CO2 laser treatment of traumatic pulpal exposures in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
Successful non-devitalizing treatment of localized pulpal lesions in mature teeth is not ensured using conventional endodontic techniques. The objective of this study was to evaluate CO2 laser surgical treatment of pulpal exposures in canine patients.


METHODS
17 permanent teeth with pulpal exposures of < or = 48 h duration received localized laser pulp surgery. Laser Parameters: pulse duration: 0.01 s, pulse interval: 1.0 s, spot size: 0.004 cm2, fluence: 276 J/cm2. Exposures were dressed with CaOH and Glass ionomer. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed by one blinded clinician 24 and 52 weeks after treatment.


RESULTS
15/17 laser-treated teeth assessed over > or = 1 year post-treatment remained clinically and radiographically healthy.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate the feasibility of using the CO2 laser for localized pulp surgery. Further studies must optimize laser parameters and identify the range of clinical pathologies which can be treated using this modality.
Wilder-Smith
P
P
Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Center, University of California, Irvine 92612, USA. pwsmith@bli.uci.edu
Peavy
G M
GM
Nielsen
D
D
Arrastia-Jitosho
A M
AM
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D011672:Pulpotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002245:Carbon Dioxide