In vitro Retrieval of Glass Fiber Post Using Er:YAG Laser

Objectives: To examine the times and temperatures used to remove a glass fiber post from an endodontically-treated tooth using erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) compared to conventional endodontic ultrasonic method.
Methods:
Thirty four single-root human extracted teeth were endodontically treated using conventional gutta percha and root canal sealer. The post space was prepared to 7 mm in depth. A 11.4 mm glass fiber post was cemented using bonded composite resin cement. Specimens were randomly assigned to Er:YAG laser or ultrasonic methods for post removal. The removal time was recorded. The temperature on the external surface of the root was measured and recorded at the coronal, middle, and apical third portions during the Laser or ultrasonic applications from 1 to 10 minutes. One-tailed t-test and paired t-test (α = 0.01) analyses were used. The specimens were further examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Results: A total of 15 specimens were included for each group. Five specimens were excluded due to post fracture or laser tip damage. The average removal time was 98 seconds for Er:YAG laser compared to 538 seconds for ultrasonic groups (p < 0.001). The temperature (°C) ranges measured from 1 to 10 minutes of laser application were [24.2°,27.3°] for laser and [33.0°, 38.0°] for ultrasonic in the cervical area, [22.1°,24.6°] for laser and [31.0°,34.6°] for ultrasonic in the middle area, and [24.4°,27.7°] for laser and [30.3°,34.1°] for ultrasonic in the apical area (p < 0.001 for all measurement sites). SEM examination showed no visible damage caused by Er:YAG laser.
Conclusions:
Er:YAG laser can remove posts faster and exhibits lower temperature compared to the ultrasonic removal. Er:YAG may be a viable alternative for post removal.