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Histopathological changes in dental pulp irradiated by Er:YAG laser: a preliminary report on laser pulpotomy
Yuichi Kimura1, Kazuo Yonaga, Keiko Yokoyama
1Department of Endodontics, Showa University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan. yukimura@senzoku.showa-u.ac.jp
Objective:
The effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation on the pulp tissue during a pulpotomy procedure were evaluated histopathologically.
Background Data:
The effects on pulp tissue during laser pulpotomy using Er:YAG laser irradiation are not clear.
Materials And Methods:
Sixty mesial root canals of mandibular first molars in rats were divided into four groups. In three of these groups, root canals were irradiated using an Er:YAG laser at 2 Hz and 34, 68, and 102 mJ/pulse for 15 sec. Non-irradiated canals served as controls. The effects of laser irradiation on the remaining pulp tissue and periodontal tissues were evaluated at 0 days, 2 days, and 1 week after irradiation under light microscopy.
Results:
At 1 week after treatment, no inflammation or resorption was observed in any cases in the control or 34 mJ/pulse-irradiated groups. However, moderate to severe inflammation was observed in 9 of 10 cases (90%) in the 68 and 102 mJ/pulse-irradiated groups.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that effects on pulp tissues during a pulpotomy procedure by Er:YAG laser irradiation are minimal, if appropriate parameters are selected, and this is a potential therapy for pulpotomy of human teeth.
