PRELIMINARY-REPORT ON THE APPLICATION OF PULSED CO(2) LASER-RADIATIONON ROOT CANALS WITH AGCL FIBERS - A SCANNING AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY

Fifteen maxillary central incisiors were treated in vitro with pulsed CO2 laser radiation (wavelength: 9.6-mum pulse duration:135-mus pulse energy:60 mJ energy density:12 J/cm 2) delivered by an AgCl fiber into the root canal. Preliminary results show opening of dentin tubules as well as fused areas of hydroxyapatite in the root canal after laser t reatment. Temperature measurement at the root surface showed that 40-d egrees-C was not exceeded. These preliminary results show the ability of this laser system to open dentin tubules and to fuse hydroxyapatite but further development in fiber technology is necessary to achieve p redictable results.