Method: Single center, examiner masked, randomized two-arm parallel design. 50 systemically healthy patients in periodontal maintenance with residual pockets were included. The participants were seen at baseline, month 3, 6, 9 and 12. Sites with PD>4 mm were treated at baseline and at months 3, 6 and 9, on one side with the air-polishing device (Air-Flow® Master Piezon) using a new Erythritol powder containing Chlorhexidine (test), and on the other side (control) with the ultrasonic instrument of the same device.
Result: From baseline to month 12, PD was significantly reduced in the test (5.2±0.4 to 4.4±1.2 mm, p<0.01) and control group (5.4±0.6 to 4.3±1.2 mm, p<0.01). In the test group, the percentage of persisting pockets with PD>4 mm and BOP+ decreased significantly from 58% to 16% (p<0.001), in the control group there was a decrease from 48% to 20% (p=0.01).
Using a visual analog scale, the patients perceived the test treatment to be significantly less painful/uncomfortable than the ultrasonic instruments (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Repeated subgingival cleaning of residual pockets with a new air-polishing device over a period of 12 month was well-tolerated and decreased the number of residual pockets with bleeding on probing.