Removing Burnished Calculus

By Kathleen O. Hodges, RDH, MS

Removal of burnished calculus is challenging yet extremely important to create root surfaces that are biologically compatible with the periodontium and to reduce inflammation. Endoscopy has shown that calculus is strongly associated with inflammation in the pocket wall.^1,2 Subsequently, the incomplete removal of calculus leaves a niche for irritants to promote inflammation, contributing to reinfection and disease recurrence.³ Burnished calculus is the smoothing of deposits by instrumentation, creating a hard and dense structure. Burnishing is inadvertent and results from inadequate instrumentation due to technique and time.

* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
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