title: Clinical preconditions and treatment modality: effects on pulp surgery outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this research was to evaluate the factors affecting the outcome of localized laser pulp surgery in the canine model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pulpal exposures 2 mm and 5 mm in diameter were prepared in eight healthy teeth in each of five dogs. The total of 40 teeth were left open to infection from the oral cavity for 3 hours or 72 hours; 2-3 mm of surface pulpal tissue were then removed using a fresh diamond bur or a CO2 laser emitting@9.3 microns, at 3.5 W average power in the Superpulse mode. Teeth were monitored clinically and radiographically by one blinded, pre-standardized clinician for 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chi-square test and Fisher's Exact test (2-tail) results associated laser treatment with significantly better clinical and radiographic outcome (P < 0.001). Using regression analysis, duration of pulpal exposure to contamination by the oral environment was identified as primary determinant for treatment outcome within the laser-treated and control groups (P = 0.0018).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical preconditions significantly affect the outcome of pulp surgery treatments.
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 92612, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wilder-Smith
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Peavy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical; D053685:Laser Therapy; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011672:Pulpotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome