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Ultrasonic preparation improves outcome in apical surgery
1Department of General Dentistry, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan.
Evidence-Based Dentistry
|June 28, 2008
Summary
Ultrasonic devices offer a significant advantage in apical surgery compared to traditional burs, particularly for molar treatments. This randomized controlled trial demonstrates higher success rates with ultrasonic preparation.
Area of Science:
- Endodontics
- Dental Surgery
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Apical surgery aims to treat persistent periapical lesions unresponsive to conventional root canal therapy.
- Traditional root-end preparation often involves round burs, while newer techniques utilize ultrasonic devices.
Discussion:
- The study compared the efficacy of ultrasonic diamond-coated retro-tips versus round dental burs for root-end resection and preparation.
- Success was defined by combined radiological and clinical criteria, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of treatment outcomes.
Key Insights:
- The ultrasonic group achieved an 80.5% success rate, compared to 70.9% in the bur group (P=0.056).
- A statistically significant difference in success rates was observed in molar teeth (P=0.02), favoring ultrasonic preparation.
- Ultrasonic preparation demonstrated a clear benefit, especially in complex molar root-end surgeries.
Outlook:
- Further research could explore long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of ultrasonic devices in apical surgery.
- Standardization of ultrasonic techniques may enhance predictability and reproducibility in endodontic retreatment.
- Investigating patient-reported outcomes and minimally invasive approaches could refine current apical surgery protocols.