Prospective utility of therapeutic ultrasound in dentistry-Review with recent comprehensive update

Abstract

Background:The utility of ultrasound (US) for therapeutic purposes is still in its infancy. Therapeutic US (TUS) has been used widely in medical field for urological application, surgical intervention, bone healing, and osteointegration in cancer and healing of full thickness excised skin lesions, and within dentistry as a prediagnostic, diagnostic and therapeutic purpose. The purpose of the paper is to review and determine the efficacy of US as one of the treatment modalities for its role in maxillofacial region to reduce pain and promote soft tissue healing.Materials and Methods:A Medline search included of the international literature published between 1976 and 2011 and was restricted to English language articles, published work of past researchers including in vitro and in vivo studies, recent additions of textbooks on surgical and therapeutic applications of US and, current articles in conference papers and reports accessed from the internet using Google search engine on therapeutic ultrasound.Results:Very few article regarding effect of therapeutic of US for its use of insonation for treatment of patient with pain and soft tissue injury are available. This review article mainly emphasizes the therapeutic utility of US in dentistry for its effectiveness to decrease joint stiffness, reduce pain and muscle spasms and improve muscle mobility. In vivo studies have shown very little clinical effects.Conclusions:Further research is warranted in this clinically important area to make the development of noninvasive, multifunctional ultrasound devices for repair, regeneration and other therapeutic utility a success.

Effect of Diclofenac Gel Phonophoresis on Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Prospective Quasi-Experimental Study

“…These findings are similar to those reported by Rai et In the present study, the US treatment protocol dose was set at 1 W/cm 2 /1 MHz/5 minutes/every day until 20 sessions of treatment were completed. This is in accordance with the dose proposed by Rai et al (22) (0.5 -1 W/cm 2 /3 MHz/5 min duration) for anti-inflammatory effect. Rai et al (22) stated that lower doses (0.1 -0.6 W/cm 2 ) should be used in acute states, whereas higher doses (0.3 -0.8 W/cm 2 ) must be used for chronic states.…”

“…Rai et al (22) and Mishra et al (23) have stated that no single treatment is more effective than any other for the management of TMJD. However, they state that any treatment modality (US, LASER, short-wave diathermy, and pulsed short-wave diathermy) is better than placebo.…”

“…However, they state that any treatment modality (US, LASER, short-wave diathermy, and pulsed short-wave diathermy) is better than placebo. In Rai's article, it is stated that the US must be used as an adjunct to other therapies (oral splints, heat, acupuncture, or muscle conditioning exercises) (22). Mishra stated that since any single treatment is not better than the others, treatment depended on the expertise of the clinician, the clinical presentation, and the reduction of the risk factors (23).…”

Management of myofascial pain by therapeutic ultrasound and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: A comparative study

“…The frequency used is between 1.0 and 3.0 MHz. [ 12 13 ] It is known to accelerate healing, decrease joint stiffness, alleviate pain, increase the extendibility of collagen fibers, and reduce muscle spasm. [ 14 15 ]…”

Effects of Ultrasound, Laser and Exercises on Temporomandibular Joint Pain and Trismus Following Head and Neck Cancer

“…The present study ran concurrently with a one conducted by Rai et al [35]; they reported that therapeutic ultrasound is effective in the treatment of maxillofacial disorders through lessening pain and enhancing the healing property of soft tissues.…”