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ENDO FACTS


Drs. Schiff, Simons, & Hernandez
A Monthly Broadcast
Melbourne, FL (407) 259-2507
Cocoa Beach, FL (407) 799-9721

March 1, 1999
Bradley L. Schiff, Editor
Titusville, FL (407) 287-8319

ULTRASONIC INSTRUMENTATION


INTRODUCTION:

Ultrasonic Instrumentation was introduced to endodontics by Richman in 1957. Since then a variety of applications have been proposed. Ultrasonic units are either magneto-strictive, with electromagnetic energy being converted to mechanical energy, or piezo electric, where crystal deformation is converted to mechanical oscillations.


USE:

  1. Canal cleaning and shaping.
  2. Removal of silver point.
  3. Removal of broken instruments (files, plugger, gates, etc.).
  4. Removal of paste and object in the canal system.
  5. Removal of post-disruption of the cement bond securing the post is the most likely mechanism of action for ultrasonic vibration (minimal loss of tooth structure, lower risk of other damage to the root).
  6. Obturation.
  7. Root end preparation during apical surgery.
  8. Localized canal orifices.


ADVANTAGE:

  1. Minimal bone removal for root end access.
  2. Better control of instrument (vs. micro handpiece).
  3. Reduce risk of perforation.
  4. Less extensive of apical retropreparation and restoration.
  5. Straight line access into the root canal system from the apical end (less removal of tooth structure) during apical surgery.
  6. Parallelism between the cavity preparation and the apical root canal system.
  7. Advantage in the treatment of fluted roots when isthmus is present.
  8. Cleanliness of root end cavity preparation.


DISADVANTAGE:

  1. Relatively expensive (tips).
  2. Fracture of the ultrasonic tip is not uncommon.
  3. Potential for generating crack in retropreparation of tip.

ENDO FACTS is intended to aid the practitioner in the management of endodontic conditions. Practitioners must always use their own best professional judgement. We neither expressly nor implicitly warrant any positive results associated with this material.



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