 12 Kontturi-Marhi V, Markkanen S, Markkanen H. The gingival effects on dental air polishing as evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. J Periodontol 1989; 60: 19-22
• 13 Mishkin DJ, Engler WO, Javed T, Darby TD, Cobb RL, Coffman MA. et al. Aclinical comparison of the effect on the gingiva of the Prophy-Jet and the rubber cup and paste techniques. J Periodontol 1986; 57: 151-4