Clinical Applications of Ultrasonography in Endodontics: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Ultrasonography (USG) is a non-invasive diagnostic method that provides real-time imaging without the use of ionizing radiation. This technology, which has attracted increasing interest in dental applications in recent years, has demonstrated significant clinical potential in endodontics. In this review, the role of ultrasonography in endodontic applications is comprehensively addressed under the headings of periapical lesion diagnosis and cyst-granuloma differentiation, evaluation of root canal morphology, detection of vertical root fractures, monitoring of post-treatment healing, and assessment of soft tissue and bone. The existing literature demonstrates that ultrasonography exhibits a significant advantage in periapical lesion characterization compared to conventional periapical radiography. The use of color Doppler and power Doppler techniques in evaluating intral esional vascularization provides important information to the clinician in differentiating cysts from granulomas. However, the main factors limiting routine clinical use are dependence on cortical bone integrity, operator experience requirements, and the lack of standardized protocols. In conclusion, ultrasonography represents a valuable complementary tool to conventional imaging methods in selected clinical cases.

Keywords

• ultrasonography
• endodontics
• periaopical lesion
• root canal treatment
• vertical root fracture
• doppler ultrasonography

Supporting Institution

This study was not funded by any institution or organization.

Ethical Statement

This review article does not require ethics committee approval as it contains no primary data.

Endodontide Ultrasonografinin Klinik Uygulamaları: Kapsamlı Bir Derleme

Abstract

Ultrasonografi (USG), iyonlaştırıcı radyasyon kullanmaksızın gerçek zamanlı görüntüleme imkânı sunan non-invaziv bir tanı yöntemidir. Son yıllarda dental uygulamalarda giderek artan ilgi gören bu teknoloji, endodontide önemli klinik potansiyele sahip olduğunu kanıtlamıştır. Bu derlemede, ultrasonografinin endodontik uygulamalardaki rolü; periapikal lezyon tanısı ve kist-granülom ayrımı, kök kanal morfolojisinin değerlendirilmesi, vertikal kök kırığı tespiti, tedavi sonrası iyileşmenin izlenmesi ile yumuşak doku ve kemik değerlendirmesi başlıkları altında kapsamlı biçimde ele alınmıştır. Mevcut literatür, ultrasonografinin konvansiyonel periapikal radyografiye kıyasla periapikal lezyon karakterizasyonunda belirgin üstünlük sergilediğini ortaya koymaktadır. Renkli Doppler ve power Doppler tekniklerinin lezyon içi vaskülarizasyonu değerlendirmede kullanımı, kist-granülom ayrımında klinisyene önemli bilgi sunmaktadır. Bununla birlikte, rutin klinik kullanımı kısıtlayan başlıca faktörler; kortikal kemik bütünlüğüne bağımlılık, operatör deneyimi gereksinimi ve standardize protokol eksikliği olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, ultrasonografi, seçilmiş klinik vakalarda konvansiyonel görüntüleme yöntemlerine güçlü bir tamamlayıcı araç niteliği taşımaktadır.

Keywords

• Ultrasonografi
• Endodonti
• Periapikal lezyon
• Kök kanal tedavisi
• Vertikal kök kırığı
• Doppler ultrasonografi

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma herhangi bir kurum veya kuruluş tarafından desteklenmemiştir.

Ethical Statement

Bu derleme, birincil veri içermemesi nedeniyle etik kurul onayı gerektirmemektedir.

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