Possibility of root canal preparation by Er:YAG laser.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cutting efficiency and morphological changes of root dentin irradiated by an Er:YAG laser in vitro.


METHODS
Thirty-two root dentin blocks were divided into 4 groups. The irradiation conditions were as follows: Group 1 (G1): 30 mJ, 10 pps, 1 mm/s, 20 times; Group 2 (G2): 30 mJ, 10 pps, 1 mm/s, 10 times; Group 3 (G3): 30 mJ, 10 pps, 2 mm/s, 20 times; and Group 4 (G4): 30 mJ, 25 pps, 1 mm/s, 10 times. After being irradiated, the blocks were observed by mu-CT and their width and depth were measured. Moreover, SEM observations were performed.


RESULTS
There were significant differences between G1 and G2, between G1 and G3, between G2 and G4, and between G3 and G4 for both width and depth (P < .05). The SEM observations showed that no smear layer was present on the surface of any of the samples.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that the Er:YAG laser operated under the conditions used in this study is an effective tool for root canal preparation.
Inamoto
Kyoko
K
Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University, Aichi, Japan. kyon@dpc.agu.ac.jp
Horiba
Naoki
N
Senda
Shinpei
S
Naitoh
Munetaka
M
Ariji
Eiichiro
E
Senda
Akira
A
Nakamura
Hiroshi
H
D003804:Dentin / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016369:Smear Layer