THE MICROBIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF DEEP CARIOUS LESIONS AFTER STEP-WISE EXCAVATION AND DIODE LASER CAVITY DISINFECTION (A SIX MONTHS RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL)

Abstract

Aim: To assess the antimicrobial effect of diode laser in deep carious lesions after step wise excavation of the tooth using bacteriological assessment method. Methodology: Thirty permanent molar in fifteen participants with deep occlusal carious lesions were randomly assigned into two groups (15 teeth each) group 1: Ca2OH stepwise excavation, group 2: laser disinfection. After cavity preparation, dentin samples were collected at baseline, after immediate disinfection with diode laser device and after six months follow up. Another dentin samples were collected from both Ca2 OH stepwise excavation and laser disinfection groups. These samples were subjected to microbiological evaluation, Streptococcus mutans on mitis salivarius (MS) agar, and Lactobacilli (LB) on Lactobacillus MRS Agar. Results: The results showed that diode laser had a significant difference from Ca2OH stepwise excavation group as it had a significant reduction on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus counts in the laser disinfection group. Conclusions: The antibacterial effect of diode laser in the deep occlusal cavities was significantly different from Ca2OH excavation group. Diode laser disinfection method demonstrated successful clinical measurements when accompanied with step wise technique.