Effect of ultrasonic scaling of teeth involved with periodontal disease in dogs: a scanning electron microscopic study

Abstract

Scaling using ultrasonic dental equipment was performed on 20 teeth extracted from dogs with advanced periodontal disease, under clinical indication. The surgical extraction of the teeth, which already showed mobility, carried out by means of a lever, tried not to touch the radicular surface which would be assessed. The mesial surface of the cervical root region was used for verifying the effect of the ultrasonic scaling and the distal surface was maintained intact for control. After treatment, the teeth were sectioned, separating the region of interest, and these were fixed in glutaraldehyde, dried with a critical point dryer and metallized for observation under electronic scanning microscopy. The presence of plaque, biofilm and rod cells on the non-treated surface was quite characterized. On the surface submitted to treatment by ultrasound, it was possible to see areas with the removal of all the dental calculus, and areas with exposed naked dentine and showing open dentinal tubules. It was possible to observe also the occasional presence of bio-film and rod cells penetrating the dentinal tubules. No harm to the dentine was observed. Thus, ultrasonic scaling showed to be useful in the purpose of removing plaque and can be better developed. Future studies are necessary to establish a comparison with other methods of scaling.

Effect of age on dental plaque deposition and its control by ultrasonic scaling, dental hygiene chew, and chlorhexidine (0.2%w/v) in dogs

“…The supremacy of Graph-1: Age-wise plaque deposition score of the animals (X-axis: Age of the animal, Y-axis: Plaque deposition score). b a Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.12/November-2019/26.pdf mechanical methods like scaling for effective removal of plaque is also commensurate with the findings of previous researchers [1,5,11,[18][19][20].…”

“…It is the foremost important organ consisting of varied degrees of anatomical structures. Periodontium is one of the major structures comprised of tooth and its supporting structures such as gingiva alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum [1]. Periodontitis is the most prevalent and unapparent inflammatory dental disease caused by bacterial plaque on the periodontium [2].…”

“…Veterinary dentistry emphasized on importance of plaque and calculus removal from the tooth crown, gingival sulcus, and root surfaces. The removal can be done by mechanical (Brushing, scaling, ultrasonic scaling, and dental chew) and chemical (chlorhexidine gluconate, and special diet) means for the prevention and control of periodontal disease [1,4,5,9,10]. The use of dental chews of varied shapes and sizes with or without an anti-calculus agent has been demonstrated as one of the easiest methods for removal of supragingival plaque accumulation [5,8,[10][11][12].…”

A Retrospective Study on Periodontal Diseases in Companion Animals

“…Early-stage periodontal disease is not associated with severe pain or discomfort. Plaque removal can be accomplished by mechanical (brushing, scaling, ultrasonic scaling, and dental chew) and chemical methods (chlorhexidine gluconate, and specific diet) [7][8][9][10]. As an animal gets older, periodontal disease becomes more common and severe, and early detection and treatment can often prevent more serious problems later in life [11].…”