engleski

Removal of the root canal filling using Nd:YAG laser

Inadequate obturation of the root canal space was found to be the most frequent cause of the failure after root canal treatment. The main goal of retreatment is to completely remove the original root canal obturation material. Removal of such fillings could be difficult and time consuming, and carries a risk of procedural mistake. After the development of ruby laser in 1960, various types of lasers have been employed during dental tretment. In the endodontic field, Nd:YAG laser has been used for desensiting hypersensitive dentin, preparing and sealing the apical cavity during apicectomy, shaping and cleaning root canals, and removing debris and the smear layer from the canal wall. Argon, Nd:YAG and carbon dioxide laser can be used for removing the gutta-percha and sealer. Nd:YAG laser (neodymium: yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser) has wavelenghts of 1064 nm and is almost transparent to water but absorbed in pigmented tissue and hemoglobin. This laser operates with puls duration of 125-160 ms, pulse repetition rate of 10-100 Hz, and energy ranging from 0.5 to 8 W. The laser beam is delivered via a 200 to 400 nm fiberotic system which is equivalent to a No. 20-40 file. Optical fiber allows better accessibility to different areas, including root canal. A red diode with a wavelight of 670 nm and energy of 1 mV was used to aim the beam. The heating effect of the laser beam and because of the absorption of energy in pigments this type of laser is suitable for removing a root canal filling. Also, heating by laser could be a simple way to heat some chemical solvents, which are more effective at higher temperature.

Nd:YAG laser; retreatment

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