The Photobiomodulation Effect of 940nm Laser Irradiation on Enterococcus faecalis in Human Root Dentin Slices of Varying Thicknesses

Abstract

The main etiological factor of pulpal and periapical infections is the invasion of bacteria into the pulpal and endodontic systems.1 Successful treatment of these infections would require the removal and/or destruction of these microorganisms and create an effective coronal and apical seal to prohibit the reinfection of bacteria and influx of nutrients into the endodontic system. The ability of bacteria to penetrate deep into the dentin tubules and to form biofilms as well as the adhesion of certain bacteria to the dentin walls makes the destruction and removal of bacteria from the three-dimensional dentinal network a challenging task.2,3 Due to the complexity of this network, about 30%-45% of the root canal system escapes chemo-mechanical instrumentation4 as per the normal endodontic procedure with the dentist. Lasers have been used as an additional step to kill bacteria that could not be reached by chemo-mechanical instrumentation. Studies show that in favourable conditions, bacteria can penetrate to a depth of more than 1000 μm into the dentinal tubules.2 Numerous previous studies have been conducted to evaluate the bactericidal effect of various wavelengths of lasers, but most of these studies were conducted on dentine slices of 100, 300, 500, and 1000 μm.5-7 They were conducted with dentine samples up to 1000 μm, therefore limiting our understanding as to the effects of lasers and biocides, with one study beyond 2000 μm.8 This in vitro study aimed to compare the photobiomodulation effect of a 940 nm laser on Enterococcus faecalis through varying thicknesses of human root dentin slices.

Description

Keywords

Photobiomodulation, Dentine thickness, Enterococcus Faecalis, Laser, 940nm

Citation

Sher BM, Mulder R, Gutknecht N. The Photobiomodulation Effect of 940nm Laser Irradiation on Enterococcus faecalis in Human Root Dentin Slices of Varying Thicknesses. J Lasers Med Sci. 2021;12:e48. doi:10.34172/jlms.2021.48