Efficacy of ultrasonic versus laser-activated irrigation to remove artificially placed dentin debris plugs.
BACKGROUND
The study assessed the efficacy of laser activated irrigation (LAI) with Erbium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG) and Erbium Chromium: Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) wavelengths as compared with passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI). Previously proposed irrigation times were used for LAI (4x 5 seconds) and the intermittent flush technique (3x 20 seconds).


METHODS
We used a split root model with an artificial root canal wall groove. Roots were prepared to an apical size # 40 with ProFiles 0.06 (Dentsply Maillefer, Baillaigues, Switzerland). Five groups of 20 straight canine roots were evaluated as follows: Group 1: hand irrigation for 20 s with 2.5% NaOCl (CI); Group 2: PUI performed once for 20 s with the #20 Irrisafe (Satelec Acteon group, Merignac, France) (PUI 1); Group 3: PUI for 3x 20 s with the Irrisafe (PUI 2); Group 4: LAI with the Er,Cr:YSGG laser and Z2 (200 microm) Endolase tip (Biolase, San Clemente, USA) at 75 mJ for 4x 5 s (LAI 1); Group 5: LAI with the Er:YAG laser (HoYa Versawave, Cortaboeuf, France) and a 200 mum endodontic fiber at 75 mJ for 4x 5 s (LAI 2). Images from the groove were taken before and after irrigation. The quantity of dentin debris in the groove after the experimental protocols was evaluated.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between CI and all other groups and between PUI 1 and the other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
LAI techniques using erbium lasers (Er:YAG or Er,Cr:YSGG) for 20 seconds (4x 5 seconds) are as efficient as PUI with the intermittent flush technique (3x 20 seconds).
De Moor
Roeland J G
RJ
Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontology, Dental School, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. Roeland.DeMoor@UGent.be
Meire
Maarten
M
Goharkhay
Kawe
K
Moritz
Andreas
A
Vanobbergen
Jacques
J
D003481:Cuspid; D003804:Dentin / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008437:Maxilla; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016369:Smear Layer; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods
D012388:Root Canal Irrigants