ULTRASONIC MICRO-PERIOTIPS FOR MICROSCOPIC PRECISION PERIODONTAL TREATMENT

Abstract

The treatment of periodontal disease involves the removal of deposits and infected tooth structure. Traditionally, manual instruments and ultrasonic scalers have been used for this purpose. They are mainly operated by inserting the instrument through the pocket opening and applying the blade along the tooth surface. In this case, it is necessary to consider the size and reachability of the applied instrument to reduce contact with the tooth surface and damage to the soft tissue in the pocket. Shimizu (2021)^{1, 2} developed the micro-retraction method, in which the periodontal pocket is widened under a microscope to visualize the treatment target. A micro-ultrasonic tip was developed to be used in conjunction with this method to enable minimally invasive procedures.

This paper introduces the characteristics of the newly developed micro-periotip and reports its clinical use.