A new approach for the surgical exposure of impacted canines by ultrasonic surgery through soft tissue

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit of an ultrasonic device for cutting soft tissue in the surgical exposure of impacted canines. Forty-eight patients aged from 14 to 24 years were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two equal groups of 24 patients each. Patients in the first group were treated with ultrasonic surgery, whilst those in the second group were treated with a cold steel blade and served as a control group. Under ultrasonic surgery, the rate of cut was slower as compared to the cold steel blade. The ultrasonic cutting procedure was very time-consuming, however bleeding was greatly reduced and the time required for the entire surgical procedure was reduced as compared to the control group. The bonding procedure was aborted in three cases when using the cold steel scalpel, and a two-stage procedure was needed in these cases. Histological evaluation of the gingival resection showed no sharp cutting edges and no tissue necrosis. In conclusion, results of soft tissue cutting by ultrasonic surgery are encouraging. Vibration enhances the cutting ability of the blade and coagulates blood vessels as tissues are incised, with no necrosis occurring. Thus, it is may be possible to place brackets during the same surgery.