In vitro evaluation of effects of ultrasonic root-end preparation on resected root surfaces

This in vitro study investigated structural alterations in resected roots that had root-end preparations made with a conventional microhead handpiece and ultrasonics at two intensity levels. Root ends were examined with fluorescence confocal microscopy. Serial histologic sections to the 2 mm levels and then at the level of 3 mm and 4 mm from the resected surface were examined. Statistical analysis of the confocal data indicated no significant difference between the groups in the number and length of the fractures. Results of the histologic data indicated that root ends prepared by ultrasonics had a statistically greater number of fractures than both the control and the conventionally prepared groups. The latter did not differ significantly from each other.