When most of us think of ultrasound, we think of the imaging technology that’s used to evaluate injuries or monitor a developing baby during pregnancy. But ultrasound is used in dentistry, too — particularly in root canal therapy (RCT), where its unique characteristics can help patients achieve better outcomes and faster healing.
Not every endodontic practice has ultrasound (or ultrasonic) instruments and capabilities, but Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC does. Our team is committed to ensuring that our patients have access to the broadest array of state-of-the-art options focused on achieving optimal oral health outcomes. Here’s how we use ultrasonics in root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment helps preserve teeth that have been badly damaged by decay or trauma. The goal of a root canal is to remove the decayed, damaged central part of the tooth called the pulp.
The pulp portion of your tooth contains the nerves and blood vessels that support tooth health. When this area is decayed, infected, or damaged in another way, that support system is compromised, too, dramatically increasing the risk that the tooth will crumble or fall out. This type of deep decay can also lead to deeper infections affecting your jawbone or even other areas of your body.
Root canal therapy uses special techniques to remove the infected pulp inside the tooth, clean out the root canal system, and seal it and fill it to prevent further infection. It sounds straightforward, but the canals that contain the tooth pulp are complex and narrow, and reaching and thoroughly cleaning the canals can be difficult. That’s when ultrasound comes into play.
Also referred to as ultrasonics, ultrasound devices use high-frequency sound waves that emit tiny vibrations. In root canal treatment, ultrasound instruments help in a couple of different ways.
First, those high-frequency vibrations help loosen and break apart debris to make it easier to remove. For this reason, they’re ideal for root canal retreatment, helping remove old filling material so the canal can be thoroughly cleaned.
That’s the second way ultrasound devices improve root canal outcomes: by supporting a more thorough cleaning. The ultrasound vibrations help special cleaning fluids penetrate the tooth anatomy more efficiently, helping those fluids reach even the narrowest or most complex canal spaces.
Finally, ultrasound devices break up bacteria-laden biofilm that sticks to the canal walls, once again making it easier to completely clean the canals before they’re sealed and filled. Not surprisingly, all these benefits work together to improve root canal outcomes, reduce the risk of reinfection, and improve overall healing.
Ultrasonic technology is just one way our team makes sure every patient receives the most advanced treatment available for optimal outcomes following root canal treatment.
To learn more about the treatments and technology we offer and how we can help you preserve your oral health, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today.
