The Efficacy of Ultrasonic Cleansing.

Resin blocks containing simulated root canal spaces were compared with extracted teeth as models for the efficiency of endodontic debridement with hand instrumentation, ultrasonication and a combination of both techniques. Canal spaces were filled with radioisotopeladen gelatin and the loss of radioactivity measured after treatment. No significant differences in efficiency of debridement were observed in teeth prepared with hand instruments or ultrasonics alone as both techniques removed between 77 to 79 percent of the radioactivity. Ultrasonication following hand instrumentation was most efficient by removing 88 and 92 percent of the radioactivity in the teeth and blocks respectively. Author