Dentin removal efficacy over time of the Buc-1 ultrasonic tip

A Novel Methodology to Evaluate the Use of an Ultrasonic Tip

“…Previously extracted third molars were collected from the Oral Surgery Clinic at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Dentistry in accordance with previous protocols for institutional review board approval, specimen storage, and specimen preparation for testing (6,7). The BUC 1 (Obtura Spartan, Fenton, MO), found to be one of the more efficient US tips in recent publications (6,7,9), was used in this investigation.…”

“…Although there have been several different surfaces and designs developed to improve cutting and durability of US tips, the literature contains few reports on their efficacy (7)(8)(9). Many published studies have concentrated on vibratory filing of root canal systems (10)(11)(12), irrigation (4,13), post and instrument removal (14)(15)(16), and retrograde preparations (17)(18)(19)(20).…”

“…The few investigations that have been published on the efficiency of US tips differ in many aspects of their reported materials and methods (6)(7)(8)(9)21). Past studies have used different testing apparatuses to evaluate US tips such as a double pan balance (8,9,21) or a universal tester (6,7).…”

“…Past studies have used different testing apparatuses to evaluate US tips such as a double pan balance (8,9,21) or a universal tester (6,7). Ultrasonic tips have been evaluated on their cutting efficacy in dentin (6)(7)(8)(9) or dental stone (21) by evaluating the change in weight between instrumentation cycles. Forces in grams applied to US tips have varied and include 15 g (6, 7), 30 g (21), 40 g (9), and 60 g (8).…”

“…Forces in grams applied to US tips have varied and include 15 g (6, 7), 30 g (21), 40 g (9), and 60 g (8). US instrumentation times have varied between studies and include 60-second cycles for a total of 3 minutes (8), 30-second cycles for a total of 90 seconds (9), 20-second cycles for a total of 4 minutes (6), and 20-second cycles for a total of 30 minutes (7). One study evaluated the cutting efficacy of US tips by measuring the time required to prepare a 3-mm-deep preparation (21).…”