The Efficacy of Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium, Scandium, Gallium, Garnet laser in the removal of calcium hydroxide as intra canal medicament.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Removal of calcium hydroxide from root canal system is difficult, and its residuals left on the dentin walls reduce the penetration of root canal seal‐ ers into dentinal tubules, resulting in a possible increase of apical leakage. This study evalu‐ ated the efficiency of two different techniques including Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium, Scan‐ dium, Gallium, Garnet (Er, Cr: YSGG) laser activated irrigation and conventional method on the removal of calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2. Methods: Twenty extracted single‐rooted teeth (upper second premolar, lower first and second premolars) with straight canals were prepared using ProTaper next rotary files up to size x5. The root canals were filled with calcium hydroxide and putted inside the incuba‐ tor for 1 week in 100% humidity. The samples divided in to two groups in the first one con‐ ventional irrigation was used while in the second group (Er, Cr: YSGG) laser activation irri‐ gation was used to remove Ca(OH)2. After removel of calcium hydroxide the roots were split in to two halves and viewed under stereo microscope then surface area of remained Ca(OH)2 was evaluated by Digimizer software. The data were analyzed statistically using one‐way ANOVA, least significant differences (LSD) and post hoc test 95% confidence level (P = 0.05). Results: The results of this study showed that the Er,Cr:YSGG laser activation irrigation was more powerful in the removal of Ca(OH)2 in the apical and middle part of the root as com‐ pared to conventional irrigation (P < 0.001) but, in the coronal part of the root there was no significant difference between both groups. Conclusion: Er,Cr:YSGG laser activated irrigation is significantly better removal of Ca(OH)2 in the apical and middle part of the root than conventional method, but did not provide complete removal of Ca(OH)2.