Evaluation of antifungal efficacy of erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser against Candida albicans.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the ability of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation at different energy settings to eliminate Candida albicans, either with or without 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) treatment.


METHODS
In total, 90 extracted human single-rooted teeth were shaped by using a crown-down technique with HERO Shaper rotary instruments and irrigated with 1 mL of 2.5% NaOCl between each instrument. The specimens were autoclaved and incubated with a suspension of C. albicans (ATCC 90028). Then the specimens were divided into six treatment groups (n = 15 per group): group 1, NaOCl + 1-W laser; group 2, 1-W laser; group 3, NaOCl + 0.75-W laser; group 4, 0.75-W laser, group 5, NaOCl; and group 6, no treatment. Aliquots of the experimental teeth were transferred onto Sabouraud's dextrose agar plates with paper points, and colony-forming units (CFUs) were counted as a measure of antifungal activity. One root from each group, which was not submitted to the sampling procedure, was fixed in glutaraldehyde, split into two halves, and evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Dunnett t test. Significance was set at alpha = 0.05.


RESULTS
All the treatment groups resulted in a significant reduction of C. albicans, but no sterilization, and all the groups were significantly different from each other (p < 0.0001). Group 1 (NaOCl and 1-W laser combination) exhibited the greatest reduction, whereas group 5 (NaOCl) resulted in a minimal reduction in CFUs of C. albicans. The SEM observations were in accordance with the microbiologic analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The 5.25% NaOCl and 1-W laser treatment combination may be a valuable cleaning tool for root canals infected with C. albicans.
Onay
Emel Olga
EO
Department of Endodontics, Baskent University, School of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkey. eonay@baskent.edu.tr
Alikaya
Ceren
C
Seker
Esra
E
D002176:Candida albicans / Q000528:radiation effects*; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013234:Stem Cells
D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite