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Clinical preconditions and treatment modality: effects on pulp surgery outcome
J Dang1, P Wilder-Smith, G M Peavy
1Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 92612, USA.
Background:
The purpose of this research was to evaluate the factors affecting the outcome of localized laser pulp surgery in the canine model.
Study Design/Materials And Methods:
Pulpal exposures 2 mm and 5 mm in diameter were prepared in eight healthy teeth in each of five dogs. The total of 40 teeth were left open to infection from the oral cavity for 3 hours or 72 hours; 2-3 mm of surface pulpal tissue were then removed using a fresh diamond bur or a CO2 laser emitting@9.3 microns, at 3.5 W average power in the Superpulse mode. Teeth were monitored clinically and radiographically by one blinded, pre-standardized clinician for 3 months.
Results:
Chi-square test and Fisher's Exact test (2-tail) results associated laser treatment with significantly better clinical and radiographic outcome (P < 0.001). Using regression analysis, duration of pulpal exposure to contamination by the oral environment was identified as primary determinant for treatment outcome within the laser-treated and control groups (P = 0.0018).
Conclusion:
Clinical preconditions significantly affect the outcome of pulp surgery treatments.