The Effect of Diode Laser With Different Parameters on Root Fracture During Irrigation Procedure.

The aim of this study is to compare the effect of a single diode laser application and agitation of EDTA with diode laser with different parameters at different time intervals on root fracture. Ninety mandibular incisors were instrumented except the negative control group. The specimens were divided randomly into 10 groups according to final irrigation procedure: (G1) non-instrumented; (G2) distilled water; (G3) 15% EDTA; (G4) ultrasonically agitated EDTA; (G5) single 1.5W/100 Hz Diode laser; (G6) single 3W/100 Hz Diode laser; (G7) 1.5W/100 Hz Diode laser agitation of EDTA for 20 s; (G8) 1.5W/100 Hz Diode laser agitation of EDTA for 40 s; (G9) 3W/100 Hz Diode laser agitation of EDTA for 20 s; and (G10) 3W/100 Hz Diode laser agitation of EDTA for 40 s. The specimens were filled, mounted in acrylic resin, and compression strength test was performed on each specimen. Statistical analysis was carried out using one way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests (P = 0.05). The statistical analysis revealed that there were statistically significant differences among the groups (P < 0.05). Laser-agitated irrigation with a 3W/100 Hz Diode laser for both 20 s and 40 s decreased the fracture resistance of teeth.

Effect of agitation of EDTA with 808-nm diode laser on dentin microhardness.

The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of agitation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) with diode laser at different agitation times on root dentin microhardness. Eighty-four specimens were divided randomly into seven groups, as follows: (1) distilled water, (2) 17% EDTA, (3) EDTA with 60 s ultrasonic agitation, (4) EDTA with 10 s laser agitation, (5) EDTA with 20 s laser agitation, (6) EDTA with 30 s laser agitation, and (7) EDTA with 40 s laser agitation. All of the specimens were irrigated with 5% NaOCl and distilled water except the distilled water group. Microhardness values were calculated before and after the procedures. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests. Statistically significant differences were determined between the distilled water and other groups. Also, statistically significant differences were observed between EDTA with 40 s laser agitation and EDTA, and EDTA with 10 and 20 s laser agitations. Ultrasonic agitation of EDTA affected microhardness of root dentin similar to EDTA (p > .05). All applications decreased the microhardness of root dentin when compared with distilled water. Agitation of EDTA with diode laser for 40 s caused more reduction in microhardness of root dentin when compared with EDTA.

Efficacy of different treatments of root canal walls on the pull-out bond strength of the fiber posts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different irrigation protocols, including laser, on the retention of the fiber-reinforced composite posts to root canal dentinal walls using pull-out tests. Root canals of 60 single-rooted human teeth were filled and post spaces were prepared. Finally, specimens were divided randomly into five groups, each consisting of 12 specimens as follows: 5% NaOCl (control group), 17% EDTA, ultrasonic with 17% EDTA, single 1.5-W Er:YAG laser application, and the combined use of Er:YAG laser and 17% EDTA. After the root canal procedures, fiber posts were cemented to the root canal. Pull-out tests were performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 2 mm/min. The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test (p = 0.05). Irradiation by the Er:YAG laser with/without EDTA positively affected the pull-out bond strength (p < 0.001). The pull-out strength was significantly higher in the ultrasonic group than that of the single irrigation with NaOCl or EDTA (p < 0.001). Er:YAG laser irradiation with/without EDTA enhanced the bond strength of fiber posts to root canal dentin walls. Additionally, ultrasonic-EDTA combination increased the bond strength.

