Effects of Treatment Combining 9300 nm Carbon Dioxide Lasers and Fluoride on Prevention of Enamel Caries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the literatures on the effect of treatment combining 9300 nm carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers and fluoride on prevention of enamel caries. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The keywords were ((9300 nm) OR (9.3 µm) OR (carbon dioxide laser) OR (carbon dioxide lasers) OR (CO2 laser) OR (CO2 lasers)) AND ((fluoride) OR (fluorides)) AND ((dental caries) OR (caries) OR (remineralization) OR (remineralization) OR (demineralization) OR (demineralization)). Meta-analysis was performed to compare the change in mineral content by laser irradiation and fluoride treatment (F + L) with that of fluoride treatment (F) and laser treatment (L). The search identified 946 potential publications and five laboratory studies using a chemical model for cariogenic challenge and determining mineral loss of the enamel were included in this review. Meta-analysis comparing F + L with L on enamel showed a standard mean difference of −1.58 (CI: −2.13, −1.03). Meta-analysis comparing F + L with F on enamel showed a standard mean difference of −1.84 (CI: −2.30, −1.39), with low heterogeneity (I2 = 49%, p = 0.04). In conclusion, F + L was better than L and F in preventing enamel demineralization.

Effect of Er:YAG Laser Irradiation on Preventing Enamel Caries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…For the included in vitro studies, the bias risk assessment was based on and adapted from the judgment model of in vitro trial bias risk assessment proposed in previous systematic reviews. 19 The following 6 items are reviewed in the article: randomisation of samples, quality check of samples, sample-size calculation, details of laser parameters used, blinding of operator, and operator training. If the research met the criteria, the paper received a “Yes”; if no relevant information could be found, the paper was marked with a “No.” The risk of bias in the included trials was independently conducted by 2 authors.…”

Effectiveness of CO2 laser conjugation with topical fluoride for caries prevention through improved enamel microhardness

“…Al-Maliky et al [1], Kasraei et al [3], Luk et al [4], Oliveira et al [18], and Xue et al [19] found that the use of a laser in combination with topical fluoride could have an additional effect on preventing enamel demineralization. Moreover, Kasraei et al [3] found that the order of administration of laser irradiation and topical fluoride can also affect the effectiveness of caries prevention, namely the use of CPP-ACFP followed by CO 2 laser irradiation can significantly increase the surface hardness of the enamel, and prove to be more effective than using the method and material separately.…”