Objectives: To investigate apicectomies performed using burs, a CO 2 laser or an Er:YAG laser and to evaluate the following aspects: morphology of apicectomized surfaces, presence of failures at the dentin/obturation material interface (marginal fit) of the apical portions of the root canals, and the proportions of chemical elements in the apicectomized surfaces. Study design: Twenty-four teeth were divided into three groups of eight and each group underwent apicectomy by one of three different ablation techniques: bur, CO 2 laser or Er:YAG laser. The morphology of the apicectomized surfaces was then analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and their chemical composition was analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Results: Surfaces produced with ablation by bur exhibited less surface irregularities and better marginal fit, while ablation with the CO 2 laser caused intense surface carbonization and failures in obturation material fit. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, taking into consideration their clinical application, ablation of tooth apices using burs proved to be the best option among those tested here.
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