Is there a difference in pain perception between ultrasonic scalers?

The standard non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease is supra- and subgingival scaling to disrupt and thoroughly remove biofilm, calculus deposits, periodontal pathogens, and debris. Supra- and subgingival scaling can be performed with hand instruments or with power scalers. A less painful treatment might increase patient compliance and may give a better prognosis for periodontal therapy.



The purpose of the study is to document pain perception on a visual analogue scale (VAS) during supportive periodontal therapy with hand instruments and three different power scalers. In order to investigate which method is of most comfort for the patient.

Patients will prefer power scalers over hand instruments.

After each quadrant.

Using 3 power devices en manual cleaning. Each device will be used in one quadrant (randomly assigned). After each quadrant the patient will fill out a pain scale (VAS).



Research group:

There will be a group of 100 selected patients which reveive SOT (supportive periodontal therapy).



Clinical procedures:

Each patient will be treated with hand instruments and 3 power scalers during SOT. Each method will be used in 1 quadrant, this will be randomly assigned. Order of treatment of the teeth will be Q1 (quadrant), subsequently Q2, Q3, Q4.



Randomization:

The study is designed as a prospective single session, randomized cross-over clinical trial. 100 subjects will be treated with 4 different methods during SOT. Order of the methods will be randomly assigned.



Lost to follow-up:

With respect to possibility of drop out, the short study period does not have a serious risk of a considerable number of subject that may be lost to follow-up.