title: Effects of Er:YAG laser and ultrasonic treatment on fibroblast attachment to root surfaces: an in vitro study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser and ultrasonic treatment on fibroblast attachment to periodontally diseased root surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty single-rooted human periodontally involved teeth were included in this study. A total of 60 specimens were obtained from all selected teeth and were randomly assigned to the following three groups: group A, untreated control group; group B, ultrasonic group; and group C, Er:YAG laser at 160 mJ/pulse at 10 Hz group. All of the specimens were incubated in petri dishes with fibroblast suspension and observed by scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laser-treated specimens showed a significantly higher cell density number, with a mean+/-SD of 3,720+/-316 cells/mm2. The ultrasonically treated group showed a lower cell density number, with a mean+/-SD of 658+/-140 cells/mm2. The untreated control group showed the lowest cell density number, with a mean+/-SD of 130+/-80 cells/mm2. Differences between all groups were significant (P<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the study indicate that untreated control surfaces and ultrasonically treated surfaces exhibited a significantly lower number of attached cells compared to laser-treated specimens, which showed a significantly higher cell density number.
authors.affiliation: Dental School, University San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. robcresp@libero.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crespi
authors.forename: George E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Romanos
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cassinelli
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gherlone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004871:Erbium; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy*; D016369:Smear Layer; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000166:cytology*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy
chemical_list: D004871:Erbium