Effect of dental instrumentation on periodontal bone tissue- digital assessment

Objectives: Assess the periodontal bone tissue after manual and ultrasonic instrumentation by digital radiography. Methods: Twenty-one individuals, with chronic periodontitis with probe depth (PD) equal to or greater than 5.00 mm and positive periodontal pocket bleeding index (PPI)were selected. One of the sites was debrided by manual technique and the other by ultrasound (US) technique. Standardized radiographs were taken at initial time ((0d), and after thirty (30d) and ninety days (90d) of therapy. Results: There was no significant difference (p=0.844 and 1.000) between the therapeutic techniques, when the clinical parameters (PD and PPI) respectively were analyzed. Regarding to the radiographic parameters: 1) CLM: when the sites debrided by the manual technique were assessed, there was a statistically significant difference (p=0.016 and 0.001) between their measurements before and after treatment with the lower values. In spite of the amelo-cement junction distance – bone defect (ACJ-DO) also have diminished, the results obtained after debridement done by US were not statistically significant (p=0.648 and 0.533) between the two analysis periods (30d-0d and 90d-0d); 2) For the DLM, at 90d, the US obtained the best results (p=0.035); 3) Both for treatment with curette and with US, the mean of GL, for the cutting points established, difference of 5 (p=0.632 and 0.581) and 10 (p=0.632 and 0.581), respectively, did not present statistical difference in the periods 30 and 90d; 4) For the DRS technique, there was no difference (p=0.568 and 0.928) between the two therapies to the same interval of time. Conclusions: It was concluded that the effect of manual and ultrasound instrumentation on the periodontal bone tissue was similar and that the methods used were comparable for checking bone alterations resulting from the treatments implemented. It is possible that longer observation times and a larger sample may intensify the results now found.