3784
document
A laser-powered hydrokinetic system for caries removal and cavity preparation . BACKGROUND Laser systems have been developed for the cutting of dental hard tissues . The erbium , chromium : yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet , or Er , Cr : YSGG , laser system used in conjunction with an air-water spray has been shown to be efficacious in vitro for cavity preparation . METHODS The authors randomly selected subjects for cavity preparation with conventional air turbine/bur dental surgery or an Er , Cr : YSGG laser-powered system using a split-mouth design . They prepared Class I , III and V cavities , placed resin restorations and evaluated subjects on the day of the procedure and 30 days and six months postoperatively for pulp vitality , recurrent caries , pain and discomfort , and restoration retention . Sixty-seven subjects completed the study . RESULTS There were no statistical differences between the two treatment groups for the parameters measured with one exception ; there was a statistically significant decrease in discomfort levels for the laser system at the time of cavity preparation for subjects who declined to receive local anesthetic . CONCLUSIONS The Er , Cr : YSGG laser system is effective for preparation of Class I , III and V cavities and resin restorations are retained by lased tooth surfaces . CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Hard-tissue cutting lasers are being introduced for use in operative dentistry . In this study , an Er , Cr : YSGG laser has been shown to be effective for cavity preparation and restoration replacement .
3785
Intervention_Surgical
Laser systems
3786
Intervention_Surgical
Er , Cr : YSGG , laser system
3787
Intervention_Surgical
conventional air turbine/bur dental surgery
3788
Intervention_Surgical
Er , Cr : YSGG laser-powered system
3789
Intervention_Physical
resin restorations
3790
Intervention_Surgical
Er , Cr : YSGG laser system
3791
Intervention_Surgical
Er , Cr : YSGG laser
3792
Outcome_Other
pulp vitality
3793
Outcome_Other
recurrent caries
3794
Outcome_Pain
pain and discomfort
3795
Outcome_Other
restoration retention
3796
Outcome_Pain
discomfort levels for the laser system
3797
Participant_Condition
randomly selected subjects
3798
Participant_Condition
cavity preparation
3799
Participant_Sample-size
Sixty-seven