title: Irradiation of infected root canals with a diode laser in vivo: results of microbiological examinations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It was shown in previous studies [1] that the Nd:YAG laser can be used as an excellent tool for killing bacteria in root canals. The present examinations were carried out with a high power diode laser in comparison with a conventionally treated control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this in vivo study, 40 patients with infected root canals underwent diode laser treatment. To verify the findings, microbiological tests were performed and the results compared to those obtained with conventional antibacterial treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The microbiological examination revealed streptococci at relevant concentrations in 20 cases and staphylococci in 5 cases. Extensive bacterial reduction was achieved in all cases by repeating laser treatment only once. Following the first irradiation, minimal streptococcal growth was observed in 7 root canals and minimal staphylococcal growth in 2 root canals. The maximum log kill was 4.22 for streptococci and 3.33 for staphylococci. In the control group, a maximum reduction by only one log step could be achieved in 6 of 10 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with the results achieved with the conventional bactericidal technique in the control group, the high power diode laser seems to be highly suitable for killing bacteria in infected root canals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Dental School, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gutknecht
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schoop
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goharkhay
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Doertbudak
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sperr
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome