Pressures Recorded during Periodontal Pocket Irrigation

Pressures arising during periodontal pocket irrigation with 5 ml and 20 ml disposable plastic syringes, a peristaltic pump and a Waterpik pulsating irrigator were measured with an in-line transducer and recorder in 11 patients. Three types of needles were used with each device; disposable 15-gauge straight and angled needles and a 15-gauge angled reusable needle. Measurements were made with the needle tips just within, and 3 mm into the pocket. With both the 5 ml and 20 ml syringes and all needles, pressures of 100- to 500-mm mercury were recorded. With the peristaltic pump, pressures of 70- to 340-mm mercury were recorded with all needles. The Waterpik apparatus produced pressures of not more than 60-mm mercury in all cases.