Thermal effects and antibacterial properties of energy levels required to sterilize stained root canals with an Nd:YAG laser.

Thermal effects and antibacterial properties of an Nd:YAG laser were studied to establish clinically safe levels of energy to deliver into the root canal and to determine the energy level needed to sterilize infected root canals. The results indicate that lasing cycles of 3 J-s for 15 s followed by a 15-s recovery interval can be continued for prolonged periods without risk of thermal damage to surrounding tissues. In vitro lasing of root canals inoculated with dark stained bacteria showed that two such lasing cycles sterilized only two out of eight canals, whereas when four cycles were used seven out of eight canals were sterilized. Guidelines for energy levels in endodontic Nd:YAG laser work are discussed, and base data for calculating appropriate energy levels are given.