13th World Congress for Laser Dentistry

26-28, April 2012

Barcelona, Spain

Meeting Abstract

Sponsors: World Federation for Laser Dentistry

- Oral Presentation 19

TITLE: The effects of Er:YAG and diode laser on Enterococcus Faecalis: an in vitro study.

AUTHORS: Telesca V, Palaia G, Tenore G, Berlutti F, Romeo U.

SOURCE: Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2012 2012 1;17(Supplement1):S19.

* doi:10.4317/medoral.17643518

http://dx.doi.org/10.4317/medoral.17643518

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test, by an “in vitro” experience, the antimicrobial activity of two different wavelength lasers (Diode 808nm and Er:YAG)

Introduction : The use of lasers in endodontic treatment has been increased in recent years, especially thanks to their antimicrobial abilities that have been investigated in vitro.

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to test, by an “in vitro” experience, the antimicrobial activity of two different wavelength lasers (Diode 808nm and Er:YAG 2940nm) against Enterococcus faecalis.

Materials and methods :Thirty root canals were consi-dered for the experiment. All teeth were sterilized by autoclaving at 134° C, then they were infected artificially with colonies of E. faecalis and finally divided into six groups of five teeth each.

Control group (CG): no treatment

G1: only diode laser irradiation

G2: only Er:YAG laser irradiation

G3: mechanical instrumentation plus NaOCl 5,25%

G4: same protocol of G3 plus diode laser irradiation

G5: same protocol of G3 plus Er:YAG laser irradiation. A quantitative evaluation using BioTimer method was performed. Moreover, a qualitative analisys with BacLight®LIVE/DEAD viability probe and observation by epifluorescence microscopy was conducted.

Results: The treatment with the diode laser greatly reduced the number and the size of bacterial aggregates that were not immersed in extracellular matrix. The microscopy observations about the bacterial cultures treated using the Er:YAG laser revealed that bacterial aggregates were very rare. Conclusion: In every case, laser irradiation improved the root canal disinfection. Er:YAG laser showed best results.