Diode Laser Irradiation for Cavity Decontamination: A Pilot In Vitro Study on Antimicrobial Efficacy

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Biomedical Engineering
• Microbiology

Background:

• Dental caries remain a significant global health issue.
• Effective decontamination of cavities is crucial for successful restorative procedures.
• Antimicrobial agents are essential for managing bacterial load in carious lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of a 980 nm diode laser for dental cavity decontamination.
• To compare the laser's effect against 0.2% chlorhexidine and an untreated control.
• To explore the potential of laser irradiation as an adjunctive treatment in restorative dentistry.

Main Methods:

• Forty-seven extracted human molars with Class I preparations were used.
• Teeth were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans.
• Groups included no treatment, 0.2% chlorhexidine (30s), and 980 nm diode laser irradiation (30s).
• Bacterial growth was quantified as CFU/mL after incubation.

Main Results:

• Both chlorhexidine and the 980 nm diode laser significantly reduced bacterial growth compared to the control (p < 0.001).
• Chlorhexidine completely inhibited detectable growth.
• The laser showed minimal residual contamination, with no statistically significant difference compared to chlorhexidine (p = 0.253).

Conclusions:

• 980 nm diode laser irradiation substantially reduces Streptococcus mutans levels in contaminated cavities.
• The laser presents advantages such as no chemical residues and no contribution to bacterial resistance.
• Laser irradiation may serve as a valuable adjunctive tool in restorative procedures, especially when minimizing chemical agents is desired.