title: [Evaluation of clinical outcomes for Er:YAG laser application in caries therapy of children].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the children's perception and response to Er:YAG laser application in cavity preparation of caries in the primary teeth and  young permanent teeth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children aged 3-15 years old who had two teeth with caries of equivalent degree were selected. One tooth was  prepared by mechanical means and the other by Er:YAG laser. Immediately following treatment by laser or mechanical means, each child was asked to  answer the questions in the questionnaire including sensitivity during treatment such as discomfort, pain or unpleasant sensations. Each child was asked to  indicate which form of preparation, laser or mechanical, they would prefer for treatment in the future. The restorations were evaluated in 3, 6 or 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty three children with an average age 8.6±3.1 years old (17 children between 3-6 years old, 29 children between 7-12 and 7 children older  than 13 years old). One hundred and twenty teeth were restored. 67% of the children considered laser preparation to be more comfortable. 21%  considered same sensitive about the two means. The laser treatment was significantly less painful than mechanical treatment (P<0.05) and 72% of the  children indicated that they preferred Er:YAG laser preparation for future caries treatment. There were no statistical significant difference in the two groups  when compare the restoration in 3, 6 and 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Er:YAG laser was considered comfortable and painless compared with mechanical  bur preparation for caries therapy in children.
authors: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School, Beijing, China. zhangsun_1@sina.com
authors: Sun
authors: S
authors: Zhang
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Chen
authors: Li-hong
authors: LH
authors: Ge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D004871:Erbium; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004871:Erbium