Ultrastructural analysis of radicular dentine surface submitted to CO 2 laser at different parameters

Background : There are no reported studies comparing different parameter settings of the CO 2 laser and irradiation direction considering their effect on the morphology of radicular dentine surface. Purpose : To evaluate the alterations of radicular dentine (cervical, middle, and apical thirds) irradiated with CO 2 laser at different potencies and irradiation directions. Study Design : Roots of 35 canines were prepared and randomly distributed according to the laser potency: GI: no laser treatment (control) ( n = 5); GII, 2 W ( n = 10); GIII: 4 W ( n = 10); GIV: 6 W ( n = 10). Each group (excepting GI) was divided in two subgroups according to the irradiation distance ( n = 5): (A) parallel and (B) perpendicular to the root canal walls. The roots were splited longitudinally and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy in a qualiquatitative way. The scores were submitted to Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's tests. Results : No significant statistical differences were observed among root canal thirds ( P > 0.05). The specimens irradiated with 2 W were statistically different ( P < 0.05) from those irradiated with 4 and 6 W, which were statistically similar between themselves ( P > 0.05). With 2, 4, and 6 W at in parallel irradiation and 2 W in perpendicular direction, the surface showed a fissured aspect. With 4 W in perpendicular direction and 6 W in parallel and perpendicular direction, surface was modified by laser action and exhibited fused areas. Conclusions : The intensity of the effects is dependent on the laser‐irradiation dosimetries. Alterations were more intense when higher parameters were used. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.