Determination of Optimal Separation Times for Dual-Pulse SWEEPS Laser-Assisted Irrigation in Different Endodontic Access Cavities.

Background And Objectives: The purpose of this ex vivo study is to investigate whether it is possible to pre-determine and set the optimal separation times for the SWEEPS Er:YAG laser pulses pair during laser-assisted irrigation of endodontic root canals based on known lateral dimensions of the endodontic access cavities of different types of teeth.

Study Design/materials And Methods: As the optimal SWEEPS laser pulse pair separation for enhanced shockwave generation depends on the life-cycle of a single-pulse bubble, measurements of the oscillation time T of the Er:YAG laser-generated bubble were made in 23 different endodontic access cavities of different types of teeth progressively widened in three different steps, into larger cavities, for a total of 69 cavities of different shapes and sizes. Different fiber-tip geometries (flat and radial), laser pulse energies (10 mJ and 20 mJ) and depth of fiber-tip insertion (2 mm and 4 mm) were also investigated.