SP-42 - Waterlase, Gentlewave or Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation: What's Best for Root Canal Disinfection?

Thursday, April 18, 2024

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM PT

Location: 515 B

Earn 1.0 CE Credits

Speaker(s)

Glen A. Karunanayake, BDS MSc (he/him/his)

Associate Professor
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Francesco DeMayo, DMD, MPH (he/him/his)

Resident and Teaching Assisitant
University of North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Slides Handouts

Session Host(s)

John S. Olmsted, DDS, MS (he/him/his)

Adjunct clinical professor
UNC
Summerfield, North Carolina

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Presentation Description/Abstract: Considerable advances have been made to optimize root canal disinfection but there have been few direct comparisons of different modalities such as Gentlewave, Waterlase or passive ultrasonic irrigation. This presentation will review the perceived advantages and disadvantages of each modality based upon utility, cost and effectiveness. Data from an ongoing randomized controlled clinical trial will be presented based on surveys of user preferences and patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the limitations of syringe irrigation to debride and disinfect the root canal space.
Describe the scientific principles governing the reputed effectiveness of Gentlewave, Waterlase and ultrasonic devices to clean and disinfect the root canal space.
Compare Gentlewave, Waterlase and passive ultrasonic irrigation based upon cost, utility, operator and patient preferences.