title: Effects of CO2 laser treatment on fibroblast attachment to root surfaces. A scanning electron microscopy analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to analyze the CO2 laser effects on root surfaces affected by periodontal disease in comparison to scaling and root planing for fibroblast attachment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty single-rooted human teeth extracted because of advanced periodontal disease were included in this study. A total of 60 specimens, obtained from all selected teeth, were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 1) control (untreated); 2) hand scaling and root planing (SRP); or 3) laser (CO2 defocused pulsed) and ultrasonic scaling. All the specimens were incubated in Petri dishes with fibroblast suspension, and then observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The control group showed the lowest number of attached cells, with no tightly attached fibroblasts. The laser plus scaling group showed the highest number of attached fibroblasts, with the tightly attached fibroblast prevailing. The laser-treated and scaled root specimens did not show any damage or morphologic alteration of the root surfaces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CO2 laser treatment in defocused, pulsed mode with a low power of 2W combined with mechanical instrumentation constitutes a useful tool to condition the root surface and increase fibroblast attachment to root surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Dental Science and Biotechnologies, School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crespi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Covani
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Ciaglia
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Romanos
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000528:radiation effects; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000295:instrumentation; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007739:L Cells; D053685:Laser Therapy; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D011897:Random Allocation; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000528:radiation effects; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000382:microbiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide