Evaluation of two laser systems for intracanal irradiation

The aim of this study was to determine safe parameters for intracanal laser irradiation. Single rooted extracted teeth were irradiated with the pulsed Er:YAG laser (2.94 μm) and Nd:YAG (1.06 μm) laser. The teeth with remaining root thickness ≥ 1mm on the apical portion were selected and divided in eight groups according to the laser parameters: output energy of 40-100 mJ/pulse; repetition rate of 10-15 Hz. The root canals were irradiated for 4 periods with a 20s breaks in between with the fiber stationary 1mm from the apical foramen, during 3s or from the apical to coronal surface in a continuous, circling fashion, with 2mm/s. Morphological changes were also observed by scanning electron microscopy.