Obturation of root canal system treated by Cr, Er: YSGG laser irradiation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the number of canals and isthmuses obturated after Cr, Er: YSGG laser treatment. Fifty-two canals were instrumented to a size 40 Profile 0.06 file combined with RC-Prep and sodium hypochlorite, or sterile water. The teeth were divided into 3 groups: (I) canals were flooded with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid for 3 minutes, (II) canals treated with the laser for 40 seconds, and (III) received no further treatment. Obturation was done with System B and Obtura III and AH Plus sealer. The specimens were rendered transparent and evaluated for the number of canals/isthmuses obturated. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. The means +/- standard deviations for the groups were 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (1.14 +/- 0.8), laser (2.14 +/- 0.7), and control (0.4 +/- 0.8). Under the conditions of this study, Cr, Er: YSGG treatment resulted in a statistically significant greater number of canals/isthmuses obturated (P < .001).