Fu J-H, Wong L B, Tong H-J, Sim Y-F. Conventional versus comprehensive dental prophylaxis: comparing the clinical outcomes between rubber cup and air polishing and the importance of plaque disclosure. Quintessence Int 2021; DOI: 10.3290/j.qi.a45602.

Air polishing exhibited better treatment efficiency.

This single-blind randomised controlled split-mouth study compared the clinical outcomes in dental prophylaxis between rubber cup polishing and an air polishing system using erythritol powder, with or without prior dental plaque disclosure. Healthy participants with full-mouth plaque score ≥ 60% were recruited. Quadrants in each participant were randomly assigned to four groups: air polishing with prior plaque disclosure; air polishing without plaque disclosure; rubber cup polishing with prior plaque disclosure; or rubber cup polishing without plaque disclosure. Plaque scores, treatment time and post-treatment satisfaction were recorded. In total, 88 participants were recruited. Air polishing with prior plaque disclosure had significantly lower post-treatment marginal mean plaque score compared to air polishing or rubber cup polishing without prior plaque disclosure. Mean treatment time for air polishing was significantly shorter compared to rubber cup polishing. Both the participants and operators preferred air polishing over rubber cup polishing.