Effect of Two Different Lasers on Microleakage in Endodontic Therapy

Objectives: Lasers are being considered for various other tasks associated with endodontic therapy, including quick and thorough pulp removal, removal of dentin and enlargement of canal, sterilization of the canal, sealing of the root apex with laser fused enamel particles or hydroxiapatide powders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different laser irradiation on root canal preparation by means of SEM and dye leakage analysis. Methods: Forty two human teeth with straight single root canal randomly divided into three groups. All groups were instrumented with hand files to master apical point #30. Then the first group was irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl + 5% EDTA while Waterlase was carried out in the second group and Kavolase in the third group. Than ten teeth in each group were obturated using the lateral compaction technique. Following the obturation the specimens were immersed in india ink and decalcified, dehydrated and cleared to allow visualization of the leakage. Leakage into the canals was measured in millimeters with a stereomicroscope at X6. Statistical analysis between two experimental groups were made using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test. Four teeth from each group which had not been obturated were used for the evaluation of the root canal surface under SEM. Results: SEM analysis showed that ablations on dentin surfaces were characteristic in the laser samples. All of the groups showed similar apical leakage pattern. The differences between the groups were not statistically significant (p >0.05). Conclusions: Lasers can be an alternative to conventional instrumentation and irrigation in the near future. Further studies should be performed to support our study.