Why I’m a Gentlewave Provider

So much has changed in endodontics in the last decade. I remember being in dental school and being in absolute awe at the power of a microscope. Then, when I started my residency, I got my hands on a CBCT. And just WOW. Things have only continued to evolve from there—now I’m a proud GentleWave provider.

GentleWave is root canal therapy at its least invasive, without sacrificing any of the efficacy of regular treatment. I like to think of the GentleWave procedure as an elevated root canal. I’ve consistently been so impressed with the power of the GentleWave to perform tricky root canals while preserving tooth structure and promoting quick healing. 

Why am I such an advocate for this technology? Let’s get into it.

Becoming a GentleWave Provider

I first demoed Sonendo’s GentleWave back in 2018. What struck me immediately was that this procedure would offer a whole new way of doing irrigation. It’s no secret that after cleaning with a rotary file, 35% of the walls remain untouched, which can lead to a whole lot of retreatments and multiple visits to the endodontist—and who wants that?

The GentleWave flipped the script on that. I have seen, over and over again, how the GentleWave is able to much more comprehensively irrigate for my patients. It reaches all throughout the tooth and those tiny, absolutely microscopic places where bacteria can hide and cause trouble down the line.

As dentists, we know how complex a tooth’s root systems can be, and to possess technology that can clean to the end of every last twist and turn? Well, that’s like a superpower.

As soon as I got my hands on one of these bad boys, I knew the way I performed endo would change forever.

How Technology Saves Time

I find that using my cone beam alongside GentleWave is saving a boatload of time—not just for me, but for my patients, too. And, my friends, I am ALL about finding opportunities to increase both efficiency and efficacy in my practice.

I find that my CBCT allows me to accurately diagnose even the trickiest of cases, and not just that, I can help patients truly understand what is going on with their teeth. And even when the tooth isn’t saveable,, I can give them a lot more insight as to why that’s the case with the help of the cone beam.

When it comes to being a GentleWave provider, I find that I’m saving my patients retreatment. When I can more efficiently irrigate and clean a tooth, that means there is WAY less potential for reinfection, pain, and more treatments in the future. Because the GentleWave’s fluid dynamics and soundwaves can reach everywhere within the tooth, the bacteria and debris that can impact the success of the root canal long term are almost totally eliminated. Seriously, WOW.

And even better, when I’m using my GentleWave, a root canal rarely takes more than a single appointment, even on complex root canals for molars. And get this—usually treatment with the GentleWave takes about 10 minutes.

My chair time is way down, I can see more patients (and be more productive while making more money!), and they get to leave my office quicker. It’s a win for dentists and for patients!

Patient Comfort and Recovery

I’ve had my share of tooth pain, myself, and I’ve spent weeks of my life in recovery from dental procedures. That’s why one of the things I love most about being a GentleWave provider is that I can keep my patients comfortable during their root canals and speed up their post endo recovery time.

With a traditional root canal, most patients experience relief from pain almost instantly, though recovery times can vary depending on the status of the pulp and the diagnosis at the time of treatment.  Typically at least a few days of rest and recovery are required.

Yet, with a GentleWave, the whole process is much less invasive, and generally requires less recovery time. That’s the power of the human body, y’all! When we provide minimally invasive operations, it can heal itself much more rapidly.

Look, it isn’t a miracle technology. GentleWave procedures do still require a follow-up to check in on progress from time to time. But usually I find that GentleWave patients experience quicker healing, which, of course, is the goal! 

I’ve also observed WAY less post-op pain. And in fact, I rarely need to prescribe anything stronger than Advil to keep my patients feeling good during recovery.

Need more evidence? Here are two of my favorite tooth stories featuring the GentleWave procedure:

• Those Pesky Lateral Canals: Where a GentleWave Root Canal Can Really Shine
• Endodontic Technology to Invest in to Save More Teeth

The Heart of the Matter

Our teeth are the gateways to our bodies. Which makes them so, SO important to our overall health. When I see cracked teeth that need to be extracted, the cause is often—you guessed it!—bacterial. That’s why I love being a GentleWave provider—because I can keep my patients out of pain by more comprehensively eliminating bacteria from their canals. And that means I can save more teeth!

Want to get more insight into all the latest dental technology? How about tips and tricks for performing better, more effective endo? What about running a successful profitable business?

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And let me know in the chat, do you have (and use) GentleWave in your practice? If not, what might spur you on to invest in this technology?

– Sonia