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
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.
After obturation of a mandibular left second molar, a complex apical anatomy was visible between the mesial and distal canals. This anatomy was not known prior to the GentleWave Procedure.
The patient presented with biting and palpation tenderness localized to tooth #19 with a draining sinus tract. Probing 12+ mm to the distal apex posed a prognosis challenge. The endo-perio lesion is a condition characterized by the association of periodontal and pulpal disease in the same dental element. Diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning are complicated due to the influence of pulp pathology, which may cause periodontal involvement and vice versa.
Pulpal diagnosis was necrotic pulp with an apical diagnosis of chronic apical abscess. The GentleWave® Procedure gave me the confidence to complete disinfection and finish treatment in a single visit. Re-evaluation in four weeks demonstrated resolution of the sinus tract and probing depths. At three months, this case demonstrated nearly complete osseous regeneration of previous low-density areas.
“The resolution of symptoms is one factor. However, the ‘early healing’ I am seeing in my practice with the GentleWave® Procedure is extraordinary.”
A 58-year-old patient presented with symptoms on tooth #19. The tooth was diagnosed with pulp necrosis and symptomatic apical periodontitis. In a single visit, the GentleWave® Procedure was able to effectively clean and disinfect a double, curved root in this conservatively shaped anatomy.
"At the two-month recall, rapid healing was evident. In my experience, I wouldn’t have obtained the same result if treated with standard RCT."
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.
In a single visit, the cleaning ability of the GentleWave® Procedure revealed crazy anatomy on tooth #19. Patient presented with soreness and pressure around the gum tissue. The tooth was diagnosed with pulpal necrosis and symptomatic apical periodontitis. Following the GentleWave Procedure, the canals were obturated using gutta-percha points and ThermaSeal® Plus Ribbon® Sealer using a warm vertical method.
"In my experience, with standard RCT this case would have been completed with calcium hydroxide in a two-visit protocol. I was expecting to see anatomy but nothing like this."
