title: Bactericidal effect of the 908 nm diode laser on Enterococcus faecalis in infected root canals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the bactericidal effect of 908 nm diode laser in conjunction with various irrigation regimes in disinfection of apical third of root dentin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty prepared teeth with single canals were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis. The specimens were divided into 6 groups (n = 10): Group 1 and 3 and 5 were subjected to chemo-mechanical preparation using 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 17% Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); 1.3% NaOCl, MTAD (mixture of doxycycline, citric acid and a detergent (Tween 80); and, 8.5% saline, respectively followed by 908 nm diode laser irradiation; Group 2 and 4, followed the same procedure as Group1 and 3, however without laser irradiation; and, Group 6, rinsed with saline solution (control). Dentin shavings from apical third were analyzed for the presence of E. faecalis using culture method and Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-way Analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences between the laser irradiated groups, non irradiated groups and the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  908 nm diode used in conjunction with conventional chemomechanical techniques demonstrated a significant elimination of E. faecalis in the apical third of root dentin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, India.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Preethee
authors.forename: Deivanayagam
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kandaswamy
authors.forename: Ganesh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arathi
authors.forename: Rosaline
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hannah