In vivo efficacy of various retrofills and of CO2 laser in apical surgery

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to radiographically assess the efficacy of various retrofilling materials and of the use of CO2 laser in apical surgery. The mandibular premolars of six beagle dogs were infected, resulting in periapical lesions. Apical surgery was performed without root canal treatment. Amalgam with cavity varnish, glass ionomer cement and a lightcured composite resin were the retrofilling materials used. In half of the material CO2 laser was used on the root surface and the bone, for occlusion of the dentinal tubuli and sterilization. The healing following surgery was observed radiographically for six months. The highest success rate (89%) was found in the roots retrofilled with amalgam and varnish, and the lowest (60%) in those retrofilled with the composite resin. The difference between these groups was statistically significant. The success rate following retrofilling with glass ionomer cement was 69%, and was not significantly different from both the other groups. Under the conditions of this study, the use of CO2 laser during surgery did not affect the treatment results.