Morphologic changes following in vitro CO2 laser treatment of calculus-ladened root surfaces
✍ Scribed by Tucker, Daniel; Cobb, Charles M.; Rapley, John W.; Killoy, William J.
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1996
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 966 KB
- Volume
- 18
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0196-8092
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✦ Synopsis
Background and Objective:
The purpose of this study was to compare morphologic changes following C 0 2 laser or manual curette treatment of calculus-ladened tooth root surfaces. Study DesignlMaterials and Methods: Laser treatment consisted of repeated single passes with a 6 Watt focused beam at 20 pulses per second, a pulse length of 0.01 second, and a manufacturer's laser efficiency rating of 86% tie., the amount of total power delivered through the aperture). The rate of beam passage over the target surface was controlled at 4 mdsecond using an 0.8 mm diameter tip. The calculated energy density was 240 J/cm2 for each pass of the beam. Scaled and root planed surfaces were treated with a standardized force of 600 grams using new curettes. Specimens were evaluated by scanning electron micros-
COPY.
Results: Laser-induced surface changes included charring, meltdown and resolidification of calculus mineral, and ablation of microbial plaque. Laser-treated specimens also exhibited residual calculus and microbial plaque deposits in areas directly adjacent to the beam path. Scaled and root planed surfaces featured smooth and/or scalelike smear layers and islands of residual calculus and microbial plaque.
Conclusion:
The rough surface topography resulting from laser treatment and residual calculus and microbial plaque deposits indicates that C 0 2 laser treatment of exposed root surfaces is, at best, an adjunct to traditional methods of therapy.