Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of 5% Sodium Fluoride Varnish and Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and their Combined Application on Dentin Hypersensitivity Treatment

INTRODUCTION: Dentin hypersensitivity is one of the most common complications that patients suffer from after periodontal therapies. So far many investigators have used different types of fluoride and laser for treatment of this complication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 5% sodium fluoride varnish and (Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet) Nd:YAG laser and their combined application on dentin hypersensitivity treatment.METHODS: The study is a prospective interventional clinical trial. We selected a group of 9 patients with a total of 60 hypersensitive teeth. Each patient had at least 4 hypersensitive teeth. These 4 teeth were randomly placed in 4 different groups. Group1 didn’t receive any treatment. Group2 was treated with 5% sodium fluoride varnish (A Durashield Company product). Group3 was irradiated with Nd: YAG laser (1w, 20Hz, 120s). Group4 was treated by 5% sodium fluoride varnish and Nd: YAG laser combined (same parameters as group3). The assessment of the patients’ pain was done with cold air blast test (CAB) and visual analyzing scale (VAS) after stimulation using a probe and cold air. Patients’ pain was assessed before and just after treatment, and also 2 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks after treatment. For the assessment of pulp vitality we used the electric pulp test (EPT) at each session. SPSS 11.5 was used to process the results obtained. For the CAB and VAS changes in different groups, two-way repeated-measures ANOVA as well as Post-Hoc-Tukey tests were used. For the comparison of the different treatment groups at each session, one-way ANOVA, Post-Hoc-Tukey and or Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used.RESULTS: VAS and CAB scores didn’t show any significant difference between different groups before treatment. Analysis of results obtained with two-way ANOVA test for repeated measures showed significant statistical differences for CAB and VAS scores in all groups between before and after treatment except for CAB score in control group. In the comparison of the fluoride varnish group and laser group alone with fluoride varnish-laser combined group using VAS and CAB scores, we found a significant difference. But we didn’t find any significant difference for the comparison between the varnish fluoride group and the laser group using the same score.CONCLUSION: The use of 5% sodium fluoride varnish and laser for treatment of dentin hypersensitivity is accompanied by a placebo effect. Although it appears that, if we omit the placebo effect, we had an improvement in all 3 treatment groups. But this improvement was more obvious for the treatment group4 (fluoride –laser) compared to other groups

Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser Root Conditioning on the Success of Root Coverage with Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft: A Randomized Clinical Trial with a 6-Month Follow-Up

Objectives: Finding predictable approaches for root surface biomodification is an important challenge in the treatment of gingival recession. This study sought to assess the root coverage percentage by subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) following root surface conditioning with erbium, chromium: yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser. Materials and Methods: In this split-mouth, randomized clinical trial, 30 teeth with Miller’s Class I and II gingival recession were treated with SCTG (the Langer and Langer technique) with (case group) or without (control group) root surface conditioning with Er,Cr:YSGG laser (wavelength=2780 nm, power=0.75 W, H mode, repetition rate=20 Hz). Recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), clinical attachment level (CAL), and probing depth (PD) were assessed at the baseline (one week before surgery) and at 2 and 6 months postoperatively. The amount of root coverage was quantified in the two groups. Data were analyzed using Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: No significant difference was noted between the case and control groups in any parameter (P>0.05). Significant improvement occurred in all the measured parameters in the two groups after surgery (P<0.05). The mean root coverage at the end of the study period was 87% and 80% in the case and control groups, respectively (P=0.244), and complete root coverage was achieved in 66% and 60% of the samples in the case and control groups, respectively. Conclusions: Root surface conditioning by Er,Cr:YSGG laser improved the mean root coverage and the percentage of complete root coverage. However, these changes were not statistically significant

The comparison of two professional prophylaxis systems in plaque removal and debonding of orthodontic brackets

Introduction: During orthodontic treatment, patients are expected to undergo consistent periodic prophylaxis as a result of complexities in oral hygiene. The aim of this study was to investigate, analyze, and compare the effectiveness of two professional prophylaxis systems of rubber cup polishing (RCP) and air-powder polishing (APP) in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment based on different levels of plaque and pigment on teeth and the extent of attachment of brackets after prophylaxis. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients were selected for this clinical trial study. A couple of months after the orthodontic treatment, the patients were placed on professional prophylaxis in terms of the plaque index. Randomized cross-arch prophylaxis (right maxilla with left mandible), RCP (left maxilla with right mandible), and APP were carried out on the patients. The main indexes in the study (number of plaque removal and debonding), the work time duration per second, and convenience of patients using visual analog scale in each of the methods were evaluated as minor factors. Data were recorded in a special checklist. Results: The mean of the plaque index and the time spent on RCP were observed to be higher than APP. The average satisfaction rate of patients with RCP was higher than APP. The debonding of the bracket and the tooth was not observed in any of the methods. Conclusion: APP is more efficient than RCP for performing professional prophylaxis of orthodontic patients

