Solutes in water affect the primary cavitation bubble generated by a pulsed erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser.

Laser-activated irrigation (LAI) of root canal systems depends on the generation of cavitation bubbles in the endodontic irrigant. Physical studies thus far focused on pulse energy, pulse length, frequency, and fiber tip shape, mostly in plain water. This study investigated the effect of endodontically relevant molecules (sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), and their combination) in water on physical properties of the resulting solution, and their impact on primary cavitation bubble features.

Principle and antimicrobial efficacy of laser-activated irrigation: A narrative review.

In the last two decades, the activation of root canal irrigants with pulsed lasers as an adjunct in root canal treatment has become increasingly popular. This narrative review explains the physical basics and the working mechanism of laser-activated irrigation (LAI), explores the parameters influencing LAI efficacy, considers historical evolutions in the field and summarizes laboratory and clinical evidence with emphasis on the antimicrobial action of LAI. Cavitation is the driving force behind LAI, with growing and imploding vapour bubbles around the laser tip causing various secondary phenomena in the irrigant, leading to intense liquid dynamics throughout the underlying root canal.

A 22-year follow-up cross-sectional study on periapical health in relation to the quality of root canal treatment in a Belgian population.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and the technical standard of root canal treatment in a Belgian population, assess the association of different variables with periapical status, and compare the results to a similar study conducted 22 years previously.

Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 614 panoramic radiographs of first-time adult attendees at the Dental School of the University Hospital of Ghent were examined. Recorded patient-level parameters included gender, age, number of teeth, number of root filled teeth, presence of any AP lesion, and number of implants.

Comparative efficacy of materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Different materials have been used for capping the pulp after exposure during caries removal in permanent teeth. The purpose of this study was to collate and analyze all pertinent evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on different materials used in patients undergoing pulpotomy or direct pulp capping in carious teeth.

Materials And Methods: Trials comparing two or more capping agents used for direct pulp capping (DPC) or pulpotomy were considered eligible.

Effectiveness of adjunct therapy for the treatment of apical periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Adjunct therapy refers to any intracanal procedure going beyond chemomechanical preparation with instruments and traditionally delivered irrigants (excluding interim dressings). It is not clear whether and which of these adjunct therapies have a significant impact on the outcome of root canal treatment [healing of apical periodontitis (AP) and other patient-related outcomes].

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to analyse available evidence on the effectiveness of adjunct therapy for the treatment of AP in permanent teeth, according to a population, intervention, comparison, outcome, time and study design framework formulated a priori by the European Society of Endodontology.