Laser use in direct pulp capping: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: The authors of this study evaluated the effects of lasers on the outcome of direct pulp capping by means of a meta-analysis.

Types of studies reviewed: The authors completed a literature search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, as well as a manual search of the reference lists of all identified articles since the introduction of lasers in endodontics in 1971 through May 30, 2016. The authors systematically evaluated the studies that met the inclusion criteria and performed a meta-analysis.

Results: The authors selected 5 studies about 4 laser systems (carbon dioxide; diode; erbium,chromium:yttrium-selenium-gallium-garnet; and erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet) from the 510 articles to be included in this meta-analysis. Using a fixed-effects model, they found no significant heterogeneity between these studies (χ² = 0.83, P = .99, I² = 0%). Their results showed that the success rate (89.9%) of the laser groups was higher than that of 67.2% of the control groups, and the difference was statistically significant (risk ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.49; P < .00001).

Conclusions and practical implications: On the basis of the limited evidence, the use of lasers effectively improved the prognosis of direct pulp capping treatment for permanent teeth.

Keywords: Laser; calcium hydroxide; caries; dental pulp capping; meta-analysis; mineral trioxide aggregate.