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Removal of gutta‐percha from root canals using an Nd:YAG laser
Author(s) -
Vidučić D.,
Jukić S.,
Karlović Z.,
Božić Ž.,
Miletić I.,
Anić I.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2003.00710.x
Subject(s) - gutta percha , root canal , dentistry , materials science , nd:yag laser , laser , solvent , nuclear chemistry , chemistry , medicine , optics , physics , organic chemistry
Aim To examine the use of an Nd:YAG laser in removing gutta‐percha fillings from root canals when used in conjunction with eucalyptol, dimethylformamide (DMF) or no solvent. Methodology Root‐canal fillings (sealer and gutta‐percha) were removed with laser irradiation of 20 Hz/1.5 W from 30 roots randomly divided in three groups. In group 1, the solvent was eucalyptol; in group 2, the solvent was DMF; and in group 3, no solvent was used. Laser irradiation was performed until the temperature measured on the root surface increased by 4 °C over room temperature. The treatment was deemed complete when the apical foramen was reached with the optical fibre and a reamer. The samples were split longitudinally, and the area of remaining gutta‐percha on the root‐canal walls was determined with the aid of a computer program. The total number of laser pulses to achieve length and the highest temperature recorded was determined for each tooth. The results were statistically analysed using Student's t ‐test ( P < 0.05) for independent samples. Results The average temperature increase in group 1 was 9.17 ± 0.56 °C; in group 2, 9.56 ± 0.28 °C; and in group 3, 8.29 ± 0.41 °C. The shortest time to achieve length was in group 3 (6.4 ± 0.49 min), then in group 1 (6.7 ± 0.85 min) and group 2 (7.05 ± 0.79 min). The area of remaining gutta‐percha was the largest in group 2 (6.13 ± 5.76%), whilst the smallest was for group 3 (4.69 ± 4.03%), but the difference was not statistically significant. The number of pulses was not statistically significant between the groups. Conclusions Use of an Nd:YAG laser alone is capable of softening gutta‐percha. The addition of solvents did not improve the retreatment, either in terms of the time required for the procedure or in terms of the area of remaining gutta‐percha on root‐canal walls.