Antibacterial Effects of Erbium Chromium Laser along with/without Silver Nanoparticles in Root Canals Infected by Enterococcus faecalis

This study investigates the antibacterial effects of erbium chromium laser at 2780 nm, silver nanoparticles, and erbium chromium along with silver nanoparticles on Enterococcus faecalis in comparison with sodium hypochlorite. In the present study, 90 extracted human single-rooted teeth were selected and standardized to a length of 15 mm. The canals were prepared by V-taper Gold rotary files and then incubated with E. faecalis for 21 days. The samples were divided into four experimental groups including hypochlorite sodium, silver nanoparticle, erbium chromium laser, and erbium chromium laser along with silver nanoparticle groups. Results showed that there was a significant reduction in colony count for all groups after interventions. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the colony count for sodium hypochlorite group in comparison with another groups, and this group showed the highest reduction of colony count. There was a significant difference between silver nanoparticles and erbium chromium laser groups in colony count. According to the results, the silver nanoparticles offered strong antibacterial effects on E. faecalis and therefore can decrease bacterial colonies, while the use of the laser, despite the reduction of the bacterial colony, could not be sufficiently used for disinfection of root canal system

Antibacterial Effects of a 940 nm Diode Laser With/ Without Silver Nanoparticles Against Enterococcus faecalis: Antibacterial Effects of Diode Laser and Silver Nanoparticles

Introduction: The final goal of root canal therapy is to remove most bacteria from the root canal. This study aimed at comparing the antibacterial effects of a diode laser with a wavelength of 940nm and silver nanoparticles and the synergic effects of both techniques on Enterococcus faecalis.Methods: Ninety single-rooted human teeth were decoronated and prepared with rotary files. The samples were irrigated with sodium hypochlorite and EDTA17%. Then they were autoclaved and contaminated with E. faecalis suspension (1.5 × 108 CFU/mL) for 21 days. The samples were fixed in a microtube and were randomly divided into 4 experimental (n=20) groups and a negative control group (n=10) as follows: Group 1: hypochlorite sodium 5%, Group 2: silver nanoparticle, Group 3: diode laser, and Group 4: diode laser and silver nanoparticle. The samples were obtained from dentin chips before and after the intervention. The data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test. Furthermore, alterations in bacterial colonies were entered using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test (α=0.05).Results: There was a significant decrease in colony counts for all groups after interventions (P value&lt;0.05). Also, all groups showed more reductions in colony counts compared with the negative control group (P-value &lt;0.004). There was a significant reduction for group 1 in comparison with other groups (P-value &lt;0.001) and this group had an extreme decrease of colony counts (RCC=100%). There was an important differential between silver nanoparticles and diode laser groups in bacterial counts (P value&lt;0.001) and silver nanoparticles (RCC=83.15%) had more efficiency than the diode laser (RCC=41/33%). RCC of group 4 was 68/52%.Conclusion: Followed by sodium hypochlorite 5%, silver nanoparticles were the most effective antibacterial substances. The 940 nm laser diode had less antibacterial effect compared to its use with silver nanoparticles. DOI:10.34172/jlms.2021.7

Comparison of the Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser and Halita Mouthwash on Oral Malodor in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial: Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser and Halita mouthwash on oral malodor

Introduction: Periodontal disease and tongue coatings are among the major factors associated with oral malodor. The present study, comparatively evaluated the effects of the Er,Cr:YSGG laser and Halita mouthwash as adjunctive treatments to nonsurgical periodontal debridement on oral malodor reduction in chronic periodontitis patients.Methods: Sixty patients with stage II and III chronic periodontitis and bad breath. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=30). After conventional scaling and root planing, patients in group 1 underwent Er,Cr:YSGG laser (Waterlase; Biolase, San Clemente, CA, USA) irradiation of the internal surface of the pockets ( 1.5 W, 30 Hz, 20% A, 40% W) and the dorsum of the tongue (1 W, 30 Hz, 20%A, 40% W) immediately after SRP and on the third and seventh days. Group 2 patients were asked to use Halita mouthwash twice daily for one week. Baseline, 1 and 3-month post-treatment measurements of plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP) and organoleptic assessment of Halitosis severity were performed.Results: Significant improvement in all parameters was noted in both groups after 1 and 3 months, compared with baseline (P&lt;0.05). The two groups had significant reductions which occurred in PPD, CAL, and BOP levels and the organoleptic score in 1 and 3 months after the intervention (P&lt;0.05).Conclusion: Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation and Halita mouthwash as adjuncts to non-surgical periodontal therapy are both effective in the treatment of oral malodor and improvement of periodontal parameters. DOI:10.34172/jlms.2021.2