Diagnostic and Therapeutic Ultrasound in Dentistry

Definitive diagnosis of any lesion or pathology is obtained with help of diagnostic aids like imaging, lab investigation, histo pathological examination etc. Many imaging techniques were available in addition to conventional x rays. Among advanced imaging ultrasonography is a widely available, non ionizing, relatively inexpensive and easily reproducible imaging modality which uses an oscillating sound pressure wave with a frequency greater than the upper limit of the human hearing range. Nowadays therapeutic ultrasound is most widely used and accepted as an adjuvant treatment modality for patients with pain, musculoskeletal disorders, soft tissue inflammation and swelling. The biological/physiological interactions at tissue level were sufficiently evolved in the last century which leads to further advancement in therapeutic ultrasound when a sound wave propagates through the medium. This paper reviews on both diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound in dentistry.