title: Post-operative symptoms and healing after endodontic treatment of infected teeth using pulsed Nd:YAG laser.
abstract: Forty-four teeth in 38 patients, diagnosed with chronic apical periodontitis, were endodontically treated. Root canals were shaped using a step-back technique with 5% NaOCl and 3% H2O2 as irrigants. In half of the teeth the canal terminus was irradiated with pulsed Nd:YAG laser (1 W, 15 pps, 1 s). All canals were then obturated with laterally condensed gutta-percha points and sealer, and final radiographs were obtained. Occurrence of spontaneous pain was recorded 1 day after treatment. Percussion pain was recorded after 1 week, and then at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Radiographic follow-up was performed at 3 and 6 months. Percussion pain was significantly less (P < 0.05) in the laser-treated group than in the control group, both 1 week and 3 months after treatment. Other differences between the groups were not significant. These results suggested that the clinical application of pulsed Nd:YAG laser might be advantageous for the treatment of infected root canals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Showa University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koba
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shinoki
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kojy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000628:therapy; D003791:Dental Pulp Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009354:Neodymium; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014098:Toothache / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D009354:Neodymium