Efficacy of Erbium, Chromium-doped Yttrium, Scandium, Gallium and Garnet Laser-activated Irrigation Compared with Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation, Conventional Irrigation, and Photodynamic Therapy against Enterococcus faecalis.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To compare the antimicrobial effects of two different irrigation solutions activated with erbium, chromium-doped yttrium, scandium, gallium and garnet (Er,CrYSGG) laser or an ultrasonic system and a photodynamic therapy (PDT) on Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The root canals of 72 single-rooted human permanent incisors were prepared with ProTaper Universal rotary instruments and incubated with E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) for 4 weeks. Then the teeth were randomly divided into seven experimental groups with 10 specimens for canal disinfection procedures. Group I, standard needle irrigation (SNI) with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); group II, SNI with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX); group III, laser-activated irrigation (LAI) by Er,CrYSGG of NaOCl; group IV, LAI of CHX; and group V, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) of NaOCl; group VI, PUI of CHX; group VII, PDT. The remaining two teeth were used as the control group. After the disinfection procedures were completed, the root canals were filled with phosphate-buffered saline and bacterial samples were taken with sterile paper cones. The cultivation was performed on Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA) plates. The live bacteria were calculated by counting the colonies on these plaques. The statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis H test and Miller's multiple comparison technique. RESULTS: Both LAI and PUI of NaOCl and PUI of CHX were more successful than the PDT on root canal disinfection (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of the present study, the activation of NaOCl solution by Er,CrYSGG laser or an ultrasonic system can be useful in the elimination of the E. faecalis from the canal. The PUI of CHX also has similar results. Photodynamic therapy showed a lower performance compared to these methods. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The activation of the sodium hypochlorite with Er,CrYSGG laser or PUI may be useful for removal of the E. faecalis biofilm layer in the root canal.