The GentleWave® Procedure

Adam Davis, DDS

Endodontists have long heralded canal debridement as the hallmark of successful root canal therapy. For the past 10 years, our practice has relied on a multiple-appointment model and intracanal medicaments such as calcium hydroxide to effectively clean the root canal system. Our priority has always been to completely eliminate the patient's symptoms of pain prior to obturation, regardless of the number of interim appointments needed to achieve that goal. Secondly, we consider the preservation of tooth structure through conservative access and minimal instrumentation to be of paramount importance to the long-term success of any endodontic treatment. The introduction of the GentleWave^® Procedure to our practice has sustained that commitment to patient-centered care, but dramatically converted our treatment paradigm to primarily single-visit therapy. The results of this adoption have been stunning.

The GentleWave technology relies on a closed-loop system to introduce and simultaneously evacuate endodontic irrigants (ie, sodium hypochlorite, EDTA, distilled water) in teeth that have been accessed and instrumented. Unlike conventional syringe irrigation or ultrasonic agitation, the procedure deploys acoustic energy across a broad range of frequencies to activate those irrigants. The result is the disruption of biofilms and the removal of pulpal tissue from otherwise anatomically inaccessible areas of the canal system. Our posttreatment radiographs frequently demonstrate the penetration of sealer into lateral canals and apical deltas, even in cases where canal patency is not achievable through instrumentation.

From a clinical standpoint, the GentleWave Pro-cedure has neither significantly altered our allotted treatment time nor necessitated aggressive canal shaping. In a matter of minutes, we are able to create the necessary platform above the accessed tooth to enable a vacuum seal with the GentleWave Procedure Instrument. By limiting the obturation of canals to sizes as small as 0.2 mm apically, we not only reduce the number of rotary instruments used but also better maintain the natural internal anatomy of the teeth being treated.

We have incorporated the GentleWave System into each of our three practice locations. Sonendo^® helped make that transition seamless by providing on-site personnel for staff training, device troubleshooting, and even oversight for clinical cases. The investment has already paid dividends for our patients, who are reporting fewer flare-ups, faster postoperative recovery times, and a reduced need for analgesic medications. Unsurprisingly, the successful completion of treatment during a single visit has also won patients over in the conversation of keeping their natural teeth, increasing overall treatment acceptance.

Key Takeaways

1. The GentleWave Procedure can reduce the number of visits needed from two to one, freeing up more time in the schedule for new patients

2. The GentleWave System is convenient and easy to use, providing guidance through every stage of the procedure

3. The GentleWave Procedure provides efficient cleaning with minimal instrumentation, offering your patients a less invasive alternative to standard root canal treatment

4. The GentleWave Practice Success Program ensures that staff members receive effective, multifunctional training, so patients are well- informed about the procedure

About the Author

Adam Davis, DDS
Cumberland Endodontics
Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

Manufacturer
information

Sonendo
sonendo.com
844-766-3636