Clinical preconditions and treatment modality: effects on pulp surgery outcome.
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.
Dang
J
J
Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 92612, USA.
Wilder-Smith
P
P
Peavy
G M
GM
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