Biological aspects and clinical importance of ultrasound therapy in bone healing.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to review past and recent literature findings regarding the effects of ultrasound therapy on bone healing and its clinical efficacy in medical and dental interventions. METHODS: A literature review was conducted on the effects of ultrasound therapy on bone healing. The studies regarding clinical applications in long bones and maxillofacial bones were evaluated separately from each other. RESULTS: The effects of therapeutic ultrasound on bone healing have been studied for half a century. Numerous clinical and experimental studies have addressed this relationship, and many of them have shown positive correlations. Although several theories have been proposed to explain the mechanism of action, the exact mechanism has not been fully understood. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic ultrasound therapy in clinical settings is a noninvasive application and has no serious complications or side effects. It may be an acceptable treatment of choice in many types of clinical procedures involving maxillofacial bones.