The efficiency of root canal disinfection using a diode laser: In vitro study

Aims: The aim of this study is to verify the disinfection of diode laser, following chemo-mechanical procedures against Enterococcus fecalis. Materials and Methods: Crowns of 30 extracted premolar teeth were sectioned at the cemento- enamel junction. The canals were shaped using step-back technique to K-file #40. The teeth were randomly assigned to three groups and placed into nutrient broth containing bacterial suspension of Enterococcus fecalis. Group A received no laser radiation. Specimens of group B and C were treated with diode laser (Sirona) with energy set at 1.5 and 3 W, respectively. After laser irradiation, the teeth were placed in vials, which contained 2 mL of the nutrient broth. The vials were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Grown colonies were identified by standard methods. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis used was the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test, with comparison using the Bonferroni methods of means. Results: Higher mean CFU/mL is recorded in Group A (without laser disinfection) followed by Group B (with 1.5 W laser disinfection) and Group C (with 3 W laser disinfection), respectively. The difference in CFU/mL between the three groups is found to be statistically significant ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this research show that the 980 nm diode laser can eliminate bacteria that has immigrated into dentin, thus being able to increase the success rate in endodontic therapy

Nonsurgical endodontic treatment of type II dens invaginatus

The endodontic treatment of teeth with dens invaginatus, characterized by an infolding of enamel and dentin, extending deep into the pulp cavity near the root apex, may be complicated and challenging. The complexity of the internal anatomy may create challenges for the complete removal of diseased pulpal tissue and the subsequent sealing of the canal system. Because of the bizarre root canal anatomy and widely open apex, a combination of nonsurgical and surgical endodontic treatment or extraction is the most common choice of therapy. This article describes case reports of nonsurgical endodontic treatment of Type II dens invaginatus associated with periradicular lesion