Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser on the Prevention of Primary and Permanent Teeth Enamel Demineralization: SEM and EDS Evaluation.

Objective: To evaluate in vitro the effect of the erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser on resistance of primary and permanent human enamel to demineralization using water cooling and fluoride coapplication as variable parameters. Methods: Enamel specimens were prepared from extracted primary and permanent teeth (n = 225 each). The specimens were separated into 15 subgroups (n = 15/group) based on laser application at three different power settings (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 W), laser application with and without water cooling, and application of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel before laser treatment. Morphological changes were assessed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the specimens' chemical contents were determined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results: In both the primary and permanent teeth, the highest Ca and P content was observed in the noncooled 0.75 W laser group (p < 0.05), irrespective of APF pretreatment (p > 0.05). The Ca and P content for the noncooled APF +0.75 W laser group was lower than that for the APF group and the noncooled 0.75 W laser group. For both dentitions, the F mass content for the APF+laser groups was significantly higher than laser-only groups (p < 0.05). Under SEM, both the primary and permanent enamel exhibited cracks, craters, and surface roughness without water cooling, consistent with increased power output. Conclusions: Er,Cr:YSGG laser application at 0.75 W without water cooling increased enamel resistance to demineralization. Compared with topical APF application, Er,Cr:YSGG laser application barely improved enamel resistance against demineralization, and coapplication did not result in a synergistic effect.

Effect of Laser-Activated Irrigation on the Push-Out Bond Strength of ProRoot Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Biodentine in Furcal Perforations.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser-activated irrigation (LAI) of NaOCl on the push-out bond strength of furcal perforations repaired with ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Biodentine. BACKGROUND DATA: Several studies investigated the adhesion of calcium silicate-based cements after exposure to endodontic irrigants, while effect of LAI on bond strength remains to be elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bur-cut furcal perforations with standard dimensions were created in 100 extracted human mandibular molars. Teeth were randomly distributed into two groups (n = 50/group) according to the repair material applied: (1) ProRoot MTA or (2) Biodentine. The specimens were further assigned into five subgroups according to the irrigation regimens used over the set materials: (a) distilled water with needle irrigation; (b) 5.25% NaOCl with needle irrigation; (c) distilled water with LAI; (d) 5.25% NaOCl with LAI; and (e) no irrigation (control). Bond strengths of the test materials were assessed by using push-out bond strength test. RESULTS: Biodentine showed significantly higher dislocation resistance than ProRoot MTA (p < 0.05). Laser activation of 5.25% NaOCl and distilled water did not significantly affect the push-out bond strength results (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Biodentine showed higher dislocation resistance than ProRoot MTA as a perforation repair material. Er,Cr:YSGG laser activation of irrigation aqueous solutions had no adverse effect on push-out bond strength of Biodentine and ProRoot MTA.