Objectives: To investigate in vivo and in vitro the effects of experimental fiber-reinforced instruments on stain removal from proximal and facial enamel, which could not be removed with regular oral hygiene measures of the patients. Methods: Experimental friction grip instruments (SRB) were produced by Carbotech/France as spin-off from the development of fiber reinforced composites in the medical and dental field. The instruments were fabricated in six different shapes and sizes from epoxy resin rods, longitudinally loaded with 60 vol % of Zr-glass fibers. Eight patients were selected with proximal and facial staining of upper or lower front teeth. In each case one side of the front was treated with SRB instruments at 10.000 rpm under water cooling, the other side with air abrasion (ABR), prophy paste in a rubber cup (PRO), pumice on a plastic EVA-instrument (EVA), or ultrasonic scaling (USS). Photographs were taken before and after stain removal. From 4 patients impressions were made pre and post-operatively to produce epoxy models for comparative SEM evaluation of surface changes resulting from the respective treatments. The working surfaces of SRB instruments were inspected by SEM. Results: Surface stains were reliably removed with SRB and the alternative treatments tested. SRB, PRO, and EVA had left very superficial scratches only, whereas ABR and USS were clearly more aggressive to enamel. The working surfaces of SRB instruments showed short glass fiber ends exposed both before and after service. After use bur surface areas were identified, covered with grinding debris, including fiber fragments up to a maximum length of 30 mm. Conclusions: Enamel surface stain removal with SRB is effective and very little invasive. The choice between a variety of bur shapes gives consistently good access, even to narrow interproximal spaces, which are often severely stained particularly with crowded front teeth.

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