Table 2 Included studies characteristics (Secondary outcome measures)

Pilot study on the clinical and microbiological effect of subgingival glycine powder air polishing using a cannula-like jet [15]

- Kargas, K. 2015

Moderate pockets

Ultrasonic instrumentation (Piezonâ, Instrument A, EMS, Nyon, Switzerland), Hand instruments (Gracey curettes 3/4, 11/12, 13/14, Hu-Friedy, Chicago, IL, USA)

6 Months

(a) Must have been previously diagnosed with generalized chronic periodontitis (according to American Academy of Periodontology) and successfully treated; (b) Subsequently, entered the supportive treatment phase (SPT), with at least two non-bleeding residual pockets > 4 mm in each quadrant; (c) Have at least 20 natural teeth; (d) Non-smoker; (e) Could not taken an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs during the previous 6 months; (f) Pregnant or lactating women were also excluded from this study.

None

No smoker

- GR

- 52.50 ± 9.54

- 12/15

- Greece

Clinical evaluation of the speed and effectiveness of subgingival calculus removal on single-rooted teeth with diamond-coated ultrasonic tips [20]

- Yukna, R. A. 1997

5-6 mm, 7-8 mm

Hand curets, Plain ultrasonic

Extract the teeth after the treatment

Subjects had moderately deep probing depths (>5 mm in depth), had not received scaling and root planing for at least 6 months prior to the study, and exhibited clinically and/or radiographically evident subgingival calculus on the study teeth.

None

Unclear

- The mean percent of calculus remaining

- Unclear

- Unclear

- America

The effectiveness of the Titan-S sonic scaler versus curettes in the removal of subgingival calculus. A human surgical evaluation [21]

- Gellin, R. G. 1986

< 3 mm, 4-5 mm, 6-12 mm

Ultrasonic instrument (Titan-S), Hand instrument (Gracey curette and the McCall’s)

Extract the teeth after the treatment

Exhibit radiographie evidence of subgingival calculus or a clinically detectable ledge of subgingival calculus on at least one interproximal surface per quadrant, and have no systemic disease contraindicating periodontal therapy or the use of local anesthetics.

None

Unclear

- The percentage of surfaces with residual calculus

- Unclear

- Unclear

- America

Non-surgical periodontal treatment with a new ultrasonic device (Vector™-ultrasonic system) or hand instruments a prospective, controlled clinical study [18]

- Sculean, A. 2004

4-6 mm, > 6 mm

UD: Vector probe, (Durr Dental, Bietigheim-Bissingen,Germany) using straight and curved metal curettes and a polishing fluid (HA particles < 10um) according to the instructions given by the manufacturer, SRP:Hand instruments (Gracey Curettes, Hu-Friedy Co., Chicago, IL, USA).

6 Months

(a) No treatment of periodontitis for the last 2 years; (b) No use of antibiotics for the 12 months prior to treatment; (c) No systemic diseases; (d) Good level of oral hygiene. As criterion for a good level of oral hygiene a mean plaque index (PI) score < 1 was chosen.

None

Unclear

- GR, BOP

- 54

- 24/14(VUS:10/9; SRP:11/8)

-Germany

Periodontal healing after non-surgical therapy with a modified sonic scaler: A controlled clinical trial [17]

- Christgau, M. 2006

< 4 mm, 4-6 mm, > 6 mm

UD:the modified sonic scaler system SonicFlex 2003 L (KaVo), SRP:Gracey-curettes #1/2, #7/8, #11/12, #13/14, HuFriedy, Chicago, IL, USA.

6 Months, 1 Month (excluded)

All had generalized moderate to progressive chronic periodontitis, but were systemically healthy and had not received systemic antibiotics for at least 3 months before. Each patient had to show at least four teeth per quadrant with a PPD of at least 4 mm.

None

14/6

- BOP, GR

- 45.6 ± 8.0

- 14/6

- Germany

Influence of fluorescence-controlled Er:YAG laser radiation, the Vector™ system and hand instruments on periodontally diseased root surfaces in vivo [19]

- Schwarz, F. 2006

> 6 mm

UD:ultrasonic system (Vector™,Dürr,Bietigheim-Bissingen,Germany) and a polishing fluid (hydroxylapatite particles <10 μm) was used according to the instructions given by the manufacturer(70% power setting). SRP: Gracey curets (Hu-Friedy Co., Chicago,IL,USA)

Extract the teeth after the treatment

(a) Probing pocket depths (> 6 mm) on at least two aspects (mesio-buccal/mesio-lingual and disto-buccal/disto-lingual) as measured from the gingival margin to the bottom of the pocket; (b) No signs of carious or artificial damage on the root surface; (c) No periodontal root surface treatment within the last 12 months; (d) No root fractures or anatomical abnormalities.

Patients suffering from systemic diseases were excluded from the study.

Unclear

- The roughness of cementum surface

- 44.8

- 7/5

- Germany