title: The efficiency of root canal disinfection using a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser in vitro.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to determine the bactericidal effect of a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser on root canals in vitro. The efficiency of different laser settings was compared. The in vitro examinations revealed extensive bacterial reduction in extracted, endodontically prepared teeth that had been incubated with Streptococcus faecalis with the most favorable results at a setting of 5 Hz and 2 W. In average, 99.98% of the bacteria injected in the root canal could be eliminated. Considering this bactericidal effect, the application of the Ho:YAG laser in root canal treatment appears to be very efficient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University of Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gutknecht
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nuebler-Moritz
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Burghardt
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lampert
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000528:radiation effects; D006695:Holmium; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D006695:Holmium