[The CO2 laser and endodontic surgery: an epicritical evaluation]

The authors analyse the use of laser CO2 in endodontic surgery. They describe the laser biological effects on teeth, comprehending immediate structural changes (coagulation, carbonization, volatilization, fusion of dental tissue), and side effects (sterilization, modification of biomechanical properties and biostimulation). A surgical technique joining traditional aspects and laser radiation, restoring the apical shape to the anatomical origin is described. The employment of the laser in a defocalized way allows the sterilization of the apical region even in zones normally not reachable by the usual instruments. These devices are connected with laser irradiation and could improve the clinical results either improving bone restoration on raising dental tissue resistance to acidity. The authors emphasize that, whereas the clinical follow-up is in fact similar to the results obtained in a previous traditionally treated control group an accurate surgical technique will be the real important aspect to reach the recovery and the laser irradiation can help in it.