Comparative evaluation of antibacterial effects of Nd : YAG laser irradiation in root canals and dentinal tubules

The antibacterial effects of the Nd:YAG laser on contaminated root canals a nd dentinal tubules were observed as the aim of this study, The samples wer e inoculated with Streptococcus sanguis (NCTC 7853) and Prevotella intermed ia (NCTC 93336), and the effects of Nd:YAG laser were tested on these teeth . The specimens were lased with 1.8 W and 2.4 W Nd:YAG laser for 30 s, and the presence of bacteria in tubules was observed under light microscopy, Th e 1.8 W laser sterilized the tubules in 86.3% of sections inoculated with S , sanguis, whereas 2.4 W laser sterilized in 98.5% of the sections. Both la ser powers sterilized ail samples inoculated with P, intermedia. The scanni ng electron microscopic observations supported the light microscopic findin gs.