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
In a single visit, three canals were prepared to an apical diameter of 20/04, followed by the GentleWave® Procedure to clean and disinfect the canals. Following obturation, an isthmus communication between the fused mesiobuccal and palatal roots was noted. The unusual PAX findings were evaluated by CBCT. An apical delta containing multiple exits was discovered in the palatal canal. The GentleWave Procedure cleaned a deep split isthmus between the mesiobuccal canal and palatal canal, which otherwise may have been left uncleaned and unfilled.
"Obturation revealed the GentleWave® Procedure debrided a mid-root and apical isthmus as well as multiple exits in the palatal canal, in the apical third of the mesiobuccal-palatal root formation and connections."
The patient reported no pain two days postoperatively (after reporting a preoperative pain level of 8 on an 11-point verbal pain scale). This case highlights the clinical significance of utilizing the GentleWave Procedure for cleaning complex apical anatomy during endodontic therapy.
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."
Upon post-operative radiographic examination, multiple lateral canals within the apical third of the palatal and distobuccal canals as well as an isthmus between the mesiobuccal canals were visualized. Upon contact with the patient three days post-operative, the patient reported no discomfort.
A patient presented to our office with a complaint of swelling in the area of tooth #15. A sinus tract had been present for about one month. Upon examination, the tooth was diagnosed as necrotic pulp with chronic apical abscess. In a single visit, I was able to thoroughly clean and disinfect the tooth with the GentleWave® Procedure. The tooth was obturated using AH Plus® Sealer and warm vertical compaction of gutta-percha.
"The cleaning ability of the GentleWave® Procedure allowed me to effectively clean exquisite anatomy and provide a result that I was unable to attain previously via traditional methods."
A 74-year-old male presented with intense pain and buccal swelling on tooth #30. His general dentist prescribed antibiotics. Upon examination, buccal swelling remained, and his pain had decreased from severe to moderate. The tooth was nonresponsive to cold and sensitive to percussion. The diagnosis was necrotic pulp with acute apical abscess.
"In a single visit, the GentleWave® Procedure thoroughly cleaned the three mesial canals with three separate exits and multiple distal canal paths which joined into a common exit. Furthermore, the furcal bone loss seen in the radiographs might have misled us into suspecting a cracked tooth. Instead, we saw how the lateral canal on the mesial surface of the distal root caused this furcation radiolucency, thereby avoiding condemning this tooth to a potentially unnecessary extraction."
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.