Clinical applications of ultrasonic instrumentation in the surgical removal of bone.

The clinical use of ultrasonic inserts in the surgical removal of alveolar bone has been evaluated. Surgical applications included the removal of 19 teeth and the osseous management of periodontal disease in 50 cases. Histologic material was provided by resected bone fragments attached by periodontal tissues in anatomic relation to removed teeth. Microscopic observations of sections revealed that planed surfaces of bone were smooth, while incised edges were irregular. Evidence for residual debris was absent. No alterations in adjacent lacunar osteocytes, vascular channels, and underlying periodontal tissues were noted in clinical use, the ultrasonic inserts were found to remove bone with ease and preciseness. Hemorrhage from surgical sites was minimal or absent. Healing of tissues was uneventful with no postoperative complications encountered. Patients reported minimal discomfort during and following the surgical application of this instrumentation.