Tooth Surface Comparison after Air Polishing and Rubber Cup: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study

摘要

Objective: To demonstrate, using microscopic observations, the difference between two well-known oral prophylaxis techniques: polishing paste and air polishing. The observations were performed on human enamel.Methods: Enamel samples were obtained from plaque-rich human teeth extracted for orthodontic or clinical purposes. In order to allow a reliable comparison between different applications, each enamel sample was divided into two parts: one underwent air-polishing, whereas polishing paste was applied to the other.