The purpose of this was to evaluate the in vitro effects of different application modes of tetracycline HCI on dentin root surfaces. The study group was comprised of 30 teeth with advanced periodontal disease extracted before the start of periodontal therapy. The diseased root surface was vigorously root planed to expose dentin. The teeth were sectioned and cotton pellets. soaked in a saturated solution of tetracycline HCI, were either "placed" or "burnished" on the prepared root surface for 3, 5 min. respectively. Control surfaces were similarly treated with root planing only. Following the various treatments, teeth were fixed. dehydrated, critical point dried, and coated for scanning electron microscopic(SEM) evaluation. The surfaces of tetracycline HCI treated specimens considerably differed from specimens treated with root planing only. Results demonstrated that root-planed, no-tetracycline HCI specimens had amorphous, irregular surface which corresponded to a smear layer. Tetracycline HCI specimens exhibited collagen fibers and dentinal tubules exposed by the removal of the smear layer. Although some differences were seen in surface structures among some specimens. "burnished" application causes more extensive change than "placed" application, and application time of the tetracycline HCl did not seem to have any major impact on the surface morphology.