The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of periodontal curet and various rotating instruments on the root surfaces.

Thirty-five extracted teeth with advanced periodontal disease were used. They was root planed with periodontal curet, periodontal Perio-Clean bur, periodontal Roto-Perio bur, resin polishing ET bur, and resin polishing diamond fissure bur. To find dentinal tubule orifices on the root surface, tetracycline HC1 solution was applied to the one tooth of treated each group. Then, root surfaces were investigated using scanning electron microscope. Amount of loss of cementum was evaluated by loss of tooth substance index.

The results were as follows.

1. Groups treated with periodontal curet and Perio-Clean bur showed irregular surface and concavities. Concavities seemed to be lacunae of cementocyte. Other groups treated with Roto-Perio bur, resin polishing ET bur, and resin polishing diamond fissure bur showed partially opened dentinal tubule orifice.

2. Groups treated with periodontal curet and Perio-Clean bur and tetracycline HC1 showed irregular surface. No dentinal tubule orifice was seen. Other groups treated with Roto-Perio bur, resin polishing ET bur, and resin polishing diamond fissure bur and tetracycline HCI showed dentinal tubule orifice with various shape and size.

3. Loss of tooth substance indices were compared between groups. There was no statistically difference between periodontal curet and Perio-Clean bur groups. There were statistically differences between periodontal curet and Roto-Perio bur, ET bur, and diamond fissure bur groups.

As a result of this study, groups treated with Roto-Perio bur, resin polishing ET bur, and resin polishmg diamond fissure bur showed more cementum removed than groups treated with periodontal curet and Perio-Clean bur. Therefore, in a conventional treatment for periodontal disease, it was recommended that periodontal curet or Perio-Clean bur should he used. In a treatment for regeneration of periodontal tissue, it was recommended that Roto-Perio bur, resin polishing ET bur, or resin polishing diamond fissure bur should be used