Using erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser irradiation in different energy output levels versus ultrasonic in removal of root canal filling materials in endodontic retreatment

Abstract

Objectives:The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation in different energy outputs versus ultrasonic in gutta-percha removal during the endodontic retreatment.Materials and Methods:A total of 21 extracted human lower premolars were divided into three groups (n = 7). Following the standardized preparation of the root canals with Wave One Rotary system and obturation with gutta-percha: Group I was treated with ultrasonic, Group II by Er:YAG laser with 40 mJ/Pulse, and Group III by Er:YAG laser with 50 mJ/Pulse for the removal of gutta-percha from the canals. Two extra teeth were treated by Er:YAG laser with 135 mJ/Pulse as control group. For all groups, time for gutta-percha removal was recorded. Samples were then splited into two halves and tested by scanning electron microscope and stereomicroscopic evaluation under different magnification power to observe the efficacy of each method used in the removal of gutta-percha.Results:Statistical analysis of Kruskal–Wallis suggested that there are significant difference between the groups in relation to removal time (P < 0.05) and 2 × 2 Mann–Whitney U-test among the groups revealed that there is no significant difference between 40 and 50 mJ laser outputs (P > 0.05), but ultrasonic versus 40 and/or 50 mJ laser outputs were significantly different (P < 0.05).Conclusions:Er:YAG laser beam was not so efficient when compared to ultrasonic to reach the deeper parts of the canals as it was asserted, thermal side effects and burning damages were observed on the root canal dentinal walls. Moreover, the delivery system was not flexible enough to compensate the curvature of the canal system even though we used more straight canals as the sample ones as well as more time-consuming than the ultrasonic and more clinical time, rendering it to be less efficient in the removal of the obturation material during endodontic retreatment procedures.

Contribution of XP‐Endo files to the root canal filling removal: A systematic review and meta‐analysis ofin vitrostudies

“…Several methods were used during root canal retreatment in order to obtain clean root canals (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). However, neither one technique nor the combination of techniques has been successful in cleaning root canals completely during retreatment (7,8,10,11,17,43,44,46,47).…”

Evaluation of chemical and morphological changes in radicular dentin after different final surface treatments

“…In this context, the use of the laser technology has been systematically evaluated and has become an important aid tool to the endodontic therapy (Gorduysus, Al‐Rubai, & Al‐Dagistani, ; Gorduysus et al, ; Lopes et al, ). The research has demonstrated the capability of the laser to act in the root canal system providing simultaneous alteration of wall morphology and dentin smear layer removal (Esteves‐Oliveira, de Guglielmi, Ramalho, Arana‐Chavez, & de Eduardo, ; Faria et al, ; Moura‐Netto et al, ; Sadik et al, ), microbial reduction (Borges et al, ; Cheng et al, ; Sadik et al, ; Saydjari, Kuypers, & Gutknecht, ), apical foramen sealing (Moura‐Netto et al, ) and dentin permeability alterations (Esteves‐Oliveira et al, ).…”

Apical Transportation and Centering Ability After Root Canal Filling Removal Using Reciprocating and Continuous Rotary Systems: A CBCT Study

“…5 Therefore, filling material removal in this study was performed according to the protocol of other recent studies that did not use solvents. 4,14,27 Furthermore, it is worth emphasizing that this protocol was shown to be safe, since no instrument was fractured during reinstrumentation, even without presoftening of the gutta-percha.…”