13th World Congress for Laser Dentistry

26-28, April 2012

Barcelona, Spain

Meeting Abstract

Sponsors: World Federation for Laser Dentistry

- Oral Presentation 7

TITLE: Evaluating and comparing the morphological and histopathological changes induced by Er: YAG laser and diamond bur on Enamel, Dentin and Pulp tissue.

AUTHORS: Shaik SS, Rooban T, Ranganathan T, Umadevi K, Jousha E.

Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil nadu, India.

SOURCE: Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2012 May 1;17(Supplement1):S7.

* doi:10.4317/medoral.17643506

http://dx.doi.org/10.4317/medoral.17643506

Abstract

Introduction: Lasers are widely used in dentistry. Er:YAG laser is commonly used to remove dental tissues. It is simple and causes less pulpal changes. Aim: To evaluate and compare the morphological and histopathological changes in the enamel, dentin and pulp tissue of teeth treated by Er:YAG laser and conventional burs.

Materials and methods: The cavity preparation bet-ween convention methods and laser were compared in 18 patients (40) samples. Class I cavity was prepared using Er:YAG laser and conventional burs. The teeth were extracted and compared. The time required to prepare cavity was measured. Morphological analysis was done using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image of ground sections. Decalcification of the teeth was done and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histopathological analysis was compared.

Results: The patient acceptance was similar in both groups. The time required to prepare the cavity by laser is longer than bur. The SEM analysis showed the lased cavity is irregular in appearance with absence of smear layer. The ground section and decalcified section of the teeth in both methods showed no differences in the enamel and dentin with minimal pulp changes.

Conclusion: The Er:YAG laser is effective in the removal of dental hard tissue without damaging the pulp with ideal energy output. It needs time to accept by dentist and patients and require further studies needed to explore its advantages.