Elimination of intracanal tissue and debris through a novel laser-activated system assessed using high-resolution micro-computed tomography: a pilot study

Introduction: 

Laser-activated irrigation to remove organic debris from canal isthmuses was investigated using x-ray microfocus computed tomographic imaging.

Methods: 

A total of 14 extracted human mandibular molars were used. The mesial canals were prepared using a standardized instrumentation protocol. Two groups (n = 7) underwent final irrigation using either standard needle irrigation (SNI) or photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS). After enlarging canals to 30/.06, canal volumes were reconstructed from micro-computed tomographic scans before and after irrigation to assess removal of organic tissue and inorganic debris by quantitative analysis of the superimposed volumes. Comparisons of the volumes were made using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey method, with statistical differences considered significant at the alpha = 0.05 level.

Results: 

Debris removal and an increase in root canal system volume for the laser-activated PIPS group was more significant (P < .001) than for the SNI group (P = .04). Irrigation using PIPS increased the canal volume and eliminated debris from the canal system 2.6 times greater than SNI.

Conclusions:

 Eliminating debris from complex canal spaces found in mandibular molars was achieved at a significantly greater level using laser-activated PIPS irrigation compared with SNI.