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This paper reviews diagnostic applications of ultrasound to dentistry, or dental ultrasonography, beginning with pioneering work of the 1960s up through present lines of research. Clinical, in vivo applications that are of direct interest to dental practice are reviewed here, including measurements of enamel thickness and periodontal pocket depth. In vitro research that involves destructive tooth preparation or procedures, such as sound speed measurements or scanning acoustic microscopy, also are included. Although dental ultrasonography has been studied for over 40 years, most methods are not quite ready for routine clinical use, and there remains much opportunity for diagnostic ultrasonography to significantly impact the practice of dentistry.

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