title: Efficacy of Er,Cr:YSGG laser with endodontical radial firing tips on the outcome of endodontic treatment: blind randomized controlled clinical trial with six-month evaluation.
abstract: Clinical reports stating the efficacy of novel root canal disinfection protocols are an important focus in endodontic research. This blind randomized clinical trial assessed the clinical efficacy of the erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser radial firing tips (RFT) versus the concomitant use of 3 % sodium hypochlorite and interim calcium hydroxide paste in necrotic teeth with chronic apical periodontitis. We hypothesized to find similar or improved bone healing in the laser-assisted endodontic treatment. Thirty-six anterior and premolar teeth were randomly assigned. In group 1, teeth were prepared with 3 % sodium hypochlorite for irrigation and calcium hydroxide as inter-appointment dressing; in group 2, teeth were prepared with saline solution and irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser using RFT2 (140 μs, 37.5 mJ, 20 Hz) and RFT3 (140 μs, 62.5 mJ, 20 Hz) in the first and second appointment, respectively, four times each, moving at 2 mm s(-1) from apical to coronal. The primary outcome measure was changed in apical bone density at 6 months, using the periapical index (PAI) for blind radiographic evaluation. Twenty-nine patients were examined and subjected to statistical analysis, 12 in group 1 and 17 in group 2. There was one treatment failure in group 1. Both groups gave similar outcomes exhibiting statistically significant decreases in PAI scores.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. miguel.ar.martins@gmail.com
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Capelas
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gutknecht
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000379:methods; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide