Removal of subgingival calculus is essential for the success in periodontal treatment. Subgingival instrumentation is used for the removal of all bacterial plaque and calculus. In this study, two types of anterior curet were used on ant. teeth to conduct subgingival scaling and root planing. The remaining amount of calculus was evaluated according to type of instrument, depth of pocket, and tooth surface.

24 teeth extracted from patients being treated at Dan Kook University dept. Perio. were used. 4 surfaces per tooth a total of 96 areas were evaluated. 12 teeth treated with Gracey No. 1-2 was used as the control group and 12 teeth treated with Mini-five curet No. 1-2 was the experimental group. The 4 surfaces of the teeth(buccal, mesial, lingual or palatal, distal) were observed under a stereomicroscope and the images were captured 3 times per surfaced with a CCD. The image were observed on the monitor using a 10 × 10 grid produced with the Microsoft power point. The amount of calculus remaining was evaluated 3 times per surface. The results were as follows.

There was no significant difference in remaining calculus according to the pre-treatment pocket depth, and tooth position(Mx. or Mn.).

The Mini-five curet showed better results than the Gracey curet but there was no statistically significant difference.

In both Gracey curet group and Mini-five curet group the lingual(or palatal) surface showed significant difference compared to the other surfaces(p < 0.05).

From the results above, it is thought that when treating ant. teeth consideration of the tooth surface is more important than the choice of instrument.