Rooting Out Pain: PIPS and SWEEPS in the Battle against Postoperative Discomfort | Chapter 1 | Medical Science: Recent Advances and Applications Vol. 11

 

Background: A successful root canal isn’t just about shaping the canals—it’s about making sure they are completely clean and free from bacteria. Traditional syringe irrigation often struggles to reach the tiny, hidden spaces inside a tooth, which can leave bacteria behind and cause pain after treatment.

 

Aim: This article looks at how two modern laser-based techniques—Photon-Induced Photoacoustic Streaming (PIPS) and Shockwave-Enhanced Emission Photoacoustic Streaming (SWEEPS)—help improve cleaning and reduce post-treatment discomfort, comparing them with ultrasonic, sonic, and conventional irrigation methods.

 

Methods: We reviewed recent research, including laboratory and clinical studies, that evaluated how well PIPS and SWEEPS remove debris and bacteria, and how they affect patient comfort after treatment.

 

Results: Both PIPS and SWEEPS use bursts of Er:YAG laser energy to create shockwaves in the cleaning solution like EDTA, NaOCl and saline, pushing it deep into complex canal spaces without inserting tips into the canal. SWEEPS, with its well-timed dual pulses, produces stronger waves that are especially effective in curved or narrow canals. Studies consistently show these techniques clean better and cause less discomfort afterwards than older methods. Still, the cost, need for training, and equipment care can limit their use.

 

Conclusion: PIPS and SWEEPS are changing how dentists clean root canals, offering better results and a smoother recovery for patients. As the technology becomes more advanced and accessible, it’s likely to play a bigger role in everyday dental care.

 

Author(s) Details

Malhaan Khan K
SRM Kattankulathur Dental College and Hospital, India.

 

Tripuravaram Vinay Kumar Reddy
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, SRM Kattankulathur Dental College and Hospital, India.

 

Vijay Venkatesh
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, SRM Kattankulathur Dental College and Hospital, India.

 

Seetha Kunhikannan
ICON, CRO Chennai, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msraa/v11/6207