Bactericidal effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on endodontic biofilm: An ex vivo study

Abstract

Aim: This ex vivo study aimed to evaluate the of Er,Cr:YSGG laser effectiveness in the decontamination of an endodontic biofilm.

Materials and methods: Seventy-three single rooted human teeth, freshly were chosen. Each tooth was exposed to four associated species in an endodontic biofilm (Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus salivarius, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia) and randomly allocated to one of the seven experimental groups. The group 1 (7 teeth) was used to finalize the reliable biofilm-forming technique. The groups 2 and 3 (15 teeth each group) were irradiated with two different Er;Cr:YSGG laser settings (0,75 W - 40 Hz and 4 W - 40 Hz, respectively). The groups 4 and 5 (15 teeth each group) were irrigated with two different solutions and laser irradiated with the same settings (1,5 W - 15 Hz). The group 6 (6 teeth) was the control group treated only with 4 ml 2,5% NaOCl irrigation during 60 s.

Results: The observations of group 2 and 3 specimens showed the ripeness of the biofilm with the presence of Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus salivarius in chains but in group 3 thermal edge effects produced by the optic fiber in the canal walls were present. The group 4 specimens observation showed an average cleaning of the root canal walls while on the canal walls of group 5 samples the apical third presented several debris and smear layer and in the centre cracks and melting dentin of the radicular wall were observed.

Conclusion: In those experimental conditions, this study, demonstrated that Er,Cr:YSGG laser has a canals decontamination ability when associated to NaOCl irrigation.

Keywords: Endodontic biofilm; Endodontic decontamination; Er,Cr:YSGG laser; Scanning Electron Microscope observations.