Effects of post surface treatments including Er:YAG laser with different parameters on the pull-out bond strength of the fiber posts.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation under different power settings on the pull-out bond strengths of fiber-reinforced composite posts. The crowns of single-rooted 60 teeth were removed by separation and the root canals were cleaned and shaped. Root canals were filled and post spaces were prepared. Sixty fiber posts were divided into five groups according to surface treatment methods as follows: an untreated control group, a sandblasting-coated group, and three groups undergoing surface preparation with Er:YAG laser under three different power settings (150, 300, and 450 mJ at 10 Hz for 60 s at 100-µs pulse duration). After root canal procedures, fiber posts were cemented to the root canal. After all of the specimens were set, pull-out tests were performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 2 mm/min. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test (p < 0.05). The pull-out strength values ranged between 5.26 and 6.76 Mpa. The lowest values were observed in the groups without surface treatment. Surface treatment applied by 4.5-W Er:YAG laser increased the pull-out bond strength compared to the control group (p < 0.05). 4.5-W Er:YAG laser irradiation increased the pull-out bond strength of fiber posts to resin cement.

Push-out bond strength between composite core buildup and fiber-reinforced posts after different surface treatments.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different surface treatments on the pushout bond strength of fiber-reinforced posts to composite resin cores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five translucent glass fiber posts were divided into five groups according to surface treatment methods as follows: an untreated control group, a group coated with silicated alumina particles (Co-Jet system, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN), and three groups undergoing surface preparation with erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser under three different power settings (150, 300, and 450 mJ at 10 Hz for 60 sec at 100 µs duration). After surface treatment, fiber posts were built up to a dual cure composite resin core. All of the specimens were set and sectioned perpendicularly along the long axis of the post using a saw. Two discs (thickness of 2 mm) were obtained from each post-core sample; finally, each group consisted of 10 samples. For artificial aging, the specimens were stored in water (37°C) for 24 h and subjected to thermal cycling (5000 cycles, 5-55°C, and 30 sec dwell time). Pushout tests were performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The pushout pressure values were measured in MPa and analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) post-hoc test (p<0.05). Fiber post surface images were obtained using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The bond strength values ranged between 14,949 and 23,879 MPa. The lowest values were observed in the groups treated with the Er:YAG laser at 150 mJ. Irradiation by the Er:YAG laser at 450 mJ affected the bond strength significantly (p<0.05). After Co-Jet sandblasting, the bond strength increased relatively (19,184 MPa). CONCLUSIONS: Er:YAG laser irradiation enhanced the bond strength of fiber-reinforced posts to composite resin cores depending upon the power applied; Co-Jet sandblasting also increased the bond strength.

Effects of combined androgen blockade on bone metabolism and density in men with locally advanced prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether combined androgen blockade (CAB) produces any adverse effects on bone metabolism and mineral density in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 17 stage T4 prostate cancer patients treated with CAB and had no evidence of bone metastasis on bone scintigraphy. The mean duration of CAB and final total prostate specific antigen (PSA) level at the time of study were found at 28.5 +/- 15.9 (6-58) months and 0.39 +/- 0.5 (0.1-2) ngml, respectively. Twenty age and socioeconomically matched benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients were taken as the control group. Both groups were compared with regard to lumbar bone mineral density (LBD), femur bone mineral density (FBD) and serum parameters of bone metabolism namely calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), magnesium (Mg) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Bone mineral density was measured with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The mean FBD, LBD and serum Ca, P, Mg and ALP measurement of the patients treated with CAB were 0.85 +/- 0.1 g/cm2, 1.16 +/- 0.2 g/cm2, 9.1 +/- 0.3 mg/dl, 3.6 +/- 0.6 mg/dl, 1.95 +/- 0.14 mg/dl, 187.5 +/- 61 mg/dl, respectively. No significant difference was found between patients subjected to CAB and the age matched controls in any of the studied parameters namely age, FBD, LBD, Ca, Mg and ALP except serum phosphate. Serum phosphate levels were significantly (p = 0.001) higher in patients treated with CAB suggesting a minor effect of CAB on bone metabolism. CONCLUSION: No convincing evidence was found about the detrimental effect of CAB on bone mineral density and metabolism in a highly selected group of patients with advanced prostate cancer without bone metastases.