In vitro study of the variable square pulse Er:YAG laser cutting efficacy for apicectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Variable square pulse (VSP) Er:YAG laser should be quicker than older Er:YAG lasers. The objectives were: (1) comparison of VSP laser and mechanical handpiece efficacy for apicectomy and (2) determination of optimal pulse width/energy/frequency combination.


METHODS
Sixty extracted, single-rooted mature human teeth with round apical parts were instrumented, root filled, cleaned, and divided into four groups. Apical 2 mm of each root were apicectomized with mechanical handpiece and Er:YAG laser with three different settings (LaserA = 200 mJ/300 microseconds/ 8 Hz; LaserB = 200 mJ/100 microseconds/8 Hz; LaserC = 380 mJ/100 microseconds/20 Hz). Timing results were statistically compared.


RESULTS
LaserC was the most efficient setting. Differences between groups were significant except between LaserC-Mechanical and LaserA-LaserC (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
VSP Er:YAG laser used for apicectomy is slower by a factor of 7-31 than mechanical handpiece, but treatment outcome is acceptable. Optimal settings for apicectomy with VSP laser are 380 mJ/100 microseconds/20 Hz.
Grgurević
Josko
J
Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, Gundulićeva 5, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia. josko@sfzg.hr
Grgurević
Lovro
L
Miletić
Ivana
I
Karlović
Zoran
Z
Krmek
Silvana Jukić
SJ
Anić
Ivica
I
D000328:Adult; D000535:Aluminum; D001047:Apicoectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003762:Dental Instruments; D004871:Erbium; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007834:Lasers; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D015019:Yttrium
C503779:yttrium-aluminum-garnet; D015019:Yttrium; D004871:Erbium; D000535:Aluminum