DEMINERALIZING AGENTS VERSUS ER: YAG LASER IRRADIATION EFFECT ON ROOT SURFACE DEMINERALIZATION:A SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY.

Context:- To make root surfaces conducive for periodontal regeneration the use of additional chemical protocols (Root conditioning) after scaling and root planning is important for the removal of smear layer formed after the basic therapy. Aims:- The purpose of present study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of Erbium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation with EDTA, Citric acid and Tetracycline hydrochloride for removal of smear layer and exposure of dentinal tubule orifices. Methods and Material:- 75 freshly extracted periodontally involved single rooted teeth were collected. And randomly divided into 5 treatment groups having 15 teeth each: Control group (0.9% Normal saline), EDTA 24% ( pH 7.4), Tetracycline hydrochloride (500mg/5ml pH 1.8),Citric acid (pH 1), Er:YAG laser 2.94µm at 80mJ repetition rate of 10 Hz for 250 microsecond (short pulse) and fluency of each pulse 10.3J/cm2.Specimens were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photographs were assessed by a single examiner who was blinded to the study. Parameters were assessed by Sampaio et al index (2005) and the results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results:- Er:YAG Laser irradiation showed non-significant results when compared to Control group and significant to Tetracycline hydrochloride. EDTA and Citric acid showed highly significant results compared to other groups but showed non-significant results when compared with each other Conclusions:- In our study Er:YAG laser was not very effective in removal of smear layer and opening of dentinal tubules, EDTA and Citric acid showed similar and better efficacy in root surface biomodification as compared to other groups.