Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microhardness of radicular dentin after treatment with 980-nm diode laser and different irrigant solutions.
Background data: There are few reports of the consequences of diode laser irradiation emitted at 980 nm on the mechanical properties of dentin.
Methods: Seventy-two single canal, human canines with complete root formation were randomly distributed among three groups (n=24), according to the irrigant solution used in the biomechanical preparation: distilled water; 1% NaOCl; and, 1% NaOCl + 17% EDTA. These groups subsequently were divided into three subgroups (n=8), according to the diode laser parameter: no irradiation (control); 1.5 W/100 Hz; and 3.0 W/100 Hz. Laser was applied with helicoidal movements for 20 sec. Roots were sectioned in slices and the fragment corresponding to the middle third was submitted to the microhardness test (KHN) at depths of 30, 90, 150, and 300 μm.
Results: ANOVA and Tukey tests showed that the microhardness of the groups irradiated with 1.5 W/100 Hz (49.7±11.2) and 3.0 W/100 Hz (50.6±11.9) were statistically similar to each other (p>0.05) and different (p<0.05) from the non-irradiated group (45.0±9.7). Higher microhardness values were obtained at 150 μm (49.2±11.0) and 300 μm (52.3±11.3) which were similar among themselves and different (p<0.05) only at the depth of 30 μm (44.4±10.5). No differences were found among the irrigant solutions (p>0.05).
Conclusions: The microhardness of the radicular dentin increased after irradiation with 980-nm diode laser.