title: Fluorescence-controlled Er:YAG laser for caries removal in permanent teeth: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: The aim of this randomized clinical study was to compare the efficacy of a fluorescence-controlled erbium-loaded yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser with conventional bur treatment for caries therapy in adults. Twenty-six patients with 102 carious lesions were treated using either the Er:YAG laser, at threshold levels of 7, 8, 9, and 10 [U], or rotary burs. Both techniques were applied to each lesion at separate locations. After treatment, dentine samples were obtained using a carbide bur. The viable counts of Streptococcus mutans (SM) and lactobacilli (LB) [expressed as colony-forming units (log10 CFUs)], treatment time, pain, vibration, and sound intensity were determined. The median numbers of CFUs for SM and LB were not statistically different between laser and bur treatment at threshold levels 7 and 8 [U]. At threshold levels 9 and 10 [U], the median number of CFUs for LB [1.11 (range: 0.00-2.04)] were significantly higher following laser treatment than following bur treatment [0.30 (range: 0.00-0.60)]. The results indicate that treatment with a fluorescence-controlled Er:YAG laser at threshold levels of 7 and 8 removed caries to a level similar to that achieved using conventional bur treatment, with clinically irrelevant amounts of remaining bacteria. Although more time consuming, laser treatment provided higher patient comfort than bur treatment.
authors: Department of Periodontology, Operative and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. Henrik.Dommisch@ukb.uni-bonn.de
authors: Henrik
authors: H
authors: Dommisch
authors: Katja
authors: K
authors: Peus
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Kneist
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Krause
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Braun
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Hedderich
authors: Søren
authors: S
authors: Jepsen
authors: Jörg
authors: J
authors: Eberhard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003732:Dental Caries Activity Tests; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003755:Dental High-Speed Technique; D003804:Dentin; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013997:Time Factors