North Texas Dentistry Volume 8 Issue 4 2018 ISSUE 4 DE | Page 16

SMILES
SPOTLIGHT
in the
LEADERS IN NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY
CREATING UNFORGETTABLE SMILES
Utilizing GentleWave in Endodontics for
Better Patient Outcomes
by Le O’Leary, DDS
The goals of root canal treatment are to 1) chemomechanical
debridement of the root canal system, 2) fill the cleaned and shaped
system, and 3) prevent future recontamination of sealed root canals.
Current methods of mechanical instrumentation have limitations in its
ability to thoroughly clean isthmuses, lateral canals, and multiple
foramina. The GentleWave system uses Multisonic Ultracleaning
technology that safely deliver a vortex of cleaning fluids and broad
spectrum acoustic technology that reaches these canal intricacies.
Studies have shown its efficacy in the removal of the biofilm. One of the
many advantages of the GentleWave system is that we don’t have to
have a large coronal flare as we used to do to accommodate irrigants.
The “look” of a GentleWave treated case is different than the standard
root canal treatment. Canals can be instrumented minimally as the
GentleWave system is efficient in getting into every area of the canal
system. This will leave the patient with a much stronger root, less chance
of a root fracture and ensure a longer lifespan of the tooth.
For the past year as a GentleWave user, we have noticed there are fewer
postoperative problems and significant healing within 3-6 months.
Additionally, the GentleWave system has allowed us to retreat failed root
canals in one appointment instead of several.
16 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
Case 1
The patient was a 36-year-old male who presented with a history of
chewing and spontaneous pain for the past year. The patient often isolated
the discomfort coming from tooth #5. Clinically, tooth #5 felt different to the
palpation test. The radiograph revealed the root canal fillings of tooth #5 are
short of the radiographic apex and there is a radiolucent lesion around the
root apices. This tooth was treated in a single visit with the GentleWave
procedure. The system allowed me to clean, disinfect and debride the
intricacies of the canal anatomy as revealed by the final radiograph.
Pre-GentleWave Procedure
Post-GentleWave Procedure
Case 2
The patient was a 51-year-old male presented with a history of a sinus tract
in the buccal area of tooth #30. The patient was asymptomatic. The
periodontal probing depth was within normal limits. The tooth felt different to
the bite test. The tooth tested necrotic. The tooth has a large radiolucent
lesion around the distal root end that extended coronally along the distal
length of the root. The mesial root has a small radiolucent lesion. The
treatment was completed in a single visit with the GentleWave procedure.
The final radiograph revealed the canal preparation of the mesial root was
conservative and it followed the natural curvature of the root in a wave-like
fashion.Two-month recall radiograph revealed the lesion around the mesial
root was healed and the lesion around the distal root showed signs of
healing. The patient remained asymptomatic.
Pre-GentleWave Procedure
Post-GentleWave Procedure
2-Month Recall Post-GentleWave Procedure