An evaluation of the effects of an Nd:YAG laser on subgingival calculus, dentine and cementum

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Nd:YAG laser treatment on subgingival calculus, cementum and dentine, in vitro at different power settings and durations. The study included 2 experiments. In the 1st experiment, 32 extracted teeth with calculus were divided into 8 laser treatment groups. Each tooth was treated on 2, 3 or 4 sites. In the 2nd experiment. 3 extracted cementum covered teeth and 3 extracted root planed teeth with exposed dentine were selected. 1 surface of each tooth was subjected to 8 different laser treatments. In both experiments, all specimens were assessed using scanning electron microscopy. Micrographs were taken from each treated site at X100 and X750 magnifications. An arbitrary scale (from 0 to 3) was used to score the degree of damage caused by the laser. Generally, the laser caused greater damage on calculus than either cementum or dentine. Linear regression analysis showed that higher total energy input caused a greater mean damage score on calculus (R2= 66%, p<0.001). 3‐way analysis of variance showed that for calculus, the power setting, number of pulses per second and the duration of exposure contributed independently to the mean damage score in an additive way. Cementum specimens were not affected by treatment 1 (50 mJ. 10 pps, 1 s). treatment 2 (50 mJ, 10 pps, 5 s), and treatment 5 (50 mJ, 20 pps, 1 s). Dentine specimens were not affected by treatment 1 (50 mJ, 10 pps, 1 s). The results also showed that there was variability in susceptibility of different teeth and different parts of each tooth which was true for calculus, cementum and dentine.

Lasers and soft tissue: periodontal therapy

“…The American Academy of Periodontology, in its position statement on lasers in ENAP, 15 states 'The Academy is not aware of any published data that indicates that the ENAP laser procedure is any more effective for these purposes than traditional scaling and planing'. 12,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22] This is sharply contrasted by reports by Gregg and McCarthy, reported in later journals. [23][24][25] In 2004 in a study presented by Evans 26 to review the new attachment procedure on a sample of six cases, evidence was given to show new cementum and bone growth, including periodontal ligament.…”

Detection, removal and prevention of calculus: Literature Review

“…However, the laser ablates the hard tissues as it removes calculus, which has hindered its use in this capacity. Studies have also shown that calculus removal by Nd:YAG laser is insufficient as compared to that achieved by hand instrumentation (Radvar et al, 1995). The Er:YAG laser has undergone extensive study since its introduction by Zharikov in 1974 (Tseng and Liew, 1990).…”

Clinical efficacy of semiconductor laser application as an adjunct to conventional scaling and root planing

“…Laser applications in the field of periodontology have been of enormous scientific interest throughout the last decade and a variety of laser systems have been investigated in numerous in vitro [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] and in vivo studies [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43]. In the treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases, lasers may contribute to the bacterial reduction in periodontal pockets as well as to the removal of calculus and granulation tissue and can be used for contouring hyperplastic gingiva.…”