ADVANTAGES OF A PULSED CO2-LASER IN DIRECT PULP CAPPING - A LONG-TERMIN-VIVO STUDY

Background and Objective: A previous study [Moritz et al., Z Stomatol 1996; 93:451-454] had shown that favourable results in direct pulp cap ping could be achieved using a continuous wave CO2 laser in addition t o the conventional calcium hydroxide dressing technique. In this study , these results are compared to those achieved using a CO2 laser worki ng in superpulsed mode. Study Design/Materials and Methods: A total of 260 direct pulp capping procedures were carried out; 130 were perform ed with a superpulsed CO2 laser, followed by a calcium hydroxide dress ing, and 130 conventionally by applying only a calcium hydroxide prepa ration. Recall examinations were performed after 1 week and monthly fo r 18 months after treatment. A final examination was carried out 2 yea rs after treatment. Thermal tests were used for vitality assessments a nd laser Doppler flowmetry for direct measurement of pulpal blood flow . Results: In the group of pulps treated with the superpulsed CO2 lase r, the last recall examination at 2 years revealed that 93% of the tee th had remained vital. In the control group, the success rate was cons iderably lower (66.6%). Exposure site sizes and average patient age we re nearly identical in both groups. Conclusion: The CO2 laser seems to be a valuable aid in direct pulp capping; the efficiency of laser tre atment can be increased by using a pulsed CO2 laser. (C) 1998 Wiley-Li ss, Inc.