title: Ultrasonics in endodontics: a review of the literature.
abstract: During the past few decades endodontic treatment has benefited from the development of new techniques and equipment, which have improved outcome and predictability. Important attributes such as the operating microscope and ultrasonics (US) have found indispensable applications in a number of dental procedures in periodontology, to a much lesser extent in restorative dentistry, while being very prominently used in endodontics. US in endodontics has enhanced the quality of treatment and represents an important adjunct in the treatment of difficult cases. Since its introduction, US has become increasingly more useful in applications such as gaining access to canal openings, cleaning and shaping, obturation of root canals, removal of intracanal materials and obstructions, and endodontic surgery. This comprehensive review of the literature aims at presenting the numerous uses of US in clinical endodontics and emphasizes the broad applications in a modern-day endodontic practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. gplotino@fastwebnet.it
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Plotino
authors.forename: Cornelis H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Pameijer
authors.forename: Nicola Maria
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Somma
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity; D020878:Device Removal / Q000295:instrumentation; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011176:Post and Core Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000295:instrumentation; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*