Which type of scaling system is best?

Abstract

DATA SOURCES: Medline and the Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant studies. STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials and controlled clinical trials conducted in vitro or in vivo on human teeth, which used plaque, bleeding, gingivitis or pocket depth, clinical attachment level, microbiological findings, patient perception and treatment time as outcome measures, were included. Case reports, letters and narrative or historical reviews were excluded and only English-language papers were considered. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: The studies included differed in design and outcome so a qualitative summary was presented. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met the in..