Explaining the working mechanism of laser-activated irrigation and its action on microbial biofilms: A high-speed imaging study.

Aim: Laser-activated irrigation (LAI) using pulsed erbium lasers has been studied with regard to canal cleaning, but its working mechanism remains poorly understood. This study sought to unravel the method of action of LAI and to assess its effect on bacterial biofilms in a root canal model, by means of high-speed imaging.

Methodology: A root canal model consisting of dentine and glass walls was used.

Model system parameters influence the sodium hypochlorite susceptibility of endodontic biofilms.

Aim: To evaluate in a laboratory setting the influence of several model system parameters on the sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) susceptibility of endodontic biofilms. Based on these findings, a relevant in vitro endodontic biofilm model is proposed.

Methodology: In vitro biofilms were cultured, varying the following experimental model parameters: biofilm composition (monospecies Enterococcus faecalis and a multispecies biofilm including E.

Efficacy of different irrigation technique in simulated curved root canals.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the canal curvature on the efficacy of sonically, ultrasonically, and laser-activated irrigation in removing a biofilm-mimicking hydrogel (BMH) from simulated canal irregularities. Transparent resin blocks containing a curved root canal (40° or 60°) were used as test models. A 4-mm groove at 1 mm from the apex was filled with BMH.