Antibacterial Effect of Er:YAG Laser Irradiation Applied by a New Side-Firing Spiral Tip on Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm in the Tooth Root Canal—An Ex Vivo Study

Abstract

This study evaluates the antibacterial and anti-biofilm effect of erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatment on a tooth root model infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Background: New treatment options are required to overcome endodontic infection in periapical tissue. Studies using Er:YAG during endodontic treatment yielded promising results regarding anti-biofilm/antimicrobial effects. Methods: The root canals of 80 teeth were incubated with E. faecalis for 4 weeks, allowing biofilm formation in the root canals, then divided into one control group and seven treatment groups that were exposed to Er:YAG laser using a side-firing spiral Endo tip, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 17% EDTA solutions alone or combined. The number of bacteria in each sample was determined by counting the number of colony-forming units (CFU) and was statistically compared. Results: Er:YAG laser, NaOCl and EDTA treatments alone caused a 76.0 ± 5.7%, 98.0 ± 0.6% and 69.0 ± 9.1% reduction, respectively, in CFU. Combining the laser treatment with NaOCl, EDTA or both, caused a further reduction in the bacterial load by 99.77 ± 0.14%, 93.4 ± 1.6% and 99.95 ± 0.04%, respectively. Conclusions: Er:YAG laser treatment showed significant antibacterial effect on the experimental groups, while combination with NaOCl and EDTA provided the most efficient conditions for achieving antibacterial effect against E. faecalis, in the tooth root model.

Synergistic Antimicrobial Effect of Photodynamic Inactivation and SWEEPS in Combined Treatment against Enterococcus faecalis in a Root Canal Biofilm Model: An In Vitro Study

“…The apex of each specimen was sealed using glass ionomer cement (XtraCemS, Medicept, Harrow, UK). To remove the smear layer, root canals were rinsed with 17% EDTA, each for 60 s [33,34]. Final irrigation of all samples was performed with normal saline, after which the canals were dried using paper cone, size #35.…”

Studying the viability and growth kinetics of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis V583 following femtosecond laser irradiation (420–465 nm)

“…the tiny channels within the tooth's structure known as dentinal tubules [44,45]. To treat or prevent endodontic lesions, standard endodontic therapy focuses on lowering the microbial load within the root canal system.…”

“…E. faecalis , a type of Gram-positive bacteria commonly found in dentistry, is highly resilient, and is blamed for the failure of 67% of cases of root canal treatment, because these bacteria can withstand endodontic procedures and infiltrate the tiny channels within the tooth's structure known as dentinal tubules [ 44 , 45 ]. To treat or prevent endodontic lesions, standard endodontic therapy focuses on lowering the microbial load within the root canal system.…”

Evaluation of pH and Optical Properties of Dual Rinse HEDP Irrigating Solution

“…The effect of LAI is based on cavitation, a physical phenomenon that induces the formation and implosion of vapor bubbles at the fiber tip, causing very rapid fluid movement in the canal [25,26]. LAI has been shown to have a greater efficacy in the removal of canal debris and greater antibacterial effect than other activation techniques [44][45][46]. For LAI to be effective, the high absorption of laser energy into the irrigating liquid is necessary.…”

“…Meire et al [31] reported high absorption coefficients in the infrared spectrum, especially at 2940 nm, for DW, NaOCl, EDTA, CA, and CHX. Numerous studies have reported the superior antimicrobial and cleaning effects of erbium lasers in LAI with NaOCl and EDTA [46,72,73]. However, there are a limited number of studies on HEDP + NaOCl in LAI with erbium lasers showing bactericidal [69] and sealer-removal effects [15] with promising results.…”