Conclusion
Diode laser with a power output of 1.5 W, is effective in reduction of E. faecalis bacterial count without damaging periodontal structures.
Methods
A total of 125 single rooted primary teeth were selected. After traditional canal cleaning, they were divided in 2 groups. Sixty-five specimens after culturing of Enterococcus faecalis into the canals, were divided in 3 groups: (1) traditional canal cleaning with 0.5% NaOCl irrigation, (2) method of group 1+ 1.5 W diode laser (980 nm, pulse), (3) without treatment (5 specimens). Then the specimens were cultured and after colony counting under light microscope, were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. For 60 specimens, temperature rise of apical and cervical parts of the external root surface were measured using 2 thermocouple type K, when radiating a 1.5 W diode laser into the canal.
Results
In the first experiment, the diode laser group showed tmost reduction in bacterial count. And in the second experiment, the mean temperature rise of external root surface was less than the threshold of periodontal ligament (PDL) damage.