Case report: ultrasonic cavity preparation -- an alternative approach for caries removal in paediatric dentistry.

BACKGROUND: Since the invention and application of rotating instruments, the operative treatment of carious lesions has often resulted in considerable removal of tooth structure. Moreover, conventional caries removal and cavity preparation by a combination of the use of a turbine and a handpiece with a bur presents disadvantages to very young patients, whose perception of drilling is unpleasant. This report concerns an alternative approach for caries removal in a child using ultrasound and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this technique. CASE REPORT: A 2-year-old male child was brought by his mother to a private paediatric dental clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The mother's main complaint was the presence of dental caries in her son's anterior teeth. Intraoral clinical examination revealed that the patient had two carious lesions in the maxillary central incisors on mesial surfaces. Cavity preparation was performed using ultrasound and restoration with a light-curing resin. FOLLOW-UP: One year and a half after the restorative procedure the patient presented with the restored teeth in perfect condition.