title: Effect of Waterlase laser retrograde root-end cavity preparation on the integrity of root apices of extracted teeth as demonstrated by light microscopy.
abstract: Most endodontists use ultrasonic instruments for retrograde root-end cavity preparations even though they have been found to produce cracks. In this laboratory study, thirty-six randomly chosen roots had root-end cavity preparations made with the Waterlase laser and only one questionable intra-canal crack was found. It was concluded that the Waterlase laser when used to make endodontic root-end cavity preparations produces either no cracks, or a very low percentage (2.8%) of cracks.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA. jawsdds@aol.com
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wallace
mesh_terms: D001047:Apicoectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003754:Dental High-Speed Equipment; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers / Q000145:classification*; D008751:Methylene Blue; D008853:Microscopy; D011670:Pulpectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014172:Transillumination
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D008751:Methylene Blue