A Novel Methodology to Evaluate the Use of an Ultrasonic Tip.
David L. Cloutier, DMD,* James C. Kulild, DDS, MS,* and Mary P. Walker, DDS, PhD†
Introduction: The purpose of this in vitro investigation
was to use a novel methodology to evaluate the use of an
endodontic ultrasonic (US) tip. Methods: BUC 1 US tips
(n = 10) were mounted to a testing apparatus that
applied a linear movement of the US tip to dentin specimens with an axial force of 15 g. Instrumentation was
activated for 20-second cycles up to a 2-minute baseline
and continued for 10-minute intervals up to a defined
inefficient/dropout point. Dentin cutting efficiency was
measured by the change in weight of dentin specimens
to the nearest 0.01 mg. A quantitative analysis was con-
ducted on length and diameter of the US tips by using
images taken at 15.625 magnification and 1000 pixels/
cm (1 pixel = 0.01 mm) resolution. Weight of dentin spec-
imens and images were captured at 2, 50, 100, 150, and
190 minutes of instrumentation. Results: There was no
statistically significant difference in dentin removal
between measurement times for any US tip specimen.
There was a statistically significant difference in tip
length over time (P = .002). Tukey post hoc analysis
revealed that tip length decreased significantly at 2
minutes of instrumentation. Conclusions: Within the
limits of this investigation, the BUC 1 US tip did not
significantly decrease in efficiency between 2 and 190
minutes of use. The decrease in tip length was found
to be significant at 2 minutes of instrumentation. Adding
a linear movement, in addition to an axial force, for
testing US tips will make future investigations more clinically relevant.
(J Endod 2011;37:1264–1267)
Key Words
BUC 1, endodontics, orthograde ultrasonics, ultrasonic
efficiency, ultrasonic instrumentation, ultrasonic tips
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