title: Er:YAG laser scaling of diseased root surfaces: a histologic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to observe the effects of an erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser when used to treat periodontally involved root surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty teeth affected by severe periodontal disease and scheduled for extraction were divided into two groups: in group A (control), 20 teeth were treated by hand instrumentation, and in group B (test), 20 teeth were treated by Er:YAG laser.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In group A (teeth treated by curets), the root cementum layer was completely removed, but many deep scratches on the dentin layer were also observed. In group B, the laser-treated root surfaces, there was no cracking or carbonization, and the bacterial flora was completely eliminated, leaving a rough and uniform surface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the present study showed that clinical use of an Er:YAG laser in vivo achieves plaque and calculus removal, providing a rough surface morphology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysical, Medical, and Odontostomatological Sciences and Technologies, Medical School, University of Genova, Genova, Italy. robcresp@libero.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crespi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Covani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D001419:Bacteria / Q000528:radiation effects; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003804:Dentin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004871:Erbium; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000532:radiotherapy; D013357:Subgingival Curettage / Q000295:instrumentation; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000382:microbiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015019:Yttrium
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D015019:Yttrium; D004871:Erbium