Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves in a liquid bath to create cavitation, where microscopic bubbles repeatedly form and collapse around immersed items. This action helps loosen debris from instrument surfaces and recessed areas before subsequent reprocessing steps. In dental workflows, ultrasonic cleaning is a cleaning stage rather than a sterilization method. This category includes compact, standard, and larger-capacity units, with model-dependent features such as heating, timers, digital controls, baskets, and adjustable power. Tank capacity, ultrasonic frequency, cleaning solution, cycle time, and material compatibility vary by application. Users should follow instrument, solution, and equipment manufacturer instructions during operation and maintenance.