Temperature variation during apicectomy with Er:YAG laser.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the generated temperature of the Er:YAG laser, with three different pulse durations for apicectomy, compared with tungsten bur and surgical saw.


BACKGROUND
Apicectomy is an endodontic surgery performed to remove the root apex and curette adjacent periapical tissue because of lesions of the apical area that are not healing properly.


METHODS
Sixty single-rooted extracted human teeth were resected by three cutting methods: tungsten bur, surgical saw, and Er:YAG laser irradiation with three different pulse durations; pulse duration 50 μs, pulse duration 100 μs, and pulse duration 300 μs. Teflon-insulated, type K thermocouples were used to measure temperature changes during the apicectomy process. Data were analyzed using the general linear models procedure of the SPSS statistical software program.


RESULTS
Although there was no statistically significant difference for the mean values of temperature changes at 1 mm away to the cutting site of teeth, there was statistically significant difference among groups for the mean values of temperature changes at 3 mm away to the cutting site of teeth. Additionally, there was statistically significant difference among groups for the total time required for apicectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
The laser irradiation with pulse duration 50 μs appears to have the lowest temperature rise and the shortest time required for apicectomy of the three pulse durations. However, Er:YAG laser for apicectomy in all pulse durations could be used safely for resection in endodontics in the presence of sufficient water.
Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Endodontics, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Samsun, Turkey. bodrumlu@omu.edu.tr
Emre
E
Bodrumlu
Ilker
I
Keskiner
Mahmut
M
Sumer
A Pinar
AP
Sumer
N Tuba
NT
Telcıoglu
D001047:Apicoectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003762:Dental Instruments; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D013696:Temperature; D014414:Tungsten
D014414:Tungsten