Root Canal Disinfection in Primary Teeth: A Comparative Assessment of Visible Light Diode Laser and Ozonated Water

Efficient disinfection of root canals in primary teeth is essential for sustained therapeutic success. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial impact of visible light, diode laser, and ozonated water on microorganisms of endodontic origin in root canals of primary teeth.

A total of 30 primary teeth from children between the ages of 4 and 6 years, who had been diagnosed with a clinical necessity for pulpectomy, participated in a randomized clinical trial. Depending on the intracanal disinfection method used, the chosen teeth were randomized to one of three experimental groups (n = 10 per group): group I received visible light disinfection, group II received diode laser disinfection (wavelength: 810 nm), and group III received ozonated water disinfection. Using sterile paper points, microbiological samples were aseptically taken from the root canals before and after the disinfection procedure. The samples were cultured and incubated on brain heart infusion (BHI) agar under anaerobic conditions to determine the total viable bacterial count. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to statistically analyze the microbial reduction between the groups. Appropriate post hoc multiple comparison tests were then used to evaluate intergroup differences.

All three disinfection methods showed statistically significant intragroup reductions in anaerobic bacterial counts (p < 0.001). The diode laser group demonstrated the greatest reduction in microbes (from 3.69 × 10⁵ to 0.64 × 10⁵ CFU/mL), followed by ozonated water (from 4.06 × 10⁵ to 1.00 × 10⁵ CFU/mL) and visible light (from 3.95 × 10⁵ to 1.18 × 10⁵ CFU/mL). Post hoc comparisons revealed diode laser to be significantly more effective than visible light (p = 0.006), while comparable to ozonated water (p = 0.095).

Diode laser demonstrated superior antimicrobial efficacy in primary root canals, with ozonated water performing comparably well. Both are viable, biocompatible alternatives to conventional chemical irrigants. Visible light, though less effective, still achieved significant microbial reduction and may serve as an adjunct in disinfection protocols. According to these results, pediatric endodontic practice should incorporate ozonated water and diode lasers for canal disinfection.

Tyagi K, Choubey S, Kapoor R, et al. Root Canal Disinfection in Primary Teeth: A Comparative Assessment of Visible Light Diode Laser and Ozonated Water. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2026;19(5):568-574.