title: Temperature changes in the deciduous pulp chamber during cavity preparation with the Er:YAG laser.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the temperature changes in the pulp chambers of deciduous molars during cavity preparation with an Er:YAG (erbium substituted: yttrium aluminium garnet) laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cavities were prepared in 14 maxillary deciduous molars: one with the Er:YAG laser and other with a diamond bur using a high-speed handpiece (control), providing 4 groups with 7 cavities each. The laser treatment was applied for 30 seconds (group 1) and 60 seconds (group 3). The internal pulp temperature was recorded during preparation procedures with a thermocouple, and temperature changes were calculated by the difference between the maximum and initial temperature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences (P<.01) between Er:YAG laser irradiation for 60 seconds and 30 seconds and the 2 high-speed drilling groups, which were similar. The Er:YAG laser used for 60 seconds provided the highest temperature alteration (4.01 degrees C).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Er:YAG laser irradiation increased the temperature of the deciduous teeth compared to the high-speed drilling treatment. The temperature increments, however, remained below the critical value (5.5 degrees C).
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, University of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Silvério
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Castilho
authors.forename: Aline Evangelista
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: de Souza-Gabriel
authors.forename: Melissa Andrea
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Marchesan
authors.forename: Luis José
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Floriam
authors.forename: Manoel Damião
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Sousa-Neto
authors.forename: Yara Teresinha
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Correa Silva-Sousa
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001831:Body Temperature; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003755:Dental High-Speed Technique; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008963:Molar; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000502:physiology*