Low-energy shock waves disrupt oral bacteria. Low-energy (extracorporeal) shock waves are characterized by alternating positive and negative pressures. These pressure waves travel through fluid and soft tissues, and their physical effects occur at interface surfaces. Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) has numerous applications in medicine and has been used to break up calcium deposits in the kidney (lithotripsy), as well as to disintegrate calcium deposits in the pancreas and gallbladder. To date, no studies have been performed to determine whether low-energy shock waves could have an effect on bacteria. However, this was the topic of a research project published in