Laser in Endodontics-A Review Article
Laser in Endodontics-A Review Article
e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 16, Issue 4 Ver. VII (April. 2017), PP 18-24
www.iosrjournals.org
Abstract: Lasers were introduced into the field of clinical dentistry with the hope of overcoming some of the
drawbacks posed by the conventional methods of dental procedures. Since its first experiment for dental
application in the 1960s, the use of laser has increased rapidly in the last couple of decades. At present, wide
varieties of procedures are carried out using laser.The purpose of this paper is to summarize laser applications
in endodontics, including their use in pulp diagnosis, dentinal hypersensitivity, pulp capping and pulpotomy,
sterilization of root canals, root canal shaping and obturation and Apicoectomy.The essential question is
whether a laser can provide equal or improved treatment over conventional care. Secondary issues include
treatment duration and cost/benefit ratio. This article reviews the role of lasers in endodontics and conservative
dentistry since the early 1970s, summarizes many research reports from the last decade, and surmises what the
future may hold for lasers in endodontics. With the potential availability of many new laser wavelengths and
modes, much interest is developing in this promising field.
Keywords: Dentine; laser diagnosis; laser therapy use; root canal treatment
I. Introduction
The word ―LASER‖ is widely used in dentistry. It stands for Light amplification by stimulated
emission of radiation. With the rapid development of laser technology, newlasers with a wide range of
characteristics are now available and being used in various fields of dentistry. Studies continue to be conducted
in order to make maximum use of properties of the existing lasers in the field of endodontics.History Of Lasers
In 1917, Einstein laid the foundation for the laser when he introduced the concept of stimulated emission; where
a photon interacts with an excited molecule or atom and causes the emission of a second photon having the
same frequency, phase, polarization and direction.
The Maser
A predecessor of the laser, called the MASER,for "Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission
of Radiation", was independently developed in 1954 at Columbia University by Charles Townes and Jim
Gordon and in Russia by Nicolay Basov and Alexandra Prokhorov.
a specific wavelength. Lasers are characteristically monochromatic, unidirectional, coherent, and emitted from a
stimulated active medium. Monochromacity means that a laser beam is made of a single wavelength of light,
and all dental lasers are found in the visible or infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Once a laser
beam is produced it will travel in one direction (unidirectional), though the divergence of the beam varies by
type of laser and the associated transmission hardware. Coherence is the property that not only is a laser a single
wavelength but all the peaks and valleys of each wave travel in unison.
The active media in dentistry can be solid state, gas, or semiconductor. Solid state lasers are a crystal
matrix host doped with the light emitting, excitable atoms; such as erbium laced yttrium, aluminium, and garnet
(Er: YAG). CO2is a popular laser where the active medium is sealed in an air tight chamber. Diode lasers have a
semiconductor that when stimulated with electricity, laser light is emitted [2] Stimulated emission is a
phenomenon that occurs within the active medium. For example, in solid state Er: YAG lasers the erbium is
stimulated by light from a flash lamp with a process known as optical pumping. As an erbium atom absorbs a
photon, its electrons are elevated to higher energy level. When the electrons return to a lower energy state, two
identical photons are emitted and these photons can further stimulate more atoms in a chain reaction, resulting in
amplification of the light produced. Mirrors surrounding the active medium called a resonator further increase
this light energy. One of the mirrors called the output coupler is less than one hundred percent reflective. Light
leaks from the output coupler and these are the photons that form the laser beam. Once the beam is created it is
carried to the target tissue by various types of beam transfer hardware. Mirrors in articulated arms and optical
fibers are common examples of this hardware[3]
Different lasers considered for endodontic applications are the near infrared laser—diode (810, 940,
980 and 1,064 nm) and Nd:YAG(1,064 nm)— and the medium infrared lasers—Erbium,Chromium:
YSGG (Er,Cr:YSGG; 2,780 nm) and Erbium:YAG (2,940 nm).
Near infrared lasers such as Nd:YAG (from 803 nm to 1,340 nm) were the first to be used for root
optical fibre. The near infrared lasers are not absorbed by hard dentinal tissues and have no ablative effect on
dentinal surfaces. The thermal effect of the radiation penetrates up to 1mm into the dentinal walls, allowing for a
decontaminating effect on deeper dentine layers.
The medium infrared lasers, such as the Erbium (2,780 nm and 2,940 nm) laser family, with
flexible,fine tips have also been used. The medium infrared lasers are well absorbed by the water content of the
dentinal walls and consequently have a superficial ablative and decontaminating effect on the root canal surface.
The far infrared laser CO2 (10,600 nm) was the first to be used in endodontics for decontamination
and apical dentine melting in retrograde surgery. It is no longer used in this field with the exception of vitalpulp
therapy (pulpotomy and pulp coagulation).
