Intraoral piezosurgery: preliminary results of a new technique.

The piezosurgery instrument, developed in 1988, uses a modulated ultrasonic frequency that permits highly precise and safe cutting of hard tissue. Nerves, vessels, and soft tissue are not injured by the microvibrations (60 to 200 mm/sec), which are optimally adjusted to target only mineralized tissue. The selective and thermally harmless nature of the piezosurgery instrument results in a low bleeding tendency. In addition, the instrument can be used in operations requiring either local or general anesthesia. The precise nature of the instrument allows exact, clean, and smooth cut geometries during surgery. The difference in time requirement for surgical procedures using the piezosurgery instrument in comparison with the conventional drill is negligible. Postoperatively, excellent wound healing, with no nerve and soft tissue injuries, is observed. It is apparent that the range of application of piezosurgery is not limited to minor operations. Because of its highly selective and accurate nature, with its cutting effect exclusively targeting hard tissue, its use may be extended to more complex oral surgery cases, as well as to other interdisciplinary problems.