# Root surface roughness evaluation following application of different periodontal instruments and Er:YAG laser: A profilometry and SEM study

## TL;DR

This study compared how different dental tools affect root surface roughness, finding that a new ultrasonic tip produced smoother surfaces than a laser and traditional curette.

## Contribution

The study introduces a direct comparison of a new ultrasonic tip, Er:YAG laser, and conventional curette on root surface roughness using profilometry and SEM.

## Key findings

- All treatments increased root surface roughness compared to baseline.
- The laser group had the roughest surface, followed by the curette and ultrasonic tip.
- SEM showed more irregularities and crater defects in the laser-treated group.

## Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of 30°-angled Er:YAG laser tip and different periodontal instruments on root surface roughness and morphology in vitro.

Eighteen bovine teeth root without carious lesion were decoronated from the cementoenamel junction and seperated longitidunally. A total of 36 obtained blocks were mounted in resin blocks and polished with silicon carbide papers under water irrigation. These blocks were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups. In Group 1, 30°-angled Er:YAG laser (2.94 μm) tip was applied onto the blocks with a 20 Hz, 120 mJ energy output under water irrigation for 20 s. In Groups 2 and 3, the same treatment was applied to the blocks with new generation ultrasonic tip and conventional curette apico-coronally for 20 s with a sweeping motion. Surface roughness and morphology were evaluated before and after instrumentation with a profilometer and SEM, respectively.

After instrumentation, profilometric analysis revealed significantly higher roughness values compared to baseline in all treatment groups(p < 0.05). Laser group revealed the roughest surface morphology followed by conventional curette and new generation ultrasonic tip treatment groups (p < 0.05). In SEM analysis, irregular surfaces and crater defects were seen more frequently in the laser group.

Results of the study showed that the use of new generation ultrasonic tip was associated with smoother surface morphology compared to 30°-angled Er-YAG laser tip and conventional curette. Further in vitro and in vivo studies with an increased sample size are necessary to support the present study findings.