Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with tooth disease that requires interventions. This includes a variety of types of procedures including root canals, restorations, implants, bridges or other procedures. The ability to disrupt infections and treat biofilms is an important part of a successful treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How it Works<\/strong> Advantages<\/strong> Focused ultrasound also preserves dentin maintenance compared to mechanical techniques and easily accommodates the variable structure of the nerve root.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information, please see the patient information site<\/strong><\/a> or the manufacturer\u2019s (Sonendo) website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the present time, there are no clinical trials recruiting patients. However, a 12-month study<\/strong><\/a> was completed recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Foundation updates these pages regularly, but with the increasing number of clinical trials, we want to be sure that our audience has the latest information available. Therefore, we also added the website search information for the above trials. If you click here<\/strong><\/a>, it will take you to the latest information available from https:\/\/www.clinicaltrials.gov\/<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This treatment is not yet approved by regulatory bodies or covered by medical insurance companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tran MD, Hubbard A, Rinaldi CA, Ngo H, Rajan SM, Fawzy A.\u00a0Novel High Intensity Focused Ultrasound in Debriding Ti Dental Implant-Attached Streptococcus mutans Biofilms<\/strong><\/a>. Int Dent J. 2025 Sep 18;75(6):103905.\u00a0doi: 10.1016\/j.identj.2025.103905. PMID: 40972477\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tran MD, Rajan SM, Ngo H, Fawzy A. High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Versus Airflow\u00ae in Debriding Ti-Attached S. mutans Biofilms<\/strong><\/a>. Int Dent J. 2025 Mar 22;75(3):1532-1543. doi: 10.1016\/j.identj.2024.12.037. PMID: 40121850 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Maria Rajan S, Shrestha B, Elkholy MMA, Ahmed HMA, Fawzy A. The Effect of High-intensity Focused Ultrasound on Intracanal Bacterial Reduction, Chemical Structure, and Mechanical Properties of Root Dentine<\/strong><\/a>. Eur Endod J. 2025 Mar;10(2):116-126. doi: 10.14744\/eej.2024.77487. PMID: 40143565 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tran MD, Ngo H, Fawzy A. High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in Dentistry: A Literature Review<\/strong><\/a>. Int Dent J. 2024 Apr 11:S0020-6539(24)00060-1. doi: 10.1016\/j.identj.2024.02.004. PMID: 38609759 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rajan SM, Shrestha B, Aati S, Kujan O, Tay A, Fawzy AS. Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficacy of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Versus Photodynamic Therapy Against Enterococcus faecalis-Infected Root Canals<\/strong><\/a>. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2023 Aug;49(8):1875-1881. doi: 10.1016\/j.ultrasmedbio.2023.04.018. Epub 2023 May 30. PMID: 37263892 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ordinola-Zapata R, Crepps JT, Arias A, Lin F. In vitro apical pressure created by 2 irrigation needles and a multisonic system in mandibular molars<\/strong><\/a>. Restor Dent Endod. 2021 Feb 8;46(1):e14. doi: 10.5395\/rde.2021.46.e14. eCollection 2021 Feb.
This novel technology can work in a variety of ways, including sending beams of focused ultrasound energy into the cleaning fluid which forms cavitation bubbles. The negative pressure that comes from the cavitation greatly enhances the cleaning of the targeted tissue. This is very helpful as it is a noninvasive, non-ionizing, drug free method of treating dental hard tissues, bone disease, the root canal system and implants. This type of work is also being explored to help treat biofilms and more effectively deliver antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conventional techniques effectively clean 29% of the nerve root, and passive ultrasound techniques may achieve 80%. The focused ultrasound cavitation bubble technique achieved a cleanliness level reported at greater than 97%. For certain patients, focused ultrasound use may improve the success of this procedure and also enhance the patient\u2019s comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\nClinical Trials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Notable Papers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Park SY, Kang MK, Choi HW, Shon WJ. Comparative Analysis of Root Canal Filling Debris and Smear Layer Removal Efficacy Using Various Root Canal Activation Systems during Endodontic Retreatment<\/strong><\/a>. Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Nov 16;56(11):615. doi: 10.3390\/medicina56110615.
Crozeta BM, Chaves de Souza L, Correa Silva-Sousa YT, Sousa-Neto MD, Jaramillo DE, Silva RM. Evaluation of Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation and GentleWave System as Adjuvants in Endodontic Retreatment<\/strong><\/a>. J Endod. 2020 Sep;46(9):1279-1285. doi: 10.1016\/j.joen.2020.06.001. Epub 2020 Jun 15.
Grigsby D Jr, Ordinola-Zapata R, McClanahan SB, Fok A. Postoperative Pain after Treatment Using the GentleWave System: A Randomized Controlled Trial<\/strong><\/a>. J Endod. 2020 Aug;46(8):1017-1022. doi: 10.1016\/j.joen.2020.04.004. Epub 2020 Jun 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n