title: Evaluation of the bactericidal effect of Er,Cr:YSGG, and Nd:YAG lasers in experimentally infected root canals.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal effect of the Er,Cr:YSGG laser and the Nd:YAG laser in experimentally infected root canals. Sixty single-rooted teeth with straight canals were selected. After preparation and sterilization, the specimens were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis for 3 weeks. After irradiation by lasers, the number of bacteria in each root canal was examined. The Er,Cr:YSGG laser gave a reduction of 77% after irradiation at 1 W and 96% at 1.5 W, but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05). The Nd:YAG laser gave a reduction of 97% at 1 W and 98% at 1.5 W, and there was no significant difference (p > 0.05). Compared with the Er,Cr:YSGG laser, the Nd:YAG laser is more effective (p < 0.05). In conclusion, both lasers systems have a significant bactericidal effect in infected root canals, and the Nd:YAG laser is more effective than the Er,Cr:YSGG laser.
authors.affiliation: Special Dental Department, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Qian-Qian
authors.initials: QQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Cheng-Fei
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xing-Zhe
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004871:Erbium; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015019:Yttrium