Oblena, Jane Dianne C.

LASER

Used to vaporize tissues in the main canal, remove the smear layer
and eliminate the residual tissue
Efficacy depends on many factors including the power level, the
duration of exposure, the absorption of light in the tissue, the
geometry of the root canal and the tip-to-target distance.

DISADVANTAGES
potential damage to the root canal wall dentin
overheating of the root and periodontium
access around the canal curvatures
size of the laser tip
TYPES OF LASER

diode laser - were used for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity

gas laser (CO2) used to create craters in dentin
reduced dentin hypersensitivity by occluding or
narrowing the dentinal tubules
erbium: YAG laser, fl uid in the canal instantly vaporized (1 s) next to
the laser tip.
neodymium: YAG laser
Er,Cr:YSGG (erbiumchromium-yttrium-scandium-garnett) laser
immediate fluid movement after each laser pulse and cavitation effects
was visualized (expansion and implosion of gas bubbles)

(D) Using Er:YAG laser irradiation

for cleaning of the root canal system. The RCLase
Side-Firing Spiral Tip is introduced to the
root canal after biomechanical preparation of the
root canal with nickel-titanium (ProTaper)
files was completed.

PHOTO ACTIVATED DISINFECTION

has been introduced in order to minimize or eliminate residual bacteria

in the root canal.
not only effective against bacteria, but also against other
micro-organisms
gave a strong reduction of the number of viable endodontic
pathogens both in planktonic suspension and in root canals
employs a non-toxic dye (photosensitizer) and low intensity
visible light

PHOTOSENSITIZER
watery solution of toluidine blue O (TBO)
attaches to the membranes of microorganisms and binds itself
to their surface
absorbs energy from the light and then releases this energy to
oxygen (O2)

When NaOCl use was followed by UV light, 96% of cases achieved

negative cultures, and this status was maintained after 14 days.
PHOTO ACTIVATED DISINFECTION
PAD has been introduced in order to minimize or eliminate residual
bacteria in the root canal. It is not only effective against bacteria,
but also against other micro-organisms including viruses, fungi, and
protozoa. It gave a strong reduction of the number of viable
endodontic pathogens both in planktonic suspension and in root
canals. PAD technique employs a non-toxic dye (photosensitizer)
and low intensity visible light.
Fighting biofilm-mediated localized human infections is one of the
potential medical applications of LAT. LAT has the advantage of dual
selectivity. The low-intensity light and the nontoxic photosensitizer
generally used in LAT are harmless. Because of the wide spectrum
of antimicrobial activity, instant bacterial killing, and ability to
target biofilm bacteria, the application of LAT-based regimens has
great promise in root canal disinfection.
Photosensitizer
Photosensitizer is a watery solution of toluidine blue O (TBO) that
attaches to the membranes of microorganisms and binds itself to
their surface. It absorbs energy from the light and then releases
this energy to oxygen (O2).

Reference:
http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jdms/papers/Vol13-issue6/Version5/B013650408.pdf
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S010364402016000100003
Cohens Pathways of the Pulp by Louis H. Berman, Kenneth M.
Hagreaves, Steven R. Cohen, p. 259

IntraLight Ultraviolet Disinfection

Ultraviolet (UV) light is widely used for disinfection purposes.
IntraLight consists of an intra-canal UV illuminator shaped with
dimensions of an endodontic file, which allows uniform
circumferential illumination of the root canal walls with 254 nm UV
light. A wide range of bacteria is sensitive to 254 nm UV light,
including those that are resistant to Ca(OH). The device is used as a
supplemental disinfection after NaOCL irrigation in the canal.
Otherwise, bacteria in the inner layers of thick biofilms may be
protected from the UV light, which is absorbed by bacteria in the
outer layers.
Reference:
Cohens Pathways of the Pulp by Louis H. Berman, Kenneth M.
Hagreaves, Steven R. Cohen, pp. 259-260