Antibacterial efficacy of 810-nm diode laser on the biofilm formation by Enterococcus faecalis in root canals: an in vitro study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of 810-nm diode laser on the root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis biofilm-like structure by using comparable and safe parameters. The root canals of 52 extracted human single-rooted teeth were prepared, 4 teeth allocated as negative control and 48 teeth inoculated with E. faecalis for 3 weeks. The teeth were then randomly divided into the following 4 experimental groups: Group NaOCl (n = 12), 17% EDTA + 5.25% NaOCl + saline; Group DL1 (n = 12), 17% EDTA + 1 W diode laser + saline; Group DL2 (n = 12), 17% EDTA + 1.5 W diode laser + saline; Group S (n = 12), Saline. Samples were obtained from dentin chips before and after the interventions. A reduction in colony count was assessed by counting the colony-forming units. Compared to the control group, significant reductions were noted in E. faecalis colony counts in all groups (p .05). The greatest reduction in colony count (98.9%) was noted in the Group NaOCl. The difference in this respect between the Group DL2 and Group S (p .05). Our results demonstrated two different parameters of 810-nm diode laser showing the significant antibacterial effect on E. faecalis biofilm but it was not as effective as NaOCl irrigation.