The GentleWave® Difference isn’t just in the patient experience—it is proven in post-procedure radiographic examination. The far-reaching capabilities of the GentleWave Procedure can be visualized in the following case study gallery, evidencing its ability to locate and efficiently clean the deepest, most complex portions of the root canal system2,3 that are frequently left untouched by standard root canal therapy.4
4 Paqué F et al. (2010) J Endod. 36:703-7
The patient presented with dull, aching pain on the upper right side of her mouth. Tooth #5 wasn’t responsive to cold and had sensitivity to percussion. A CBCT scan revealed periapical pathology. In a single visit and with conservative preparation, the GentleWave® Procedure cleaned and disinfected the root canal system. Post-op images revealed complex anatomy, including lateral canals corresponding with the pathology seen on the CBCT scan.
“Before adopting the GentleWave® Procedure, I often wouldn’t see lateral canals; this case makes me feel good in knowing that I cleaned all the complexities of the root canal system.”
Does anatomy matter?
It’s one of the questions I considered when incorporating the GentleWave® Procedure into my practice. When I obturated this case, treated with the GentleWave Procedure in a single visit, my initial excitement was certainly around the “crazy anatomy.”
The healing at two and ten months reiterates that anatomy does matter. Thorough cleaning and disinfection with minimal instrumentation, in a single visit and with these results, reminds me why I invested in the GentleWave® Technology.
A 65-year-old female with no clinical symptoms was referred by her dentist, who noticed radiographic signs of bone loss surrounding the roots of her molar. In a single visit, the canals were cleaned and disinfected with the GentleWave Procedure. Eight weeks later, the periodontal reading at the distobuccal root surface measured 2 mm, and periapical imaging revealed extensive bone regeneration. Continued bone regeneration was evident at 3-month, 5-month and 13-month recalls.
Six months post-op, the periradicular bone appeared to have completely healed. The patient resumed active orthodontic treatment. This case illustrates the power of a single-visit GentleWave® Procedure in effectively cleaning and disinfecting the root canal system and promoting rapid healing.
In a single visit, 4 canals were prepared to an apical diameter of #20. The GentleWave® Procedure was used to clean and disinfect the canals. Following obturation, a previously undetected fifth canal orifice in the apical third of the palatal root was revealed. The patient’s symptoms were relieved, and healing was visible three months post-procedure.
This case is a beautiful example of the power of the GentleWave® Procedure with conservative instrumentation. Using VTaper 2H files to retain as much cervical root structure as possible, the Multisonic Ultracleaning® energy of the GentleWave Procedure allowed us to accomplish our goals for maximum cleaning and disinfection. Notice the secondary anatomy — areas clearly cleaned by the GentleWave® System — where I never introduced a file.
