The application of lasers in vital pulp therapy: a review of histological effects

Abstract

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is primarily intended to preserve the vitality of pulp tissues, which have been exposed for any reason. Various materials and techniques have been proposed to improve treatment outcomes, including the use of lasers. This study aimed to review the histological results of different dental lasers including low-level lasers, carbon dioxide (CO2), erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser (Er:YAG), neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) lasers, and diode lasers for VPT. This focused review included a comprehensive electronic search of Scopus, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from 2000 to 2022 by two independent investigators. Different combinations of keywords were used, and reference mining of related papers was done. The review included studies related to histologic evaluation of laser-assisted vital pulp therapy that stated the laser parameters that were used. Articles with radiographic or clinical assessments or articles lacking necessary data were excluded. Non-English articles were excluded unless their abstract was in English and encompassed the necessary data. Most studies indicated the efficacy of lasers for reduction of inflammation, acceleration of healing, and increasing the thickness of dentinal bridge. According to the evidence, lasers used in combination with pulp capping agents are beneficial to enhance the success rate of VPT.

The application of lasers in vital pulp therapy: clinical and radiographic outcomes

“…In our recently published review, we extensively explored the histological effects of lasers in vital pulp therapy [ 19 ] and this article provides a comprehensive review of the clinical and radiographic results of laser application in different types of vital pulp therapy. After description of the application of different laser types in various stages of vital pulp therapy, clinical and radiographic criteria for success and failure in primary and permanent teeth are elaborated separately and based on these criteria, the results of studies conducted with each laser type are presented.…”