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The possibility of dowel removal by pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation
Masaaki Takashina1, Arata Ebihara, Mitsuhiro Sunakawa
1Pulp Biology and Endodontics, Department of Restorative Sciences, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 5-45, Yushima 1-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan. hickory@sj8.so-net.ne.jp
Background And Objectives:
Nd:YAG laser is one of the popularly used laser, in dentistry for treatment and technologic processing. Removal of dowel from root canal is very troublesome at endodontic retreatment. This study aimed to examine the possibility and efficiency of dowel removal from the root canal using the Nd:YAG laser in vitro.
Study Design/Materials And Methods:
Irradiation time and energies required for complete removal of the dowel set in the root canal using the laser were measured. The dowel ablation was observed by contact microradiographs (CMRs). The surface of the root canal after lasing was observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Results:
A significant difference existed in irradiation times and energies to remove dowels among various combinations of metal and cement (P < 0.05). The CMRs showed that both dowel and dentin were ablated, and the SEM observation demonstrated that root canal surface was melted.
Conclusions:
The Nd:YAG laser irradiation could remove set dowels from the root canal.