Thermal Consideration
Behrens and Gutknecht, 1993,[10]conducted in- vitro experiments on dentine slices with laser power
settings that take into account even the most extreme situations, in order to determine that no thermal damage
occurs in pulsed Nd: YAG laser or diode laser treatments. When measuring the root surface, a temperature of
38° C was obtained after a 45-second treatment duration at 15Hz/1.5W. This value lies within the
physiological area. It must be considered that in an in-vivo situation the dental tissue is more efficiently cooled
by the blood flow that surrounds the root surface.
Morphological Changes
The smear layer is completely removed and the dental tubuli are, for the most part closed through
inorganic melting if the Nd:YAG laser is applied with 15Hz/1.5W settings.[11] Similar results can be expected
if the 810 nm laser diode is used. If the Er:YAG laser is applied, the smear layer will be completely removed
and the dental tubuli remain open.
Disinfection Effect
GUTKNECHT et al[12] achieved an average of 99.92% bacterial reduction in the root canal using the
Nd:YAG laser. In 1994, Rooney et aLand Hardee et al described reductions of 99 % when using a Nd: YAG
laser in different experimental designs and bacterial combinations. Further studies examined the depth effect of
the laser in the root canal dentine. In 1997, Klinke et al were able to prove a bactericidal effect of the Nd:YAG
laser at a depth of 1,000 μm. In comparison, a rinsing solution, such as NaOCl, only achieves effective bacterial
reduction up to a depth of 100 μm.
Indications and contra-indications for laser supported endodontic treatments
[13]
Laser-supported treatments should be favored when treating patients that show one or several of the
following symptoms:
1. Teeth with a purulent pulpitis or pulp necrosis
2. Teeth, of which the crown and root pulp show gangrenous changes
3. Teeth with peri-apical lesions (peri-apical gap from 1 mm, up to granulomas with a diameter of 5 mm and
more
4. Teeth with a peri-apical abscess
Mechanism of Action-
Light beams from the optical fibre enters the tissue, is absorbed to some extent by the blood cells and
another fibre tip collects the scattered light and provides information about pulp vitality
Its advantages are non-invasive, painless diagnosis of the tooth , reproducible, gold standard for pulpal blood
flow determination .
Limitations are- takes longer than other vitality determination techniques, requires a special device.
Therefore, it is not conducted as a routine procedure in clinical practice
2.5.Laser in Analgesia
The pulsed â Nd:YAG laser is widely used as a analgesia in endodontics. Its wavelengths interfere with
the sodium pump mechanism, change cell membrane permeability, alter temporarily the endings of sensory
neurons, and block depolarization of C and A fibers of the nerves.
2.6.Root canal disinfection and irrigation-The various uses of laser in root canal treatments
are as follow
1. Access cavity preparation and root canal orifice enlargement.
2. Root canal wall preparation.
3. Sweeping of Root canal and irrigation.
4. Removal of pulp remnants and debris at the apical foramen.
5. Sterilization or disinfection of infected canals.
6. Obturation with gutta percha or resin.
7. Removal of temporary cavity sealing materials, root canal sealing materials, and fractured instruments in root
canals.
Access cavity preparation- Er,Cr:YSGG (2780nm) and Er:YAG (2940nm) can be used for access cavity
preparation, root canalshaping and cleaning.
Root canal wall preparation-Lasers such as Er:YSGG (2780nm), Er:YAG(2940nm) and Nd:YAG(1064nm)
are use 3d for root canal wall preperation15. When the laser fiber is unable to be inserted into thecanals,
reamers and files are to be used, followed by lasers. Smear layer is completely removed and dentinal tubuli
are for the most part closed if pulsed Nd:YAG laser is applied at 15 Hz / 1.5 W settings.
Sweeping of Root canal and irrigation are done in Straight, slightly curved and wide canals with
lasers.Along with lasers, 5.25% Sodium hypochlorite or14% EDTA must be used along laser
irradiation.Nd:YAG are widely used for removal of pulp remnants and debris at the apical foramen.
Removal of pulp remnants, control of hemorrhage, and stimulation of cells surrounding the root apex as
well as debridement on the surface.
Sterilization or disinfection of infected canals are done with Pulsed Nd:YAG, argon,
semiconductordiode,CO2, Er:YAG lasers. Because of laser energy and wavelength characteristic, they are
useful in killing microorganism.
In endodontics, lasers use the photo-thermal and photomechanical effects resulting from the
interaction of different wavelengths and different parameters on the target tissues.
With vertical condensation method, obturation of canals can be done with Lasers. Anic and Matsumoto
attempted to investigate whether it is possible to perform the root canal filling using sectioned gutta-percha
segments and a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. With the lasers, Removal of temporary cavity sealing materials, root
canal sealing materials, and fractured instruments in root canals became possible.15 In fine and strongly curved
canals, however, there were many cases in which laser tips perforated the canal wall.
Contraindications
a.In advanced periodontitis cases.
b. A deep crown and root fracture.
DOI: 10.9790/0853-1604071824 www.iosrjournals.org 22 | Page
Laser in Endodontics-A Review Article
IV. Conclusion
It is concluded that with the advent of Lasers in dentistry, the complex procedures have become
easier and time saving. Thus the patient care has improved.
