ISSN: 2456-8090 (online)
DOI: 10.26440/IHRJ/0606.09481
SUCHETA THAKUR 1, SARYU BAKSHI 2
Cite this article as: Thakur S, Bakshi S. Laser Assisted Root Canal Treatment: A Review. Int Healthc Res J. 2022;6(6):RV1-RV3. https://doi.org/10.26440/IHRJ/0606.09481
Author Affiliations:
Contact Corresponding Author at: thakursucheta96[at]gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Complexity of root canal system leads to failure of endodontic therapy so to address this issue lasers have been investigated as an adjunctive. Lasers has been used in direct irradiation of root canal or adjunct to irrigants placed into the canals. Laser assisted root canal therapy has more benefits than traditional root canal therapy. It ensures complete sterilization of root canal.
KEYWORDS: Lasers, Root Canal Therapy, Photoacoustic, Disinfection, Benefits
INTRODUCTION
RCT or root canal therapy is a dental procedure that is performed to treat the pulp of an infected tooth. Laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers work by emitting intense, focused light energy, the specific properties of which can interact with living tissue. Hard tissue lasers (Er: YAG, Er, Cr: YSGG) are used to cut tooth structure, while soft tissue lasers (diode, CO2, Argon and Nd: YAG) are used to clean and disinfect canals.1
WHAT IS LASER ASSISTED RCT
This is a procedure where a laser is used to assist the RCT. This is a more safe and effective method than traditional procedures. A laser is used to clean and sterilize the root canal and burn away the remaining tissue, which helps in increasing the success rate of the root canal treatment.2
TRADITIONAL RCT VS LASER ASSISTED RCT
The result of root canal treatment is based on effective disinfection of the root canal and is outlined in table 1.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
In endodontics, lasers use photothermal and photomechanical effect. In photothermal interaction due to laser irradiation there is rise in temperature which causes denaturation of proteins, increased mitochondrial membrane permeability and ultimately vaporization.3
Photomechanical (photo acoustic) interaction causes the generation of shock waves produced due to pulse-laser interaction. When laser energy is stored in tissue as heat, there is thermoplastic tissue expansion which yields stress. If a pulse is very short the stresses are concentrated in a small region generating very high stresses which can propagate into tissue more intensely and cause physical cellular damage or spallation which is emission of material fragments due to stress that removes surface layers of tissue.4
BENEFITS OF LASER ASSISTED RCT5
DISADVANTAGES
TYPES OF LASERS AND ITS USES6
The types of lasers and its uses in depicted in table 2.
Alternate link to tabes/figures (copy/paste link in anew browser window): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AXowgxbR9YFllvGk4Dh0JwZ2VDqdnpQ4/view?usp=sharing
DELIVERY SYSTEM
The emitted energy can be delivered into the root canal system by:-
COST OF LASER ASSISTED RCT
The cost of laser root canal treatment in India ranges from 5,000 to 15,000 rupees. However, prices vary based on multiple factors such as the severity of the condition, the location of the teeth, the doctor's experience, the location and the type of hospital.
CONCLUSION
After several decades of research, the evolution of laser technology at this period of time is in a high degree of refinement. With the introduction of thinner, more flexible and durable laser fibres, its use in endodontics has enormously increased. The New laser system is focusing on upgrading the existing delivery system and fibre type.
Its improved antiseptic efficacy, more effective root canal irrigation, reduced permeability, reduced microleakage, and elimination of the need to use toxic solvents are major benefits for dentists.
REFERENCES
© Sucheta Thakur et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY-NC 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the use is not commercial and the original author(s) and source are cited.
Submitted on: 15-May-2022; Accepted on: 02-Sep-2022