Traditional methods for plaque and calculus removal involve the use of mechanical and/or manual instruments, followed by surface polishing with rubber cups and low abrasive pastes. These instruments may cause the unintended removal of hard dental tissue, such as enamel, cementum and dentine, increasing surface roughness. Moreover, they can lead to gingival recession and consequent hypersensitivity and discomfort during treatment. New minimally-invasive approaches to biofilm removal have been recently introduced with the aim to limit the negative impact on the oral tissue. Air-polishing with low-abrasiveness powders are proven suitable for both for supra- and sub-gingival plaque removal. The use of low-abrasiveness powders could lead to several advantages, such as reduction of treatment discomfort, shorter treatment time, the possibility of cleaning areas with difficult access and minor damage on soft and hard tissues.

Aim: the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Full Mouth Erithrytol Powder Air-Polishing Therapy compared to traditional ultrasonic debridment (UD) and polishing in patient affected by gingivitis.

Test hypotesis: there is no difference in clinical outcome between two methods against the hypothesis of a difference in terms of changes in Blending on Probing (BOP).

To test this hypothesis, the patients, upon initial evaluation, were treated in split mouth:

• The control group undergoing the standard procedure with full-mouth ultrasonic debridement and polishing with rubber cup and abrasive paste.
• The study group undergoing an innovative procedure involving full-mouth air-polishing followed by ultrasonic calculus removal.

Follow-ups are scheduled at 2 weeks and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.

TRIAL DESIGN:

Mono-centric, pragmatic, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial (RCT) with split-mouth design. The trial will have a one year of duration.

PRIMARY OUTCOME:

- Change in BoP: change in percentage of sites positive to bleeding on probing.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES:

• Change in Plaque Index (PI): change in percentage of sites with presence of plaque. Baseline values will be compared to the values recorded at follow-up visits.
• Change in Residual Plaque Area (RPA): Post-treatment percentage of tooth area with residual plaque, visualised via plaque disclosing agent. This will be calculated with computer software analysis (ImageJ) on clinical photographs.
• Change in Periodontal Attachment Level (PAL): change in mean value for each patient will be calculated. Baseline values will be compared to the values recorded at follow-up visits.
• Change in (Pocket Probing Depth) PPD: change in mean value for each patient will be calculated. Baseline values will be compared to the values recorded at follow-up visits.
• Duration of the treatment: calculated in minutes. Time will be recorded starting from the opening the randomisation envelope until the clinician is satisfied with the clinical result.
• Comfort of the patient: an anonymous questionnaire will be administered at baseline and each recall appointment.
• Sensation of cleanliness: an anonymous questionnaire will be administered at baseline and each recall appointment.

STUDY POPULATION:

41 Systemically healthy patients affected by gingivitis will be included in this study. Presence of gingivitis is defined as: absence of Probing pocket depth (PPD) > 4mm and presence of BoP >25%.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

• Patients affected by gingivitis (BoP >25%);
• Patients with at least 5 teeth per quadrant;
• Systemically healthy;
• Age > 18 years;
• Smoking less than 10 cigarettes a day.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of gingivitis (BoP > 25%);
• Presence of at least 5 teeth per quadrant;
• Systemically healthy;
• Age between 20 and 40 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of periodontal disease, defined as >3 mm of clinical attachment loss at any site;
• Presence of fixed retainers, orthodontic appliances or complex prothetic restorations;
• Presence of crowding;
• Pregnant or lactating;
• Allergy to chlorhexidine or erythritol;
• Smoking >10 cigarettes per day;
• Unwillingness to undergo the proposed treatment and recalls;

Clinical examination, collection of periodontal parameters and clinical photographs were performed by the same trained dentist blinded to the treatment.