[Root resection by Er:YAG laser: a scanning electron microscope study].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference of the surface of root resection by ErYAG laser, ultrasonic or high-speed handpiece with scanning electron microscope (SEM), and to evaluate the possibility of using ErYAG laser on the root resection in clinical application. METHODS: Thirty maxillary central incisors were divided into three groups (ErYAG laser group, ultrasonic group, high-speed handpiece group), and the root resection were made at root tip 3 mm with ErYAG laser, ultrasonic instrument or long needle diamond bur according to grouping. The surface of the root resection by SEM in the aspects of debris, smear layer, opened dentinal tubules, cracks and ablation characteristics were compared. RESULTS: The examination revealed that ErYAG laser group and ultrasonic group had no or little debris and smear layer and with opened dentinal tubules. High-speed handpiece group had great amount of debris and smear layer and without opened dentinal tubules. Cracks were observed in ultrasonic group and high-speed handpiece group, no in ErYAG laser group. There were ablation characteristics in ultrasonic group and high-speed handpiece group, but no in ErYAG laser group. CONCLUSION: From the morphological aspect, ErYAG laser has much more advantage than ultrasonic instrument and diamond bur for the root resection.