Objective: Preparing the root surface by planing is an important procedure in the treatment and prevention of periodontal disease. The present study was designed to compare root surface characteristics following root planing with hand and power-driven instruments. Method and Materials: In the present study, 40 single-rooted teeth indicated for extraction were selected and divided into two groups according to whether hand or rotary instruments were used (group I or II, respectively). Teeth were randomly selected. Scaling was performed with ultrasonic instruments. A mucoperiosteal flap was raised to the level of the alveolar crest, and root planing was done with hand instruments for the teeth in group I and with a rotary bur for the teeth in group II. Subsequently, the instrumented teeth were extracted, and the resulting surfaces were evaluated under a scanning electron microscope. Results: In group I, deep scratches and striae were present. Considerable loss of tooth substance was observed, with a mean value of 1.57 ± 0.45. In group II, the root surface appeared flat and smooth, with fewer signs of gouging or scratching, with a mean value of 0.68 ± 0.49. The results were highly significant when both groups were compared (P = .001). Conclusion: In the present study, although both instruments used were found to be effective in removing deposits from the root surfaces, the results favored the use of rotary instruments over hand instruments for root planing to achieve a smooth, clean root surface. Palabras clave: instrumentation, periodontitis, root planing