Bactericidal efficacy of three parameters of Nd:YAP laser irradiation against Enterococcus faecalis compared with NaOCl irrigation.

Abstract

The success of endodontic treatment depends on the thorough removal of microorganisms from the root canal system. The search for new ways to eliminate the microorganisms is therefore justified. Nd:YAP is a laser that uses yttrium aluminum perovskite, doped with neodymium crystal, as active laser medium. We used the Nd:YAP laser in an in vitro experiment to evaluate the bactericidal effect of three parameters of Nd:YAP laser-activated irrigation on biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis in root canals. The canals of 45 extracted human single-root teeth were prepared on a #35 Mtwo instrument and contaminated with E. faecalis for 14days. Forty infected single-root teeth were then randomly divided into four groups according to the irrigation agitation protocols as follows: 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), Nd:YAP laser (180mJ) + NaOCl, Nd:YAP laser (280mJ) + NaOCl, and Nd:YAP laser (360mJ) + NaOCl. The remaining bacteria were counted immediately using the cell count method. Teeth were firstly spilt and one half examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The other half involved examination of bacterial colonization in dentinal tubules using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Nd:YAP laser (280mJ) + NaOCl and Nd:YAP laser (360mJ) + NaOCl completely removed the E. faecalis biofilms from the root canal walls and made it the cleanest among the treatment groups. Bacterial reductions in the treatment groups for dentinal tubules are presented in a descending order as follows: Nd:YAP laser (360mJ) (53.7%), Nd:YAP laser (280mJ) (51.5%) > Nd:YAP laser (180mJ) (45.3%) > 5.25% NaOCl (31.9%) > control (19.3%) (p < 0.05). Nd:YAP laser of 280mJ and 360mJ showed effective bactericidal effect in removing E. faecalis biofilm from the root canal walls and dentinal tubules.