13th World Congress for Laser Dentistry

26-28, April 2012

Barcelona, Spain

Meeting Abstract

Sponsors: World Federation for Laser Dentistry

-  Poster 63

TITLE: Evaluation of Er: YAG laser disinfection of the root canal system compared to photo-activated therapy and traditional irrigation in endodontics: a clinical trial.

AUTHORS: Migliau G, Lombardi F, Besharat LK, Gallottini L.

SOURCE: Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2012 May 1;17(Supplement1):S211.

* doi:10.4317/medoral.17643711

http://dx.doi.org/10.4317/medoral.17643711

Abstract

Introduction: Endodontic applications of laser technology by clinicians has remained limited partly because of the high cost of use and perhaps partly due to the fact that this technology blurs the border between technical, biological, and dental research.

Aim of the study: To evaluate from a clinical point of view whether a laser can provide equal or improved endodontic treatment over conventional care.

Material and methods: 150 adult patients who presented a mandibular molar to be treated endodontically, where separated in 3 groups, each group was composed of 50 patients (30 teeth presenting apical periodontitis, 20 apical periodontitis with previous root canal treatment). Endodontic single visit treatments were performed by the same operator using always the same protocol.

Group I: after cleaning and shaping each tooth’s root canal system was obturated without further disinfection.

Group II: after cleaning and shaping, each tooth’s root canal system was further disinfected by using the FotoSan system ( CMS Dental ApS, Copenhagen, DK) and then obturated.

Group III: after cleaning and shaping, each tooth’s root canal system was further disinfected by the use of an Er:YAG laser device( KaVo Dental GmbH, D) and then obturated.

Results: After analyzing the data statistically significant differences occurred regarding success of the endodontic treatment between the first group and the other two groups.

Conclusion: Our study confirms the effectiveness of Er:YAG laser and photo-activated therapy in endodontics, laser irradiation or application of the light activated disinfection can determine the success of an endodontic treatment.