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. 2021 May 4;14(9):2387.
doi: 10.3390/ma14092387.

Use of the Er:YAG Laser in Conservative Dentistry: Evaluation of the Microbial Population in Carious Lesions

Chiara Valenti  1 , Stefano Pagano  1 , Silvia Bozza  2 , Enrico Ciurnella  2 , Giuseppe Lomurno  3 , Benito Capobianco  1 , Maddalena Coniglio  1 , Stefano Cianetti  1 , Lorella Marinucci  4
Affiliations

Use of the Er:YAG Laser in Conservative Dentistry: Evaluation of the Microbial Population in Carious Lesions

Chiara Valenti et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the Erbium:Yttrio-Aluminum-Granate (Er:YAG) laser photothermal and mechanical effects on cariogenic species concentration and on the microbial load composition of therapeutic cavities, in order to evaluate the possible micro-organisms reduction and make a comparison with manual and rotating conventional therapy (CT). A clinical trial was designed, including adults with active deep carious lesions on permanent teeth who were divided into two groups, i.e., control group and intervention group treated with CT and Er:YAG therapy, respectively. Before and after any conservative treatment, two oral samples were collected using a small sterile microbrush scrubbed within the base of the dentinal cavity tissue. The percentage of reduction and the colony-forming units (CFUs) count after Er:YAG and conventional treatments were compared for total microorganisms, including Candida spp., Streptococcus spp., and Lactobacillus spp. The microbial reduction varied from 90.2% to 100% and was significantly observed for total microorganisms and Streptococcus spp. (p < 0.05). The Er:YAG laser shows the potential for clinical applications, especially with paediatric and complicated patients, thanks to its minimally invasive properties and its effect on the reduction of microbial load.

Keywords: Er:YAG laser; cariogenic species; conservative dentistry; oral microbiome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Overview of the sampling and treatment procedures for both groups:(A) control group; and (B) intervention group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Preparation for colony typing on an MALDI TOF mass spectrometer.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Difference in gram-positive and gram-negative colonies growth after Er:YAG treatments (right) vs. CT (left). Pre CT: pre-treatment with conventional therapy; post CT: post-treatment with conventional therapy; pre Er:YAG: pre-treatment with laser therapy; post Er:YAG: post-treatment with laser therapy.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Difference in Candida albicans (C. albicans) colonies growth after Er:YAG treatments (right) vs. CT (left). Pre CT: pre-treatment with conventional therapy; post CT: post-treatment with conventional therapy; pre Er:YAG: pre-treatment with laser therapy; post Er:YAG: post-treatment with laser therapy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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