Acknowledgements
It’s my immense pleasure to express my deep sense of gratitude and sincere thanks to my Dean Dr. S.
P. Dange , Government Dental College & Hospital Aurangabad
References
[1]. Stern RH, Sognnaes RF. Laser Effect on Dental Hard Tissues. A Preliminary Report.J South Calif Dent Assoc 1965;33:17-9
[2]. Adrian JC, Bernier JL, Sprague WG. Laser and the dental pulp. J Am Dent Assoc 1971 ;83(1):113-7.6.
[3]. Lin S, Liu Q, Peng Q, Lin Ml. The ablation threshold of Er:YAG laser and Er,Cr:YSGG laser in dental dentin. Scientific Research
and Essays 2010;5(16):2128-35.7.Jesse J, Desai S, Oshita P
[4]. Koukichi Matsumoto: Lasers in Endodontics:DCNA. 2000; Vol 44(4): 889-906.
[5]. Giovanni Olivi, Rolando Crippa, Giuseppe Iaria,Vasilios Kaitsas, Enrico DiVito & Stefano
[6]. Benedicenti. Lasers in endodontics ( Part I). Roots; 2011:1-4.
[7]. Karlovic Z, Pezelj-Ribaric S, Miletic I, Jukic S,Grgurevic J, Anic I. Erbium:YAG laser versus ultrasonic in preparation of root-end
cavities. JEndod 2005;31:821–3.
[8]. Anic I, Matsumoto K: Comparison of the sealing ability of laser softened, laterally condensed and low temperature
thermoplasticized gutta percha.J Endod .1995;21:464-469.
[9]. K Gorkhay et al: Effects of oral soft tissue produced by a diode laser in vitro. Lasers in
[10]. Surgery and medicine 1999; 25:401-406.
[11]. .Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop of Evidence Based Dentistry onLasers in Dentistry, Quintessence Publishing,
2007, ISBN 978-1- 85097-167-2. 18.
[12]. Gutknecht N, Franzen R, Lampert F. FiniteElement Study on Thermal Effects in Root Canals During Laser Treatment with a
Surface-absorbed Laser. Lasers Med Sci2002;17:137-44.
[13]. Blöschl G, Kirnbauer R, Gutknecht D.Distributed snowmelt simulations in an Alpine catchment. 1. Model evaluation on the basis of
snow cover patterns. WaterResources Research 1991;27(12):3171-9.
[14]. Gutknecht N, Moritz A, Conrads G, SievertT, Lampert F. Bactericidal effect of the Nd:YAG laser in in vitro root canals. J
ClinLaser Med Surg 1996;14:77-80.
[15]. Gutknecht N. Lasers in Endodontics. Journal of the Laser and Health Academy 2008;4:1-8.
[16]. Mathew S, Thangaraj DN. Lasers In Endodontics. JIADS 2010;1(1):31-7.
[17]. Kathari A, Ujariya M. Lasers in endodontics- A review. J Res Adv Dent 2014; 3:1:209-211.
III. Conclusion
A conclusion section must be included and should indicate clearly the advantages, limitations, and
possible applications of the paper. Although a conclusion may review the main points of the paper, do not
replicate the abstract as the conclusion. A conclusion might elaborate on the importance of the work or suggest
applications and extentions. (10)
Acknowledgements
An acknowledgement section may be presented after the conclusion, if desired.( 8)
References
This heading is not assigned a number.
A reference list MUST be included using the following information as a guide. Only cited text
references are included. Each reference is referred to in the text by a number enclosed in a square bracket (i.e.,
[3]). References must be numbered and ordered according to where they are first mentioned in the paper,
NOT alphabetically.
Examples follow:
Journal Papers:
[1]. M Ozaki, Y. Adachi, Y. Iwahori, and N. Ishii, Application of fuzzy theory to writer recognition of Chinese characters, International
Journal of Modelling and Simulation, 18(2), 1998, 112-116. (8)
[2]. Note that the journal title, volume number and issue number are set in italics.
Books:
[3]. R.E. Moore, Interval analysis (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1966). (8)
[4]. Note that the title of the book is in lower case letters and italicized. There is no comma following the title. Place of publication and
publisher are given.
Chapters in Books:
[5]. P.O. Bishop, Neurophysiology of binocular vision, in J.Houseman (Ed.), Handbook of physiology, 4 (New York: Springer-Verlag,
1970) 342-366. (8)
[6]. Note that the place of publication, publisher, and year of publication are enclosed in brackets. Editor of book is listed before book
title.
Theses:
[7]. D.S. Chan, Theory and implementation of multidimensional discrete systems for signal processing, doctoral diss., Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 1978. (8)
[8]. Note that thesis title is set in italics and the university that granted the degree is listed along with location information
Proceedings Papers:
[9]. W.J. Book, Modelling design and control of flexible manipulator arms: A tutorial review, Proc. 29th IEEE Conf. on Decision and
Control, San Francisco, CA, 1990, 500-506 (8)