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Laser induced explosive vapor and cavitation resulting in effective irrigation of the root canal. Part 1: A visualization study
Author(s) -
Blanken Jan,
De Moor Roeland Jozef Gentil,
Meire Maarten,
Verdaasdonk Rudolf
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.20798
Subject(s) - root canal , cavitation , explosive material , materials science , laser , flow visualization , optical fiber , optics , visualization , fiber , bubble , biomedical engineering , composite material , mechanics , chemistry , dentistry , mechanical engineering , flow (mathematics) , medicine , physics , organic chemistry , engineering
Background and Objectives Limited information exists regarding the induction of explosive vapor and cavitation bubbles in an endodontic rinsing solution. It is also not clear whether a fiber has to be moved in the irrigation solution or can be kept stationary. No information is available on safe power settings for the use of cavitation in the root canal. This study investigates the fluid movements and the mechanism of action caused by an Er,Cr:YSGG laser in a transparent root model. Material and Methods Glass models with an artificial root canal (15 mm long, with a 0.06 taper and apical diameter of 400 µm) were used for visualization and registration with a high‐speed imaging technique (resolution in the microsecond range) of the creation of explosive vapor bubbles with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser at pulse energies of 75, 125, and 250 mJ at 20 Hz using a 200 µm fiber (Z2 Endolase). Fluid movement was investigated by means of dyes and visualization of the explosive vapor bubbles, and as a function of pulse energy and distance of the fiber tip to the apex. Results The recordings in the glass model show the creation of expanding and imploding vapor bubbles with secondary cavitation effects. Dye is flushed out of the canal and replaced by surrounding fluid. It seems not necessary to move the fiber close to the apex. Conclusion Imaging suggests that the working mechanism of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser in root canal treatment in an irrigation solution can be attributed to cavitation effects inducing high‐speed fluid motion into and out the canal. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:514–519, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.