Influence of different laser-assisted retrograde cavity preparation techniques on bond strength of bioceramic-based material to root dentine

The purposes of the study were to evaluate the bond strength of bioceramic TotalFill root repair material (RRM) in retrograde cavities prepared using Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG laser and steel bur, and to analyze failure modes. The root canals of 30 single-rooted teeth were endodontically treated, their root-ends were resected using a diamond bur, and the teeth were randomly divided into three groups (N = 10) according to the retrograde cavity preparation technique: (1) Er:YAG laser, (2) Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and (3) steel bur. All retrograde cavities were filled with the TotalFill RRM which was prepared according to the manufacturers' instructions. Push-out test was performed using universal testing machine, and failure mode was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, post hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction, and Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test (p < 0.05). In the Er:YAG-, Er,Cr:YSGG-, and steel bur-prepared cavities, mean bond strengths (MPa) were 12.76, 8.44, and 6.01, respectively. The bond strength of the TotalFill RRM to dentin was significantly higher in the Er:YAG laser compared with the steel bur-prepared cavities (p = 0.004). The bond strength was not significantly different between the Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG cavities (p = 0.074) and between the Er,Cr:YSGG and bur cavities (p = 0.648). In the cavities prepared by the Er,Cr:YSGG laser and bur, the failure mode of the TotalFill RRM was predominantly mixed, then adhesive and cohesive. In the Er:YAG laser-prepared cavities, the most common failure mode was adhesive, followed by mixed type and no cohesive failure. The bond strength of the TotalFill RRM to dentin was highest in the group of retrograde cavities prepared by the Er:YAG laser.

Lasers in Apicoectomy: A Brief Review

Since the invention of laser, various applications for lasers in endodontics have been proposed, such as disinfection of the root canal system, canal shaping, pulp diagnosis, and apico-ectomy. One of the major applications of laser in endodontics is apicoectomy. The aim of this article is to review the benefits and drawbacks of laser applications in apicoectomy, including effect on apical seal, effect on dentin permeability, effect on postsurgery pain, effect on crack formation, effect on root-end morphology, effect on treatment outcome, and connective tissue response to laser-treated dentin.

Sealing ability of mineral trioxide aggregate, calcium phosphate and polymethylmethacrylate bone cements on root ends prepared using an Erbium: Yttriumaluminium garnet laser and ultrasonics evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy

Background:

Surgical endodontic therapy comprises of exposure of the involved root apex, resection of the apical end of the root, preparation of a class I cavity, and insertion of a root end filling material. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is now the gold standard among all root end filling materials. MTA is however difficult to handle, expensive and has a very slow setting reaction.

Aim:

(1) To compare the sealing ability of MTA, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement and CHITRA Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) when used as root end filling material using Rhodamine B dye evaluated under a confocal laser scanning microscope. (2) To compare the seal of root ends prepared using an ultrasonic retroprep tip and an Er: YAG laser using three different root end filling materials.

Statistical Analysis:

Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way ANOVA and a two-way ANOVA, independent samples t-test and Scheffe's post hoc test using SPSS Version 16 for Windows.

Results:

All the three materials, namely MTA, PMMA BONE CEMENT and CHITRA CPC, showed microleakage. Comparison of microleakage showed maximum peak value of 0.86 mm for MTA, 0.24 mm for PMMA bone cement and 1.37 mm for CHITRA CPC. The amount of dye penetration was found to be lesser in root ends prepared using Er: YAG laser when compared with ultrasonics, but the difference was found to be not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

PMMA bone cement is a better material as root end filling material to prevent apical microleakage. MTA still continues to be a gold standard root end filling material showing minimum microleakage. Er: YAG laser is a better alternative to ultrasonics for root end preparations.

Evaluation of two different root-end cavity preparation techniques: A scanning electron microscope study

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the dentinal walls of root-end cavities for the presence of cracks after cavity preparation using US retrotips and Er: YAG laser.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty single-rooted teeth were prepared by Protaper NiTi rotary system and obturated by lateral condensation. Three milimeters of root-end was resected. Twenty teeth were prepared with US retrotip (Group 1), 20 teeth with Er: YAG laser (Group 2), and 10 teeth without retropreparation (control group). The root-end surfaces were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Then the cracks of the resected root surfaces were evaluated on microphotographs.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was detected between US Group and Laser Group for complete, incomplete, intradentinal, and total number of cracks (P = 0.47, P = 0.80, P = 0.69, P = 0.869, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Statistical analysis revealed no significant effect of retropreparation technique on the development of apical cracks (P > 0.05).