title: Cleaning and shaping the root canal with a Nd:YAG laser beam: a comparative study.
abstract: The effectiveness of an experimental Nd:YAG laser fiberoptic delivery system was compared with conventional methods for its ability to cleanse and shape the root canal space in vitro. Thirty-two teeth were divided into two groups. In the first group, the canals were instrumented with K files, in the second the initial preparation was done with a K file and completed with a laser beam. Scanning electron microscopic evaluations showed that preparation with a laser beam is possible and results in an improvement in the cleanliness of the canal walls when compared with conventional techniques.
authors.affiliation: Marseille University, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D055100:Optical Fibers; D018583:Pliability; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016369:Smear Layer; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite