Dentin Loss and Surface Alteration Through Chemical and Chemomechanical Challenge after Initial Root Instrumentation.

Purpose: To assess the root surface roughness and substance loss induced by chemical and chemomechanical challenges on root surfaces pretreated with ultrasonic instrumentation, a hand scaler, or erythritol airflow.

Materials And Methods: One hundred twenty (120) bovine dentin specimens were used in this study. Specimens were divided into eight groups and treated as follows: groups 1 and 2: polished with 2000- and 4000-grit carborundum papers but not instrumented ('untreated'); groups 3 and 4: hand scaler; groups 5 and 6: ultrasonic instrumentation; groups 7 and 8: erythritol airflow.